The widely cited studies on mouse vs. keyboard efficiency are completely bogus
Which is faster, keyboard or mouse? A large number of programmers believe that the keyboard is faster for all (programming-related) tasks. However, there are a few widely cited webpages on AskTog which claim that Apple studies show that using the mouse is faster than using the keyboard for everything and that people who think that using the keyboard is faster are just deluding themselves. This might sound extreme, but, just for example, one page says that the author has тАЬnever seen [the keyboard] outperform the mouseтАЭ. But it canтАЩt be the case that the mouse is faster for everything тАФ almost no one is faster at clicking on an on-screen keyboard with a mouse than typing at a physical keyboard. Conversely, there are tasks for which mice are much better suited than keyboards (e.g., aiming in FPS games). For someone without an agenda, the question shouldnтАЩt be, which is faster at all tasks, but which tasks are faster with a keyboard, which are faster with a mouse, and which are faster when both are used? You might ask if any of this matters. It depends! One of the best programmrers I know is a hunt-and-peck typist, so it's clearly possible to be a great programmer without having particularly quick input speed. But I'm in the middle of an easy data munging task where I'm limited by the speed at which I can type in a large amount of boring code. If I were quicker, this task would be quicker, and
The widely cited studies on mouse vs. keyboard efficiency are completely bogus
The debate between keyboard and mouse efficiency has been a topic of interest among programmers for years. Many believe that the keyboard is faster for all programming-related tasks. However, there are several widely cited webpages on AskTog that claim Apple studies show that using the mouse is faster than the keyboard for everything, and that those who think the keyboard is faster are deluding themselves. These claims have created confusion and debate in the tech community.
One of the most extreme examples is a page that asserts the author has "never seen [the keyboard] outperform the mouse." While this might sound extreme, it raises questions about the validity of these studies. In reality, it's highly unlikely that the mouse is faster for every task. For instance, typing on a physical keyboard is generally much quicker than clicking on an on-screen keyboard with a mouse. Conversely, there are tasks where mice excel, such as aiming in first-person shooter games.
For an unbiased observer, the question shouldn't be about which is faster at all tasks, but rather which tasks are faster with a keyboard, which are faster with a mouse, and which are faster when both are used. This nuanced approach acknowledges the unique strengths of each input method.
The relevance of this debate depends on the context. For example, one of the best programmers I know is a hunt-and-peck typist, demonstrating that great programming skills don't necessarily require exceptional typing speed. However, in tasks where speed is crucial, such as data munging, faster input can significantly impact productivity.
Consider a scenario where I'm working on an easy data munging task, limited by my typing speed. If I could type faster, the task would be completed more quickly. There are also tasks I don't do that I might tackle if I could navigate more efficiently. I can type at over 100 words per minute (wpm), which is decent, but I can speak at over 400 wpm and think even faster. Often, I'm rate-limited even when speaking, and typing is much worse. The half-second or one-second delays spent on navigation add up, slowing down the process.
When I first entered the tech industry, I had a mundane test/verification/QA role where my primary job was to triage test failures. Even before automating tasks, I could triage nearly twice as many bugs per day as other colleagues in the same role. This was due to my ability to quickly navigate and input data using the keyboard.
In conclusion, the widely cited studies on mouse vs. keyboard efficiency are not credible. The debate should focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each input method for specific tasks, rather than making absolute claims about their overall efficiency. By recognizing the unique advantages of keyboards and mice, and understanding when to use each, programmers can optimize their workflows and improve productivity.
