A "mouse-slip" cost the reigning world chess champion his title (Beaton, A. & Robinson, J., Wall Street Journal 7 April 2023, see attachment). What's a "mouse-slip," and why haven't we designed mice to prevent human error in high-stakes situations? Apparently a mouse-slip is the accidental release of a mouse button at an inopportune time. Who hasn't had a mouse slip? Mouse slips can have drastic consequences as more systems (including air traffic control, aircraft and automotive cockpits, medical systems, nuclear power generation, and-apparently-high-level chess) move traditional physical / "knob and dial" interfaces to "WIMP" (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer) interfaces and touch screen interfaces. Can we (folks in these technical groups: Computer Systems, Product Design, and Perception & Performance) help?
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Keith S. Karn, PhD
Human Factors in Context LLC
Philadelphia, PA
Keith@HumanFactorsInContext.com------------------------------