Response Time in Man-Computer Conversational Transactions

Examines acceptable system-response times in human–computer interaction.

Miller (1968)Conferencedoi:10.1145/1476589.1476628

Citation

Miller, R. B. (1968). Response Time in Man-Computer Conversational Transactions. Proceedings of the AFIPS Fall Joint Computer Conference, Part I, 267.

Method

Conceptual analysis.

Claims used

Acceptable response time depends on the user's goal and action; the question is always 'response time for what?'.

Limitations: Written for 1960s terminals; specific timing figures are not quoted here.

Extracted principles

Interaction frequency determines motionSupported
Frequently repeated actions, especially keyboard-driven ones, should avoid animation; save motion for infrequent, meaningful changes.
Duration should follow the taskNot tested
An appropriate animation duration depends on the task; there is no universally correct duration for every interaction.

Motion