Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!emory!hubcap!manne
From: manne@hubcap.clemson.edu (Vijay Chachra)
Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Right Hand Rule
Summary: intriguing and worth investigating!
Message-ID: <9967@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Date: 2 Aug 90 03:44:14 GMT
References: <1990Jul31.193057.4434@pdn.paradyne.com>
Organization: Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Lines: 37

In article <1990Jul31.193057.4434@pdn.paradyne.com>, reggie@pdn.paradyne.com (George W. Leach) writes:
> 
> 
> 
>         How universal is the right-hand rule for controls and displays?
> By universal, I mean on an international scope.
> 
> 
>         For those not familiar with the right-hand rule, it is that
> increasing or positive is always to the right, up or in a clockwise
> direction, eg. tightening screws, increasing temperature on a thermometer,
> increasing decibel readings on a meter, etc.....
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> George
>

This is definitely an intriguing issue and is worth investigating with
subjects from different parts of the world. An informal discussion in my
Human Factors Engineering class resulted in mixed preferences. The
reasons for not accepting the rule universally could be as follows:

a. It depends on the application.
b. It depends on whether the controls are to be operated by both hands
   or one hand.
c. There is a definite difference in preference between left-handed and
   right-handed persons.

Note: Would like to hear comments from fellow netters.


Vijay Chachra                                 (Off) 803-656-4785
Department of Industrial Engineering          (Res) 803-654-0206
Clemson University
Clemson, S.C. 29634