Computers need clear input — Computing, 4–6
A computer does not know what you mean from a vague gesture or word. It uses the information you give it, so a clearer input gives it a better chance of doing the right thing.
The device needs to know which one
When a device offers several things, your input must show which one you mean. A tap on one picture, a spoken word, or a key press can be the clue. The device does not see your whole intention; it receives a small signal and uses that signal to choose.
Why make the choice clear?
People can often guess what you mean from your face or the situation, but a computer has less context. Clear input solves the problem of guessing: it tells the device exactly which action or item to use. Buttons, labels, and separate choices were made to reduce wrong guesses.
Choose one of two sounds
There are two buttons: a cat and a dog. First, decide that you want the dog sound. Next, tap the dog picture, not the cat picture. Finally, listen for the bark. If you tap between them and hear nothing, the device did not receive a clear choice; try the dog button again.
Near is not the same as on
You may feel that a tap near a button should count, just as pointing near a toy can show what you mean to a person. A screen usually needs the touch to land inside the button’s area. If nothing happens or the wrong thing happens, check the exact place of the tap rather than blaming yourself.
Clear choices in real devices
A lift button, a music player, and a simple game all depend on clear choices. The picture or label helps you tell the device what you want, and the shape of the button gives your finger a target. This is why well-made controls are spaced out and named plainly.
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