In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons.

Microsoft Mouse: Testing for Redesign

As part of the redesign of the Microsoft mouse by Matrix Product Design, a series of user tests were performed by ID Two. We used artificial tasks representative of typical mouse use allowing repeated measures of time and error.

The initial questions were about the impact on performance and preference of different mouse shapes, asymmetric buttons and moving the ball from the back to the front.

Use of mouse buttons

Two experimental tasks were designed to test use of multiple-button mice. In the first, number of errors made and time to complete subtasks were measured as subjects attempted to depress one, two, or three buttons under three sets of conditions. In the second, subjects were asked to indicate true or false either by pressing one of two different buttons or by clicking a single button one or two times. People tended to be faster and more accurate using different buttons than different numbers of clicks.

A morphological analysis of the design space of input devices

The market now contains a bewildering variety of input devices for communication from humans to computers. This paper discusses a means to systematize these devices through morphological design space analysis, in which different input device designs are taken as points in a parametrically described design space. The design space is characterized by finding methods to generate and test design points. In a previous paper, we discussed a method for generating the space of input device designs using primitive and compositional movement operators.

Differences in Movement Microstructure of the Mouse and the Finger-Controlled Isometric Joystick

This paper describes a study comparing the movement characteristics of the mouse and the velocity-control isometric joystick. These characteristics are called the microstructure of movement. The comparison found random variations in the velocity of the isometric joystick that make it hard to control. The study shows that the microstructure of movement can explain differences in performance among devices.

Source: Abstract

Introducing TactoWeb: A Tool to Spatially Explore Web Pages for Users with Visual Impairment

This paper introduces the TactoWeb tool. TactoWeb is a Web browser allowing users with visual impairment to explore Web pages using tactile and audio feedbacks. It is used in conjunction with the Tactograph device or the iFeel mouse. We first present a comparative study of existing tools that give users with visual impairment access to Web pages. The aim of this study is to identify the capabilities and limitations of these tools in order to define important features which are needed to improve navigation on the Web for users with visual impairment.

Benefits of alternative computer mouse designs: A systematic review of controlled trials

Prolonged use of a standard mouse is associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. This review provides professionals with in-depth analysis of the literature regarding the evidence behind the use of alternative computer mouse designs and their ability to reduce discomfort in mouse users, in addition to the potential effect of ergonomics training and forearm supports. Multiple data bases were searched by independent researchers to identify 17 high-quality controlled trials including varieties of acceptable mouse designs (vertical, slanted, upright, roller bar, biofeedback and others).

Usability Evaluation of Slanted Computer Mice

Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders is supported by use of slanted rather than horizontal pointing devices, but user acceptance of the former may be compromised due to lower perceived ease of use. This study compares subjectively rated usability (N = 37) for three sizes of slanted computer mice and includes a horizontal small conventional device as a reference. For a random subset of the sample (n = 10), objective usability parameters were also elicited.

Design Criteria of an Ergonomic Mouse Computer Input Device

The rapid growth of graphical user interfaces on personal computers has led to the mouse input device playing a prominent and central role in the control of computer applications. As their use increases, mouse design and comfort issues are becoming more and more critical. This report describes the ergonomic design criteria and resulting product attributes of a commercially successful mouse computer input device. Although well-founded ergonomic principles were incorporated into the design criteria, very little ergonomic research has been published on the design of mice.

The multi-modal integrative mouse: a mouse with tactile display

In natural situations, we can obtain sensory information in different modalities such as visual, auditory and tactile from an object. The human-computer interface with a mouse can give us both visual and kinesthetic information. However, the tactile information that occurs when we touch an object in a natural situation is not available from a mouse. In psychophysical studies, it has been shown that tactile information added to visual information helps to increase the velocity of finger movements and reduces the dependence on vision.