User learning and performance with marking menus

Abstract

A marking menu is designed to allow a user to perform a menu selection by either popping-up a radial (or pie) menu, or by making a straight mark in the direction of the desired menu item without popping-up the menu. Previous evaluations in laboratory settings have shown the potential of marking menus. This paper reports on a case study of user behavior with marking menus in a real work situation. The study demonstrates the following: First, marking menus are used as designed.When users become expert with the menus, marks are used extensively.However, the transition to using marks is not one way. Expert users still switch back to menus to refresh their memory of menu layout.Second, marking is an extremely efficient interaction technique. Using a mark on average was 3.5 times faster than selection using the menu. Finally, design principles can be followed that make menu item/mark associations easier to learn, and interaction efficient.

Introducing Transient Gestures to Improve Pan and Zoom on Touch Surfaces

“…They find the technique easy to learn, complementing standard techniques that they already know how to use. This suggests that the transient techniques are approachable for novice to intermediate users, and may serve as an easy transition to expert use [11].…”

“…transient pan should resemble standard pan) to facilitate a transition to expert-level behaviour through rehearsal of familiar, novice gestures [11].…”

People and Computers XVIII — Design for Life

“…This blossom help (described in Figure 7) also functions as a mechanism to support goal navigation and exploration. This help approach is an elaboration on the marking menu reported by Kurtenbach & Buxton [1994]. To improve the usability a function can be activated using the correct gesture or using a text label as a buttons.…”

“…Gestures were incorporated using simple gradient strokes to select a letter and simple meaningful gestures to access other functions, such as numbers and uppercase letters. To operate the keyboard (see Figure 10) the user makes very simple gradient gestures, as described by Kurtenbach & Buxton [1994]. To select a letter, a gradient stroke that starts over the selected button is performed.…”

Extending the Design Space of Tangible Objects via Low-Resolution Edge Displays

“…Prior studies showed that feedback can provide users with a better understanding of the system, facilitating a swift transition from novice to expert [14]. Yet most current tangibles are passive and do not provide any feedback on tangible interactions [22].…”