Abstract: Hierarchical structures are visualized and navigated using an orbital model. Sibling nodes are orbitally displayed in a generally circular arrangement along an orbital path. Choosing one of the orbitally displayed nodes opens it, moving down in the hierarchy. Nodes which were not chosen are undisplayed, and child node(s) of the chosen node are orbitally displayed. Node movements may be animated. A history displays recently chosen nodes. Choosing a parent node of the orbiting nodes undisplays the child nodes, and the parent node and its siblings are orbitally displayed, thereby moving up in the hierarchy. A user may select nodes from different parts of the hierarchy by moving them into a selection tray. Selected nodes can then be subjected to a specified batch operation. Controls are available for sorting nodes and/or for altering node appearance in the display.

Abstract: Hierarchical structures are visualized and navigated using an orbital model. Sibling nodes are orbitally displayed in a generally circular arrangement along an orbital path. Choosing one of the orbitally displayed nodes opens it, moving down in the hierarchy. Nodes which were not chosen are undisplayed, and child node(s) of the chosen node are orbitally displayed. Node movements may be animated. A history displays recently chosen nodes. Choosing a parent node of the orbiting nodes undisplays the child nodes, and the parent node and its siblings are orbitally displayed, thereby moving up in the hierarchy. A user may select nodes from different parts of the hierarchy by moving them into a selection tray. Selected nodes can then be subjected to a specified batch operation. Controls are available for sorting nodes and/or for altering node appearance in the display.

Abstract: An API is provided for positioning items in a table. The API allows a number of columns or a number of rows, or both, to be specified for a table. Any items to be placed in the table may be identified for the API. Items may be “moveable,” or not associated with fixed positions in the table. The moveable items may be placed adjacently in the table to fill a first row. New rows or columns may be generated to accommodate additional items. Items may also be “fixed,” or associated with fixed positions in the table. Moveable items may fill in around the fixed items. A novel algorithm is provided to efficiently place both moveable and fixed items in a table. An on-demand reservation grid may be used in conjunction with the algorithm, thereby accommodating items that span multiple columns and/or rows.