Reference Information
Title: UIMarks: Quick Graphical Interaction with Specific Targets
Author: Olivier Chapuis, Nicolas Roussel
Publisher: UIST' 10, October 3-6, 2010 New York
Summary
Pointer facilitation has been one of the most researched topics in HCI. This is because pointing is one of the most fundamental tasks one does on a computer. It can be argued that a very slight improvement in pointing techniques can result in a large efficiency gain. Despite being such a heavily researched field, few techniques have actually made it to any real systems. The reason for this is that most of these systems rely on target-awareness, that is, some knowledge about the size and position of the target is required to enhance the cursor.
Target-aware pointing techniques aim to provide quick access to specific targets. In this paper, the authors present UIMarks, a system designed to not replace, but supplement the current system of pointing. It is intended to facilitate access to graphical targets that one sets.
Essentially, one can set a mark, M1, on a tool of one's choice; upon activating the mark, the mouse will "click" M1 and return the cursor to its original position. Actions such as moving the cursor, moving and clicking, moving and double clicking can be taken.
At the end of the experiment, those participating were asked whether they felt UIMarks was easy or hard to use. It was based on a 5-point scale, (5) very fast/easy, to (1) very slow/difficult. For speed, there was a mean of 4.08 and for easiness, there was a mean of 3.92. This was very encouraging.
Discussion
The ubiquity of the mouse has led to so much research in this field. I understand the sentiments behind all of it, I'm just not sure how practical much of it is. I think you have to have the right kind of work flow to make use of this sort of research. There's not much that I do that is so repetitive that this sort of click automation would be useful.
Image: courtesy of the article.
Target-aware pointing techniques aim to provide quick access to specific targets. In this paper, the authors present UIMarks, a system designed to not replace, but supplement the current system of pointing. It is intended to facilitate access to graphical targets that one sets.
Essentially, one can set a mark, M1, on a tool of one's choice; upon activating the mark, the mouse will "click" M1 and return the cursor to its original position. Actions such as moving the cursor, moving and clicking, moving and double clicking can be taken.
At the end of the experiment, those participating were asked whether they felt UIMarks was easy or hard to use. It was based on a 5-point scale, (5) very fast/easy, to (1) very slow/difficult. For speed, there was a mean of 4.08 and for easiness, there was a mean of 3.92. This was very encouraging.
Discussion
The ubiquity of the mouse has led to so much research in this field. I understand the sentiments behind all of it, I'm just not sure how practical much of it is. I think you have to have the right kind of work flow to make use of this sort of research. There's not much that I do that is so repetitive that this sort of click automation would be useful.
Image: courtesy of the article.
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