Windowing versus Scrolling on a Visual Display Terminal

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the optimum mode of operation of the "scroll" keys on a visual display terminal. One mode involved "moving the data"; that is, pressing the "scroll up" key moved the data up, thus displaying data toward the end of the file. The other mode involved "moving the window"; pressing the "window up" key moved the window up, thus displaying data toward the beginning of the file. A total of 281 novice subjects were tested under a variety of experimental conditions. Results showed that in most cases, subjects in the window groups performed significantly faster and with significantly fewer moves than did subjects in the scroll groups. When allowed to "self-define" the system, a significant majority of the subjects defined the system to window. Explaining and demonstrating the appropriate concept had no significant effect on performance, nor did the use of key top graphic "scroll" figures.