Computer Input Devices: Quantification of Use and Variation in Use

A computer usage monitor (software odometer) was used to collect information on computer input device usage (keystrikes, mouse clicks and movement, and duration of input activity) from 27 professionals, for an average of 17 working days, each. Data from an odometer provides a more extensive means of describing and exploring computer use than more traditional methods, such as self-report of average use in response to a survey question. Further, by collecting data for an extended period of time, considerable day to day variation in computer use was found within subjects. This confirmed the necessity for collecting such data over an extended period of time, and illustrates one of the benefits of the use of software odometers over, or in conjunction with, self-reported usage information via surveys or diaries, or work sampling accomplished through direct observation.