Computing (FOLDOC) dictionary
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based on graphical representations of familiar office objects
(sheets of paper, files, wastepaper bin, etc.) positioned on a
two-dimensional "
desktop" workspace.
Programs and data files are represented on screen by small
pictures (
icons). An object is selected by moving a
mouseover the real desktop which correspondingly moves the
pointer on screen. When the pointer is over an icon on
screen, the icon is selected by pressing the button on the
mouse.
"
drag" a document (a file) icon into and out of a
folder(directory) icon. Folders can also contain other folders and
so on. To delete a document, its icon is dragged into a
trash can icon. For people that are not computer
enthusiasts, managing files on the Macintosh is easier than
The Macintosh always displays a row of menu titles at the top
of the screen. When a mouse button is pressed over a title, a
down, the option within the menu is selected by pointing to it
and then releasing the button.
almost always conform to the Macintosh interface. As a
result, users are comfortable with the interface of a new
program from the start even if it takes a while to learn all
the rest of it. They know there will be a row of menu options
at the top of the screen, and basic tasks are always performed
in the same way. Apple also keeps technical jargon down to a
minimum.
Although the Macintosh user interface provides consistency; it
designed well. Not only must the application's menus be clear
and understandable, but the locations on screen that a user
points to must be considered. Since the mouse is the major
selecting method on a Macintosh, mouse movement should be kept
to a minimum. In addition, for experienced typists, the mouse
is a cumbersome substitute for well-designed keyboard
commands, especially for intensive text editing.
true that Xerox's
smalltalk had a GUI and Xerox introduced
some GUI concepts commercially on the
Xerox Star computer in
project teams visited PARC, Jef Raskin, who created the Mac
project, points out that many GUI concepts which are now
considered fundamental, such as dragging objects and pull-down
menus with the mouse, were actually invented at Apple.
incorporate some or all of the desktop/mouse/icon features.
using some
GUI concepts by taking legal action against them.
It is because of such restrictive practises that organisations
support ports of their software to Apple machines, though this
ban has now been lifted. [Why? When?]
(1996-07-19)