Wimps and nerds
Abstract
Since the introduction of the Xerox Star computer and its more popular successor, the Apple Macintosh, the so-called WIMP interface has become predominant in software interfaces. In this paper we discuss the fact that the WIMP interface handles the physical, but not the cognitive interface to software. We propose to supplement the WIMP model of the physical interface with the NERD model of the cognitive interface. Like the WIMP model, the NERD model is designed to enhance interface consistency and to increase the power of the user while reducing cognitive load associated with the task.
Authors: Mark Chignell, John A. Waterworth
Published in: ACM SIGCHI Bulletin (1991)