Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for manually or automatically linking widgets. The automatic linking of widgets includes detecting a trigger event associated with a first widget, and providing access to a second widget in response to the trigger event. The trigger event can be the downloading, previewing, installation, launching, updating, operating or any other interaction with one or more widgets. The trigger event can also be the exercise of a function or feature of a widget. In some implementations, a communication path or channel is established between widgets for sharing information. In other implementations, linked widgets are provided access to shared information. A widget link manager can be used to manually establish links between widgets and to designate shared information, restrictions, etc.

Abstract: An icon receptacle is disposed along a depth aspect, and one or more icons are disposed within the icon receptacle, one of which is a stack item.

Abstract: A widget security system, method and computer-readable medium detects a security event associated with a widget, assesses the risk associated with the security event, and initiates a security action based on the assessed risk.

Abstract: A desktop operable to display one or more system objects is modified using one or more filters, operable to modify the presentation of the one or more system objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an overflow stack. An overflow stack can be generated based upon adjustments to a group display area and based upon application of one or more display criterion. An overflow stack can include representation of any system objects that can not be displayed in an adjusted group display area based upon the one or more display criterion.

Abstract: Object transitions can include providing a graphical transition of an object item that retains an aspect ratio associated with the object item while transitioning the object item into an instance of an executing object associated with the object item.

Abstract: Navigation tools for an interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) are disclosed. In one aspect, a first stack item (e.g., a first directory) that includes one or more stack elements (e.g., subdirectories) is presented in the interface. User input selecting one of the one or more stack elements causes a scaled version of the first stack item (e.g., a smaller visual representation of the directory) and a second stack item (e.g., a selected subdirectory) that corresponds to the selected stack element to be presented in the interface. Selecting the scaled version of the first stack item causes the first stack item to be presented (e.g., a larger visual representation of the directory) in the interface.

Abstract: A graphical user interface has a back surface disposed from viewing surface to define a depth, and one or more one or more side surfaces extend from the back surface to the viewing surface. An icon receptacle is disposed on one or more of the side surfaces, and one or more icons are disposed within the icon receptacle. The one or more icons correspond to one or more desktop items.

Abstract: Stack elements corresponding to system object are associated with a stack item and aggregated in the stack item. A context engine provides contextual control of the stack item and stack elements.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for synchronizing widgets and dashboards.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided including a method for displaying a user interface element in a display environment. The method includes receiving a selection of a user interface element to be displayed in a display environment, and selectively displaying the user interface element in a preview environment prior to installing the user interface element and prior to displaying the interface element in the display environment. Preview includes instantiating the user interface element in a preview environment including displaying the user interface element in a presentation window along with a preview designator and supporting interaction of the user interface element with a user; and selectively installing the user interface element in the display environment.

Abstract: Visual representations of system objects are associated, and one or more association characteristics of the associated visual representations are identified. Interaction models and/or visualization models are automatically selected from a plurality of interaction and/or visualization models based on the identified one or more association characteristic, and the selected interaction and/or visualization model is applied to the associated visual representations.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided including a method for displaying a user interface element in a display environment. The method includes receiving a selection of a user interface element to be displayed in a display environment, and selectively displaying the user interface element in a preview environment prior to installing the user interface element and prior to displaying the interface element in the display environment. Selectively displaying the user interface element includes determining if a preview is required; instantiating the user interface element in a preview environment including displaying the user interface element in a presentation window and supporting interaction of the user interface element with a user; and selectively installing the user interface element in the display environment.

Abstract: Selection of visualization objects, such as icons, is represented by a flowing selection boundary. The region enclosed by the selection boundary can include a display properly, e.g., color and/or texture. The display property may be adjusted in response to an identified event, e.g., the presence of a cursor or a pending and/or active operation.

Abstract: A back surface is axially disposed from a viewing surface, and one or more side surfaces extend from the back surface to the viewing surface. An application content frame for an executing application is generated on the back surface. One or more application control elements for the execution application are generating on the one or more side surfaces.

Abstract: Object transitions can include providing a graphical transition of an object item that retains an aspect ratio associated with the object item while transitioning the object item into an instance of an executing object associated with the object item.

Abstract: An authoring environment for creating and/or editing user interface elements such as widgets used in a unified interest layer. The authoring environment facilitates creation of widgets that have a consistent appearance and mechanism, and allows third-party developers to easily create widgets that have a look and feel that is consistent with a predefined set of widgets.

Abstract: In one aspect, one or more computer storage media can store executable instructions causing a processor to perform operations that include: providing a display environment including one or more object items; receiving a user selection of at least one of the object items; and, graphically transitioning the object item into an instance of an executing object within the display environment while retaining an aspect ratio associated with the object item.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for organizing, managing and presenting widgets in display areas associated with multiple dashboard environments. In some implementations, a first display area associated with a first dashboard environment is configured for displaying at least one widget from a first set of widgets. A second display area associated with a second dashboard environment is configured for displaying at least one widget from a second set of widgets.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for organizing, managing and presenting widgets in display areas associated with multiple dashboard environments. In some implementations, a first display area associated with a first dashboard environment is configured for displaying at least one widget from a first set of widgets. A second display area associated with a second dashboard environment is configured for displaying at least one widget from a second set of widgets.