Using mouse and keyboard under time pressure: preference, strategies and learning

Visually based point-and-click user interfaces have become very common. This increases the need to understand the mechanics in learning and using pointing devices in order to design appropriate human-computer interaction and thereby to help alleviate musculosketetal symptoms. The paper reports a study of preference, strategies and learning in using keyboard and mouse in a tracking task under time pressure. The keyboard was preferred by 11 out of 12 subjects due primarily to comfort, frustration, and visual strain. One of the most distinguishing features in favour of the keyboard was the opportunity to develop a working strategy facilitating learning.