The article sets out a few key moments, which should be considered when developing software for terminals. Under a terminal in this document should be understood payment kiosks, self-service kiosks, internet access kiosks.

The User Interface

The system users mostly are not very much advanced in contemporary technologies. For over a number of years terminals have been equipped with touch screens. Owing to such screens, people feel at ease and can promptly select necessary items via the screen menu. In other words when developing a system we shall select a touch screen as the input and data display device. For simple systems, a 15-inch screen is quite enough. For a system with a more complex and advanced interface – 17-inch displays would be a better choice.

Which Technology to Choose for UI

There are several options. The most common are Flash and HTML in a browser (browser in the full-screen mode or IE Active X). Flash + Celeron 1.7 GHz are enough for a payment terminal. However, for dynamic games like “one-handed bandit” such technologies are no good. (more…)