Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning windows on a display screen in a computer environment in which a user perceives that multiple operations can be executed simultaneously. The method and apparatus for positioning windows is based upon the number of existing windows and the arrangement of previously-created windows. Preferably, a computer system incorporating the invention includes a one or more dam structures, herein called "window slots", each window slot retaining location information and indicating, either explicitly or implicitly, availability of the window slot. Window slots can be organized into a window slot structure. If a window is being opened, then a window slot is assigned to the window being opened and a window slot structure having zero or more window slots is updated. The assigning and updating is based upon the availability of a window slot and the number of in-use window slots in the window slot structure.

Abstract: A personal computer or workstation on a network includes a quick-choice cache into which are collected the names and aliases of networked devices or services that are expected to be most routinely used by a particular user. The cache is initialized to contain the names and aliases of devices within a network zone assigned to the workstation. This collection of names/aliases is expanded each time the user makes a connection to a device not previously listed. The cache drives a graphic user interface (GUI) that shows the user what service categories are available within the cache, and then when a service category is selected, what specific devices are included within the cache under that service category. The GUI permits quick logical connection to devices whose aliases are stored in the user's cache. A connection map later graphically shows the user what connections he or she has made.