Abstract One of the aspects that is commonly referred to when speaking of user-friendliness is the fact that users can adjust various settings to their own preference. In the case of sound this can be part of the reason that users turn the sound off after awhile.
Users tend to look for funny widgets that wear off.
That is why users in general should not determine what sounds will be applied in an interface. It is up to the developers to design auditory signals for specific applications. Over the last decade a group of researchers has focussed on the use of sound in human-computer interaction. Their work and findings are discussed in this paper culminating in the definition of guidelines that can be used when designing devices and applications. All Rights Reserved.