The next generation of graphical user interfaces: infkmation visualization and better window management

To support the perceptually rich and informationabundant user interfaces of the future, displays must be larger with much higher resolution. With such displays, the worrisome flood of information can be turned into a productive river of knowledge. Windows with 40-60 icons or scrolling lists with 20-40 items are inadequate for dealing with the complex tasks that users increasingly face. Advancing hardware, software, and networking technology have raised expectations for users of geographical information systems (GIS), 3-D graphics tools, information directories, scientific visualization, medical image databases, desktop publishing, programming environments, network management, video or animation editing, and other domains. These domain experts are motivated users who are attempting ambitious projects that demand rapid processing and access to large amounts of visual information, but unfortunately the window managers in graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have not kept up with the users’ needs. Consequently, the advantages of large screens and fast displays are lost, leading to confusion, poor user performance, frustration, and missed opportunities.