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The Design and Evaluation of a Diagonally Splitted Column to Improve Text Readability on a Small Screen

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Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Platforms and Techniques (HCI 2007)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 4551))

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Abstract

Most previous studies comparing paper and computer screen readability show that screens are less readable than paper. There are many factors that could affect the readability of computer screens. However, exactly what factors reduce reading performance on computer screens is not clear. Therefore, this study has tried to find an alternative way to improve the readability of screen displays. A novel suggestion is designed to give readers sense of rhythm by diagonally dividing up screen areas. The diagonal division layout was read significantly faster (24.4%) than a normal layout for 5.5 inches display of e-Book readers. For 3.5 inches display, it was read 13.0% faster. The reason why the total reading time was cut down by the diagonal division layout is that the right-upper part played a decisive role. The number of texts on each line is systematically decreased in the right-upper part. 31.6% of total reading time was shorten by the right-upper part. However, there were no significant differences in subjective satisfaction between the two layout conditions.

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Julie A. Jacko

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© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Kim, YJ., Lee, W. (2007). The Design and Evaluation of a Diagonally Splitted Column to Improve Text Readability on a Small Screen. In: Jacko, J.A. (eds) Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Platforms and Techniques. HCI 2007. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4551. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73107-8_43

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73107-8_43

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-73106-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-73107-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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