UsiXML

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UsiXML (USer Interface eXtensible Markup Language) is an XML-based markup language for defining user interfaces on computers.

User interface means by which a user interacts with and controls a machine

The user interface (UI), in the industrial design field of human–computer interaction, is the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. The goal of this interaction is to allow effective operation and control of the machine from the human end, whilst the machine simultaneously feeds back information that aids the operators' decision-making process. Examples of this broad concept of user interfaces include the interactive aspects of computer operating systems, hand tools, heavy machinery operator controls, and process controls. The design considerations applicable when creating user interfaces are related to or involve such disciplines as ergonomics and psychology.

Contents

UsiXML is a specification language for user interface design. It allows the designer to describe a user interface at different levels of abstraction. In other words, you can specify a UI in terms of: functionality (task analysis), the object it manipulates, or in a more concrete way, user interface.

Task analysis is the analysis of how a task is accomplished, including a detailed description of both manual and mental activities, task and element durations, task frequency, task allocation, task complexity, environmental conditions, necessary clothing and equipment, and any other unique factors involved in or required for one or more people to perform a given task.

The UsiXML language is currently being submitted for a standardisation plan to the W3C.

World Wide Web Consortium web standards organization

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web. Founded and currently led by Tim Berners-Lee, the consortium is made up of member organizations which maintain full-time staff for the purpose of working together in the development of standards for the World Wide Web. As of 29 May 2019, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has 444 members. The W3C also engages in education and outreach, develops software and serves as an open forum for discussion about the Web.

Another work with the same purpose is UIML. [1]

Tool support

There are plenty of tools that can be found for UsiXML. [2] They include: a translator from UsiXML specification to Flash (FlashiXML), a tool for drawing/sketching user interfaces (SketchiXML), a tool for task analysis (idealXML).

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References

  1. ↑ "UIML.org". Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2006-07-21.
  2. ↑ "UsiXML.org" . Retrieved 2007-01-21.
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