Cybersurfer: A One Window Internet Browser

Abstract

The Web browser interaction model popularized by NCSA Mosaic in 1993 contributed to the exponential growth of the Internet and has remained largely unchanged since then. However, even with multiple windows and bookmarks, it has become ineffective as a tool for managing Web pages, because the number of Web sites visited by users has increased. This study analyzes Internet browsing patterns and, based on that analysis, proposes a new interaction model that facilitates efficient Web browsing in a single window using two novel tools: “clone” and “mark.” The innovative interface that embodies this interaction model improves access to visited pages and enhances the management of links on a page. This study also compares Web browsing performance using the interface of the Cybersurfer Web browser to that of Internet Explore 6.0. The findings reveal the drawbacks of the currently used multiple window browsers and the potential efficiency, convenience, and pleasure of a new interface for single-window browsers.