The RightClickToRefresh Itch
A question to Microsoft Windows users: Have you found yourself right-clicking on the desktop and hitting refresh for no reason at all? And maybe 3-4 times for good measure?
Does it really accomplish anything? Or it is an illusion to satisfy the user that his computer has suddenly been cleansed of all the dirt that was accumulated while working it so hard? I haven’t researched what really happens when you RightClickToRefresh, but I’m sure it’s pretty insignificant (guys at MS: do correct me if I’m wrong).
I moved to a mac recently and I was shocked and surprised that there was no equivalent to the RCTR in Mac OS. The closest that came was RightClickToCleanUp. But then that does something – it puts the icons in your desktop in a neat order. But I don’t like my icons in order, and more often than not I find myself using it simply because I need to satiate my RightClickToRefresh itch.
I have done some thinking and introspection as to why I have the itch and I have come upon a theory. I call it “The Zero of User Experience”. Much like Aryabhatta who many years ago discovered that was something in nothing and called it Zero. What is Zero? Zero is that number in our number system that denotes a value of nothing. Extend the same concept to usability and interfaces and you have things like RCTR in Windows. Photoshop has the arrow tool that doesn’t really do much else but help move your layers around. Alias has a context menu that literally says “Nothing”. Solidworks has the Esc button that deselects everything and cleans up your selections.
What do you guys think? Do you feel drawn to find a function in your favourite software that accomplishes nothing? Do you have the RCTR itch? Hit me up in the comments!
Navneet
on February 21st, 2010
Hey Sid.. good entry! Have always had this itch. I’ve seen many people do it. I’ve noticed a pattern too. This seems to be more device dependent than software dependant. I say that because I find myself refreshing less often with a touchpad or a graphic tablet than with a mouse.
Like the sound of “The Zero of User Experience”. It’s like the “cap” of a pen. You want to put the cap back on the pen after using it and sometimes get mad if it gets lost. Some people like it so much, they get annoying clicking episodes with their pens.
I’ve recently switched to Mac OSX as well, but instead of using Clean Up, I drag a rectangle over an area of the desktop several times. It creates an interesting visual effect.
Siddharth Vanchinathan
on February 21st, 2010
ah! i never knew that the white translucent rectangle fades away instead of disappearing.
Ganesh Rao
on February 22nd, 2010
I used to do the click-drag more often than click-refresh on Windows. I think, it’s got to do with the way we perceive computers and machines. We constantly want to see something moving/happening on the screen, otherwise we subconsciously tend to think that things are getting slow or perhaps hung (at least that’s what I feel).
After I shifted to Mac, I find myself doing the hot-corner reveals more often than anything. I like looking at the reveal widgets/desktop/all-windows and the icon-zoom-animations on the dock. Especially when I just have one hand on any input device and nothing significant to do. I think it’s like doodling, we don’t do it consciously but we all tend to do similar things.
Also, I think it has to do with the gesture involved and performing the gesture like a micro-speed-challenge. The whole action: right-click, move-mouse-down, left-click, becomes a gesture, and people who do it repetitively try to do it in the most efficient and quick way. I’ve seen people do it even before the menu fully pops/slide open (incredible!).
Siddharth Vanchinathan
on February 22nd, 2010
that’s a very valid point and it’s important to let the user know that there’s something going on. even if it’s a meaningless blinking light.
and btw i could do the micro speed RightClickToRefresh. I used to practice it in college
Vikram
on February 22nd, 2010
We belong to an impatient culture dude… I think RCTR, even if it triggers hourglass for some random amount of time, is a brialliant idea from software perspective. They have kept the user in mind while developing it. Of course, I am assuming that it does nothing.
Anuj Bugga
on March 13th, 2010
This is interesting. I have several theories to explain it. Not very convinced about any one in particular
1. Sheer Boredom
2. Psychological Dominance – Are we trying to assert ourselves on our machine?
3. Compulsive Disorder – There is something inherently satisfying about RCTR. It feels like we are creating order by executing it.
4. In Between Task – Let’s say you close an application and are still thinking what to do next? You don’t want to just be sitting idle. So RCTR!
What do you think?
Siddharth Vanchinathan
on March 13th, 2010
I think points 3 & 4 would probably be good explanations for the itch. The title of 3 should be Compulsive Order! Yes, the feeling is that you are creating order, but from a developer point of view, I’m not sure what RCTR actually achieves on the OS. It’s a placebo effect methinks.
Mihika Singh Verma
on March 18th, 2010
So considering my laptop is infinitely old and slows down more everyday, I tend to click on the the Clean Up button out of sheer desperation. Guess what though, the moment my computer starts hanging, I “Clean Up” and it starts working smoothly again. I know it is completely silly but it works! Also, I think “Clean Up” gives me moral support that I very often need!