Evaluation of Mouse, Rate-Controlled Isometric Joystick, Step Keys, and Text Keys for Text Selection on a CRT

TLDR

The study evaluates four devices for rapid text selection on a CRT display. The evaluation compares devices based on their selection speed. The mouse is fastest with the lowest error rates; its positioning time follows Fitts' Law with a slope close to other eye‑hand tasks, indicating near‑minimal achievable time, while key devices’ positioning time scales with the number of keystrokes. Reprint requests: Stuart K.

Abstract

Abstract Four devices are evaluated with respect to how rapidly they can be used to select text on a CRT display. The mouse is found to be fastest on all counts and also to have the lowest error rates. It is shown that variations in positioning time with the mouse and joystick are accounted for by Fitts' Law. In the case of the mouse, the measured Fitts's Law slope constant is close to that found in other eye-hand tasks leading to the conclusion that positioning time with this device is almost the minimal achievable. Positioning time for key devices is shown to be proportional to the number of keystrokes which must be typed. Additional informationNotes on contributorsSTUART K. CARD Reprint requests should be sent to Stuart K. Card, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, 3333 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304.