Improving Window Switching Interfaces

Type of content
Conference Contributions - Published
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Computer Science and Software Engineering
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2009
Authors
Tak, S.
Cockburn, A.
Humm, K.
Ahlstroem, D.
Gutwin, C.
Scarr, J.
Abstract

Switching between windows on a computer is a frequent activity, but current switching mechanisms make it difficult to find items. We carried out a longitudinal study that recorded actual window switching behaviour. We found that window revisitation is very common, and that people spend most time working with a small set of windows and applications. We identify two design principles from these observations. First, spatial constancy in the layout of items in a switching interface can aid memorability and support revisitation. Second, gradually adjusting the size of application and window zones in a switcher can improve visibility and targeting for frequently-used items. We carried out two studies to confirm the value of these design ideas. The first showed that spatially stable layouts are significantly faster than the commonly-used recency layout. The second showed that gradual adjustments to accommodate new applications and windows do not reduce performance.

Description
"A" Ranked conference in Australasian ERA.
Citation
Tak, S., Cockburn, A., Humm, K., Ahlstroem, D., Gutwin, C., Scarr, J. (2009) Improving Window Switching Interfaces. Uppsala, Sweden: INTERACT 2009: 12th IFIP TC13 Conference on Human Interaction, 24-28 Aug 2009. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LCNS), 5727/2009, Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2009, 187-200.
Keywords
window switching, revisitation patterns, spatial constancy
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
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