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Partitioning Digital Worlds: Focal and
Peripheral Awareness in Multiple Monitor
Use
September 1, 2000
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Download PDF
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BibTex
Authors

Jonathan Grudin
Publication Type
TechReport
Pages
8
Number
MSR-TR-2000-94

Abstract

Related Info
Abstract
Software today does not help us partition our digital worlds effectively. We do it ourselves. This
field study of users of multiple monitors examines how people with a lot of display space
organize and arrange information. Their second monitors are not generally used as extra
workspace, they are used for secondary activities related to principal tasks, for peripheral
awareness of information that is not the main focus, and for easy access to resources. The second
monitor improves efficiency in ways that may be difficult to measure yet can have substantial
subjective effect. The study provides specific illustrations of shortcomings of today’s
systems and applications: The way we work online could be improved substantially at relatively
low cost.
Related Info
Related Files
 tr-2000-94.doc
Research Labs
 Microsoft Research Lab - Redmond
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