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- Browsing: Problems with mouse <sum10 1 10>
- =============================
-
- Many contemporary views of computer suggest mice are essential,
- especially for browsing hypertext. I disagree because:
-
- Speed - My typing is 10 times faster than clicking a mouse on
- displayed letters or selecting hypertext. <link05 1 9>
-
- Natural - People instinctively use the cursor control system adopted
- by word processors and HyperRez. <link05 1 10>
-
- Physical - The physical effort to move a mouse is magnitudes
- greater than pressing arrow keys. <link05 1 11>
-
- Mental - The hand-eye mental coordination required to locate, then
- click on a specified location is exhausting if compared to
- the Up/Dn arrows that automatically highlight each jump.
-
- Recall - The arrow selection approach includes memory of the
- position in the text of the previous jump, serving as
- an automatic place marker. These Left-arrow place markers
- are essential to systematic exploration of networks.
- (Press PgDn)
-
-
- Commentary
- ==========
-
- The benefits of arrow browsing also applies to graphic as well as
- textual information. With graphic information, I include 5-7 callouts
- (short descriptive text) using the Up/Dn arrows to highlight each in
- turn, and the Right arrow to select -- all easier and faster than using
- a mouse!
-
- Why are callouts so important?
-
- First. In eye-movement and readership studies, picture captions and
- callouts are the first elements noticed, and consequently a most
- important component in graphic information.
-
- Second. Callouts automatically identify both the purpose of and
- the important abstractions contained in the graphic information.
-
- Conclusion
- ==========
-
- I prefer arrows over mice for effective browsing of hypertext!