Mode displaying mouse cursors for reducing input language mode confusion: Utility and user attitude evaluation

Users frequently commit typing errors due to input language mode confusion (ILMC) when switching between multiple languages. This study evaluated two mode display cursors (MDCs) as a potential solution to ILMC: the monochrome and color-changing MDCs. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the two MDCs in different dimensions of usability. Experiment 1 evaluated the effects of MDCs on ILMC and related typing errors and Experiment 2, on self-reported preference, acceptance and annoyance. In Experiment 1, 45 participants were divided into three groups, that each performed multi-language typing using an ordinary mouse cursor and the two MDCs. The color-changing MDC was found to significantly reduce ILMC and related typing errors compared to the ordinary mouse cursor (p < .001). In Experiment 2, 30 participants performed three typical computer tasks using both MDCs. The mean annoyance rating was significantly larger for the color-changing MDC than for the monochrome MDC (p = .037).