The effects of two different computer user interfaces on the process of writing are examined. English composition students (matched on computer experience) used a computer and keyboard (either with function keys or with a mouse) to write essays during their English classes. Essays generated using either a mouse or command‐driven interface were compared across different stages of writing. The impact of using a mouse versus command‐driven interface is described by analyzing the differences in the process used to create the essays and the quality of the essays produced by each group. Results indicate that students who used the command‐driven interface scored better on organization of the paper, creativity, number of supporting arguments, grammar/spelling, and letter grade than did their mouse counterparts, as perceived by graders. However, there were no significant differences between the two interface conditions on any grammatical indices.

Abstract

A complete software package always includes documentation. Although its importance is often overlooked, documentation may be the only source of program design information. Major tasks in the software life cycle, such as design, coding, testing and maintenance, are often performed by different individuals. Lientz and Swanson (1979) found that, typically, only about half of a software system's maintenance personnel had been involved in its development. Poor documentation techniques can, therefore, dramatically increase labor costs throughout the labor intensive software life cycle by making both development and maintenance tasks more difficult.