Legislation stipulates no other requirements for how two or more monitors have to be used. To gain more insight into this, we examined various studies. The research findings show the impacts on health and performance when using two or more monitors.
Impacts on performance
Several studies have found that the use of two or more computer screens can substantially improve performance (University of Utah, 2008; Colvin, et al., 2004; Czerwinski, et al., 2003). The following two studies are good examples.
In the first study, which was conducted by Colvin, participants received five minutes of training before starting to work with multiple computer screens. All participants worked for one hour using a single monitor and then one hour using two or three monitors. Half of the group worked with two monitors and the other half with three monitors. The task consisted of correcting texts in Word, slide texts in PowerPoint and spreadsheets in Excel as based on a document indicating the changes to be made. These are complex but very common tasks involving VDU work. The findings showed a definite improvement in performance: 10% more production in the same period of time and 33% fewer errors (Colvin, et al., 2004).
The second study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Utah, was a successor to the study by Colvin’s team. This study examined the effect of screen size and the number of monitors on performance measured as the time required to complete a task. In addition to the more commonly used computer screens measuring 18 to 22 inches, this team of researchers also included widescreen monitors, measuring 22, 26 and 30 inches diagonally. These widescreen monitors can effectively display two applications on a single screen, which is similar to working with two screens.
The research findings showed a definite correlation between the size of the monitor and production gain. The larger the monitor, the greater the production gain (Figure 2). The gain was also greater when using two monitors than when using just one that provided the same amount of surface as two. The greatest production gains were shown when using a 26-inch widescreen monitor and when using two 20-inch monitors: an increase of more than 40% in performance as compared to using a single 18-inch computer screen.
Surprisingly, the use of an even larger (30-inch) widescreen monitor resulted in less production gain than the use of a 26-inch monitor. This indicates that the maximum amount of information we can process on a monitor is limited.
To summarise: Working with more than one monitor results in a considerable gain in performance and production as compared to using a single monitor. The best performances resulted from using a single 26-inch widescreen monitor (displaying two applications side by side) or a dual-screen setup using two 20-inch monitors.
Impact on health
With two or more screens, the user’s attention has to shift back and forth between them. This setup often means that not only the user’s eyes but also his body turns to face one screen and then the other. Working with two screens side by side can thus lead to more frequent neck rotation and muscle strain in the neck and shoulder region (Alabdulmohsen, 2011).
However, using a large enough monitor and the best possible setup of the monitors can largely eliminate this additional muscle strain. This is because, according to research (Sommerich, et al, 2001), a 19-inch or larger screen results in a substantial reduction in neck and shoulder strain. This means that it is a question of creating a balance between the impact on health and a gain in performance.
Impacts on performance
Several studies have found that the use of two or more computer screens can substantially improve performance (University of Utah, 2008; Colvin, et al., 2004; Czerwinski, et al., 2003). The following two studies are good examples.
In the first study, which was conducted by Colvin, participants received five minutes of training before starting to work with multiple computer screens. All participants worked for one hour using a single monitor and then one hour using two or three monitors. Half of the group worked with two monitors and the other half with three monitors. The task consisted of correcting texts in Word, slide texts in PowerPoint and spreadsheets in Excel as based on a document indicating the changes to be made. These are complex but very common tasks involving VDU work. The findings showed a definite improvement in performance: 10% more production in the same period of time and 33% fewer errors (Colvin, et al., 2004).
The second study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Utah, was a successor to the study by Colvin’s team. This study examined the effect of screen size and the number of monitors on performance measured as the time required to complete a task. In addition to the more commonly used computer screens measuring 18 to 22 inches, this team of researchers also included widescreen monitors, measuring 22, 26 and 30 inches diagonally. These widescreen monitors can effectively display two applications on a single screen, which is similar to working with two screens.
The research findings showed a definite correlation between the size of the monitor and production gain. The larger the monitor, the greater the production gain (Figure 2). The gain was also greater when using two monitors than when using just one that provided the same amount of surface as two. The greatest production gains were shown when using a 26-inch widescreen monitor and when using two 20-inch monitors: an increase of more than 40% in performance as compared to using a single 18-inch computer screen.
Surprisingly, the use of an even larger (30-inch) widescreen monitor resulted in less production gain than the use of a 26-inch monitor. This indicates that the maximum amount of information we can process on a monitor is limited.
To summarise: Working with more than one monitor results in a considerable gain in performance and production as compared to using a single monitor. The best performances resulted from using a single 26-inch widescreen monitor (displaying two applications side by side) or a dual-screen setup using two 20-inch monitors.
Impact on health
With two or more screens, the user’s attention has to shift back and forth between them. This setup often means that not only the user’s eyes but also his body turns to face one screen and then the other. Working with two screens side by side can thus lead to more frequent neck rotation and muscle strain in the neck and shoulder region (Alabdulmohsen, 2011).
However, using a large enough monitor and the best possible setup of the monitors can largely eliminate this additional muscle strain. This is because, according to research (Sommerich, et al, 2001), a 19-inch or larger screen results in a substantial reduction in neck and shoulder strain. This means that it is a question of creating a balance between the impact on health and a gain in performance.
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Latest stable version
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The 3.2.14 release is our latest release representing a significant amount of work on new features, enhancements, code cleanups, etc. For a complete list of new features, API changes, etc. Please see the release notes and migration guide for more details. Note: 3.2.14 is the last planned release of the 3.2.x series of CXF.
Prototype development
Wtsappweb. You can browse the source code at our GitHub repository.
Jump desktop (rdp vnc fluid) 8 0 2. If you want the full development package (including unit tests), you can use Git to clone the source code: Contexts 3 3 1 – fast window switcher panel.
- Download SCREEN3 for free. SCREEN3 is a single source Gaussian plume model which provides maximum ground-level concentrations for point, area, flare, and volume sources, as well as concentrations in the cavity zone, and concentrations due to inversion break-up and shoreline fumigation.
- You need to enable JavaScript to run this app.
Build the complete “prototype.js” file with the
rake dist
command. You can find more details about this in the contribution guide.Compatibility
The latest version of Prototype is compatible with the following browsers:
Browser | Version(s) |
---|---|
Mozilla Firefox | ≥ 1.5 |
Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows | ≥ 6.0 |
Microsoft Edge | (all versions) |
Apple Safari | ≥ 2.0.4 |
Google Chrome | ≥ 1.0 |
Opera | ≥ 9.25 |