Graceful degradation of user interfaces as a design method for multiplatform systems

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces and describes the notion of graceful degradation as a method for supporting the design of user interfaces for multiplatform systems when the capabilities of each platform are very different. The approach is based on a set of transformational rules applied to a single user interface designed for the less constraint platform. A major concern of the graceful degradation approach is to guarantee a maximal continuity between the platform specific versions of the user interface. In order to guarantee the continuity property, a priority ordering between rules is proposed. That ordering permits to apply first the rules with a minimal impact on the multiplatform system continuity.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Theory

Keywords:
continuity, design, graceful degradation, multiplatform systems, multiple computing platforms