Smart sticky widgets: Pseudo-haptic enhancements for multi-monitor displays

Abstract

Multi-monitor systems are becoming increasingly popular as a way for users to expand their display surface to facilitate multitasking. However, users may have difficulty accessing user interface elements on the borders of the displays, accidentally crossing over to neighbouring displays. We present a smart pseudo-haptic technique to enhance boundary widgets in multi-monitor systems. Our technique was compared to current desktop behaviour as well as to two other pseudo-haptic approaches. All three techniques significantly reduced crossover errors; however, our smart sticky technique also significantly reduced the time to acquire targets on the secondary monitor over the other sticky techniques and was strongly preferred by users. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.