Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a graphical user interface (GUI). In an edit state, the GUI allows a user to select multiple items from a fixed domain of items that represents a total set from which selections may be made. In a rest state, the GUI allows the user to easily recognize which of the items from the fixed domain are currently selected. In the rest state, the items currently selected are displayed in a read only mode such that user input relative to the items displayed is ignored.

Abstract: An asynchronous adaptive media server mechanism permits a user to navigate around a modelled multimedia space as quickly as input events or instances are handled. The mechanism permits cancellation of outstanding queued requests that have become obsolete as the user navigates out of the area for which the request was needed. A client module generates display requests by defining a client object for every active multimedia instance, and at least one server module acts as a request queue manager and processes the requests. The server module includes a media server that preferably provides service of user-selected quality. Upon request cancellation, client resources can be released immediately; a server state module mechanism may release server resources until there is no risk of endangering system operations. The ability to cancel or de-serialize queued requests permits prioritizing the requests in a fashion that will permit media server performance to be adaptively optimized to match the users' actions.