Evaluating Graphical vs. Textual Secondary Displays for Information Notification

This paper reports the findings of a humancomputer interaction (HCI) experiment, conducted to determine whether graphical or textual representations of a simulated load monitor are more effective at communicating notification information in a secondary display. We establish guidelines for design tradeoffs based on significant differences in display facilitation of information monitoring, awareness, and introduction of distraction. These findings result from an experiment in which subjects browsed through information pages searching for answers to questions while simultaneously monitoring information in the load monitor. This research is critical in developing a framework for secondary display evaluation that should guide the design and use of visual notification systems requiring a division of user attention.