Yes, to track my reading point and sometimes to increase contrast.
Poll: Do you select text while reading?
261–270 of 366 posts
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#262When people see that I highlight text while I'm reading, they always want to know what practical reason it serves. The simplest answer is that it kind of helps me track the text, but it's less than that. It also isn't quite just a nervous habit. The only description that makes sense to me is that it feels like a physical connection to the page. More like spinning a pen, or rolling an object in your hand while you thi…
Here's another reason / hybrid of a couple. I noticed when reading this thread, I selected your comment and then scrolled whilst reading. Allows multitasking and faster scanning - I'm reading the text as the page scroll and the highlight makes it easier, whilst getting ready for the next section below.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#263We've all heard about the multitasking-induced attention problems. I tend to select and deselect text frequently as something to keep the ADD part of my brain busy.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#264When people see that I highlight text while I'm reading, they always want to know what practical reason it serves. The simplest answer is that it kind of helps me track the text, but it's less than that. It also isn't quite just a nervous habit. The only description that makes sense to me is that it feels like a physical connection to the page. More like spinning a pen, or rolling an object in your hand while you thi…
The connection to the page thing makes the most sense to me. I used to do this all the time, but since Apple's magic trackpad, I've lost the habit for the most part.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#265When people see that I highlight text while I'm reading, they always want to know what practical reason it serves. The simplest answer is that it kind of helps me track the text, but it's less than that. It also isn't quite just a nervous habit. The only description that makes sense to me is that it feels like a physical connection to the page. More like spinning a pen, or rolling an object in your hand while you thi…
As I read each of the options above, I was thinking similar thoughts. It's kind of a text tracking thing and somewhat habitual. I might highlight one section of text or paragraph and not another. Sometimes I highlight nothing. But, if it is a lengthy bit of text, I often find myself highlighting swaths of text for some reason. This only applies to when I'm using a mouse.
I find the trackpad on an Macbook encourages it as well. Something to do with the sensitivity makes it possible.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#266Only select a sentence or two when I need to scroll back up and long page and get back to where I was reading quickly afterwards.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#267I just spastically double-click words all over the page while I'm reading. No real rhyme or reason to it, it doesn't help me read or anything. It's mostly just an unconscious tick.
Me too. All sorts of weird "OCD" things like that.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#268[deleted]
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#269Easiest way to read my comments on HN. After I've been down-voted.
Re: Poll: Do you select text while reading?
#270In an HCI class I took over 10 years ago at university I did an eye gaze study where I was the observee. The professor noticed that I selected text as I went along to help focus on where I was reading.
Good to know that there are others like me out there. I wonder if there are any practical implications for this?