Quantifying the Performance Effect of Window Snipping in Multiple-Monitor Environments

Abstract

Abstract. Snip is a tool that allows a user to constrict the view onto any window. We report on a controlled study of the snip tool in the context of a multiple-monitor environment. The study was designed based on observed user behavior in a field study of multiple-monitor users' snipping habits. Analysis provided results that indicate that users can expect to reference information approximately 15% to 30% faster from snipped windows than from non-snipped windows. Further, users need to pay only a small overhead cost to perform the snip operation. The result extends to other recently presented region-based interface tools that aim to assist multiple-monitor users interact effectively and employ additional monitor space for information-referencing activities.

Comparing usage of a large high-resolution display to single or dual desktop displays for daily work

“…Interaction techniques such as mudibo [13], QuickSpace [12], and window snipping [14] have been explored to facilitate dual-monitor use.…”

“…In case the user wants to use these menus or icons, moving the cursor over the top of the application for a few seconds would bring them up. Hutchings et al [14] describe a windows snipping technique to simply show the required part of a window. This technique could be useful in a large display environment.…”

Evaluation of learning environments for object-oriented programming: measuring cognitive load with a novel measurement technique

“…Its users mostly attended to the text-based materials, and they were not provided with the opportunity to build connections between graphical and text representation of OOP structures. As shown in the studies of Colvin, Tobler, and Anderson (2007) and Hutchings and Stasko (2007), the use of integrated screens in a learning environment provided the BlueJ users with more learning and application space. Consequently, BlueJ is thought to have complemented the cognitive processes effectively, that is, by selecting codes as relevant words from the text editor, presenting classes as pictures from the design interface, and organizing them into consistent verbal (code) and visual (class) representations.…”

WallTop: Managing Overflowing Windows on a Large Display

“…Small windows such as dialogues and toolbars may appear at unexpected positions when invoked . To ease the window management on dual or triple monitors, Hutchings and Stasko (2007b) developed the Snip technique, which allows a user to constrict the view onto any window, thus reducing the space needed to display information and resulting in fast information access. The mudibo system (Hutchings & Stasko, 2005, 2007a alleviates the problem of dialogues and toolbars appearing at unexpected locations by placing the invoked small windows in multiple locations Downloaded by [Karolinska Institutet, University Library] at 16:42 17 November 2014 simultaneously.…”