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  • IJHCS-DataTransfer-AuthorManuscript

    Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 132, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2019.08.005

    Accepted author manuscript, 333 KB, PDF document

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Data transfer: A longitudinal analysis of clipboard and drag-and-drop use in desktop applications

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/12/2019
<mark>Journal</mark>International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
Volume132
Number of pages9
Pages (from-to)112-120
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date19/08/19
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Data transfer within and between desktop applications facilitates efficient data-centric tasks on modern computer operating systems. This data can be transferred via the clipboard (cut, copy, paste) or through more direct drag-and-drop actions. This paper presents results gathered during a 90-day longitudinal log study of 17 participants’ clipboard and drag-and-drop interactions. The paper characterises the frequency, time and type of actions, interaction mechanism, and whether the users’ computer configuration affects these findings. We found clipboard operations are more common than drag-and-drop operations (and drag-and-drop is rarely used by some participants), most data transfer occurs on the same screen for multi-screen users, clipboard and drag-and-drop operations are used for different applications and the applications used for clipboard operations align with previously reported results.

Bibliographic note

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 132, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2019.08.005