Human Computer interaction (HCI) and Interactive Systems Design are broad trends in the development of computer applications. These developments have created the comparatively recent problems associated with mass-market systems. They have also created many niche markets where the users are specialists in their particular field but have little or no interest in information technology.
Here are a few reasons why we should `bother' about HCI:
* Too often HCI is considered as an afterthought on the development process. As with most things in large projects, the later you leave it the worse it gets.
* If the interface is wrong then users suffer from high fatigue, stress, irritation, medical problems (backs, wrists, eyes). Clients suffer from high training costs, fast staff turnover, long learning periods and extented training. Developers suffer from poor customer reaction, high maintenance costs, penalty clauses and increased development costs.