Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for altering the display of an object on a display device in a data processing system. Changes in the attitude of a device within the data processing system are detected relative to a reference plane. The device may be a display device or some other device within the data processing system. The display of the object is altered in response to detecting selected changes in the attitude of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improved scrolling functionality in a graphical user interface utilizing a software tether. Preferably, the invention is utilized in a data processing system which supports a graphical user interface which is utilized by the operator to create, modify, or review software objects. At least one particular work space is provided in the graphical user interface. A scroll bar activation function is provided which initiates scroll bar functionality after a predefined interaction of the graphical pointing device with said graphical user interface. The data processing system is utilized to monitor for interaction between the graphical pointing device and the graphical user interface, which satisfies the scroll bar activation function. After detection of satisfaction of the scroll bar activation function, the at least one scroll bar functionality is associated with the graphical pointing device.