Task Launcher

Contributors

The task launcher is an integral part of the modern operating system. It accelerates and aids in the launching of applications and the opening of files. Task launchers improve the overall efficiency of the user, most modern operating systems come with a native task launcher, while there are also third party task launchers. Task launchers are the starting point for most GUIs, making them the conerstone of the modern operating system. As task launchers advance, adding voice recognition like Cortana and Siri, we move closer to the ultimate User Interface. A UI that is immersive and natural, allowing seamless human-computer interaction.

Typical Appearance

Task Launchers frequently appear as a dock at one of the edges of the screen (in accordance with Fitts' Law), often in the form of unlabeled images. Task Launchers also frequently include a text field, or search box.

Typical Behavior

Generally implemented as a graphical menu of sorts, the task launcher's primary goal is to allow the user to initiate tasks, most frequently, by launching applications. The secondary goal is to improve the speed in which the user is able to perform such tasks. Task launchers are made to increase efficiency and boost the user's satisfaction. Another goal of task launchers is to improve the learnability of a given operating system. The task launcher, depending on the type may have built in search capabilities that enhance and improve the learnability of the entire system.

State Diagram

Below is a generalized state diagram that applies to most task-launchers. It is by no means exhaustive, only illuminating the broad strokes of task launching

General State Diagram of Task Launchers

Events

During the use of a task launcher, the user is required to click on the image of a desired file or application. Once the text input is received the task launcher performs one of three actions:
1. Opens the desired file
2. Launches the application
3. Responds with a message that states "file/application not found"

Component in Action

Ubuntu 12.04

The following video demonstrates the use of the Ubuntu task launcher at 00:19.

As you can see in the clip, the dock on the left side of the screen launches applications. The first launch is completed by clicking one of the icons, in this instance Google Chrome. The second launch of an application utilizes the secondary launcher, which includes a list of recently launched apps, as well as a search bar for textual input. The Ubuntu task launcheer mirrors Windows 10 in the use of the Operating System logo to open another task launcher.

Variants

Some task launchers are a search box, which take a text input, that give either a text response or a task response (i.e. the launching of an application). Others have their own windows and act as applications. Generally, third-party task launchers are more likely to open separate windows than native task launchers. A task launcher's capabilities are susceptible to change as well. Some third-party launchers support workflows as well as web searches and password storage.

Spotlight Launching Terminal

Alfred3 Task Launcher Using an integration with Slack

Priority Metrics

Satisfaction

The Satisfaction of the user is critical to the task launcher's success. An operating system with a slow task launcher will not be very successful. The user is the most important part of the OS and if the user is unhappy, they may just switch operating systems.

Efficiency & Learnability

The efficiency and learnability of a task launcher are the most relevant metrics to the satisfaction of the user. The efficiency ensures that the users needs are met as quickly as possible. The learnability ensures that any user can use the task launcher and understand its uses and capabilities and that the user can have initial interactions with the computer itself.

Memorability & Errors

Memorability and errors are not very relevant to the overall usability of a task launcher. The opportunity for errors is minimal, while the necessity for memorability is almost nonexistent given that task launchers are used almost every time a computer is used.

Key Characteristics

Good task launchers are fast and easy to use. The best task launchers are intuitive. You tell it what you want to do and it initiates the task. These goals make it clear that the learnability (intuitiveness) and efficiency (speed and ease of use) of a task launcher determine its success. The overall usability of a task launcher should be one of the best across all applications in an operating system. The task launcher is an integral part of portraying the mental model of the computer architecture to the user. It is the starting point for any modern human computer interface.

Platform-Specific Instances

Mac OS X

The Mac OS X task launcher has two components, the dock and spotlight. Spotlight has been a built-in feature in addition to the dock since Mac OS X 10.4. The efficiency and fluidity of the dock and spotlight are key features to its success as a task launcher.

Appearance

The dock is a collection of graphical representations of files and applications. Spotlight is a simple search box, it takes a text input and gives either a text response or a task response (i.e. the launch of an application).

Behavior

The dock allows for the immediate launch of any application or folder stored on it with a simple click. Spotlight requires keyboard input instead.

Events

During the use of a task launcher the user is required to type in the name of a desired file or application. Once the text input is received the task launcher takes one of three actions:
1. opens desired file
2. launches application
3. responds with a "file/application not found" message
when an application is in use, a dot appears underneath its icon on the dock.

Component in Action

Below is a tutorial on how to change the position of the dock. Initially it uses the dock to launch the system preferences application.

Variants

There are third-party task launchers that have been developed specifically for Mac OS X, namely "Alfred." Alfred includes many different features not included in spotlight or the dock; it can save your passwords, create workflows and even search the web.

Priority Metrics

Efficiency & Learnability

Mac OS X task launchers have a help application built in which increases their learnability by teaching the the user how to use the interface. Additionally the efficiency of the dock and spotlight is increased by built in shortcuts that can be accessed in any application.

Satisfaction

The satisfaction of the Mac task launchers is based on the speed and ease of use, or more specifically the efficiency and learnability. The user can always look to third-party applications in the case of Mac OS X.

Key Characteristics

Spotlight and dock allow for two different communications between the user and the operating system. The dock's immediacy and simplicity makes it a great option for the launching of everyday tasks. Spotlight's access to all applications and files stored on the system allows for the fast launch of applications and the opening of files that are note regularly accessed. It drastically decreases the overall time of launching applications not stored in the dock and creates a convenient shortcut to any location in the operating system.

Windows 10

The Windows 10 task launcher has three components, the start menu, the task bar, and optionally cortana. The Windows start menu has drastically changed over the past few years, maturing from Windows 7 and 8 into a more efficient and functional menu based system. Windows 10 prioritizes customization in its start menu, focusing on satisfaction.

Appearance

The start menu shows you a customizeable selection of tiles including a search bar and optionally cortana. The task bar displays a customized set of 'pinned' applications, along with all currently open applications.

Windows 10 Task Bar

Windows 10 Task Bar

Windows 10 Start Menu

Windows 10 Start Menu

Behavior

Windows 10 start menu has icons and search bar similar to a mac. It has much more customizeability. It allows the user to add, resize, and recolor applications. It also allows the user to resize the start menu itself. Windows 10 includes the use of Cortana, Windows' "personal assistant."

Events

During the use of a task launcher the user is required to type in the name of a desired file or application. Once the text input is received the task launcher takes one of four actions:
1. opens desired file
2. launches application
3. responds with a "file/application not found" message
4. responds with a list of web searches
When an application is launched, its icon appears on the taskbar. When a file is opened the appropriate application is launched and its icon appears on the taskbar. When the response is a web search you can click on an search and a new browser window will open

Component in Action

Variants

There are many different third party task launchers offered for Windows 10, each offering its own set of unique features. A popular launcher is Launchy. Launchy is a pure task launcher focusing on opening files and applications quickly (efficiently).

Priority Metrics

Satisfaction

The satisfaction of the Windows 10 task launcher is based more in customization than many other task launchers (focused on the speed and ease of use). In terms of usability metrics, the efficiency is heavily prioritized over learnability. The settings are not intutive and there are many features available that most users overlook. However, experienced users will be very satisfied with the ability to place exactly what they want where they want with little limitation.

Efficiency

The Windows 10 task launcher has sacrificed some learnability for efficiency. This sacrifice makes the efficiency of the Windows 10 task launcher very important. Once the user has spent time learning how to manipulate the system, the user is able to very quickly perform an application or file launch. The user can also customize the task launcher to meet their needs, making specific tasks more efficient but less learnable.

Learnability

Learnability is not totally ignored in the Windows 10 task launcher. The icons and labels make it easy for a first time user to navigate. The mental model of a start menu is, for many, a cornerstone of their first interaction with a computer. Windows 10's start menu follows the basics of that model, performing the same general purpose, while supplying many bells and whistles.

Key Characteristics

The Windows 10 start menu and task bar allow for the user to almost completely customize their interaction with the system. The complexity of the start menu makes it less learnable than many task launchers, but eventually makes up for it with quicker launch times (based on customizations). The start menu and task bar can contain shortcuts to files or applications and really make an app launch immediate. The ability to change the size of icons in the start menu takes advantage of Fitts's Law, as does the location of the task bar itself. Overall, the Windows 10 task launcher strives for usability through satisfaction and efficiency. Prioritizing customizability satisfies users and (depending on the user) allows some tasks to become more efficient.

Credits and References