CLN Wiki · Cognitive Ergonomics
Info-Scanning
Scanning is the ability to find specific needles in a haystack without moving the needle.
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Definition
Term
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Info-Scanning — rapid, non-linear extraction of meaning from
text
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systematic search for visual landmarks to determine relevance
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the "fast-forward" mode of the reading mind
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Reading Patterns
Analysis
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PROSE: forces F-pattern (top-to-bottom, left-to-right)
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result: reader misses 30-50% of content toward the bottom-right
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SKIMMING: lossy, erratic jumping between keywords
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SCANNING: lossless, targeted movement guided by layout
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The CLN Advantage
Efficiency
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Visual Consistency: operators always at the same indent column
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Semantic Predictability:
! always means risk, never an action
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Hierarchy Visibility: indent depth = relative importance
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Saccades become shorter and more vertical
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Scanner's Rule: Understand the document by reading ONLY the operator column
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Risks
Threats
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Prose resistance: complex prose cannot be scanned efficiently
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Skimming trap: thinking you've "read" when you've only "seen"