Abstract: The described embodiments provide a system for formatting a document in a word processor. During operation, upon receiving a command to move an object in the document, the system moves the object in the document. When moving the object in the document, the system dynamically arranges other content in the document with respect to the object. Upon receiving a command to place the object in a specified location while moving the object, the system places the object at the specified location and leaves the other content arranged with respect to the object in accordance with a most recent dynamic arrangement. After placing the object at the specified location, the system determines an anchor location for an anchor for the object and places an anchor for the object in the anchor location.

Abstract: The described embodiments provide a system for formatting a document in a word processor. The system starts by performing at least one operation on an object in a section of text in the document. Before the operation is performed on the object, the text in the section of text is placed around the object in accordance with a first wrapping behavior. After performing the operation on the object, the system determines a second wrapping behavior for the text in the section of text around the object based on a location of the object in the section of text and a size of the object. The system then places the text around the object in accordance with the second wrapping behavior.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that typesets and renders a document in a platform-independent manner. During operation, the system first obtains the document, wherein the document includes text content and associated style information including one or more fonts. The system also obtains platform-independent font metrics for the one or more fonts, wherein the platform-independent font metrics include information that can be used to determine the positions of individual characters in a rendering of the document. Next, the system uses the platform-independent font metrics to determine how the document is divided into line fragments and pages. Finally, the system uses the determined division while rendering the document, so that the division of the document into line fragments and pages is the same across different computing platforms.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for providing an application canvas framework which facilitates the manipulation of text and graphics within a web browser. During operation, the system receives a command from a user at a web browser to execute a web-based application. In response to the command, the system loads the web-based application which includes an application canvas framework within the web browser, wherein the application canvas framework provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that facilitates the manipulation of text and graphics within the web browser. Note that the application canvas framework can be browser independent and/or platform independent.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates selecting items of content in a graphical user interface (GUI) for a portable computing device. During operation, the system receives an indication that the portable computing device has been rotated. In response to the rotation, the system presents the user with a detailed list of items of content. Next, the system receives a command from the user to set a focus of the GUI to an item of content in the list. In response to the command, the system shifts the focus to the item of content. Next, the system receives an indication that the portable computing device has been rotated back toward an original orientation. In response to the rotation back, the system selects the item of content.