Abstract: An educational computer system includes a computer, a display device, a remote control character, and a wireless modem for communication between the computer and the remote control character. The remote control character can move and speak in response to signals from the computer, thereby allowing the remote control character to interact with the user and with characters displayed on the display device. When a program is run, the computer determines whether the remote control character is available. If it is not, the computer substitutes an animated character that is displayed on the display device. The computer periodically checks for the remote control characters while displaying the animated character. If the remote control character becomes available, the animated character is discontinued and the computer begins sending voice and movement information to the remote control character.

Abstract: A cursor is displayed with one of several different cursor orientations depending on the current position to which the cursor points on a display screen. The "cursor orientation" refers to the alignment of the cursor relative to an edge of the display screen. When the cursor points to a position that is within a predetermined distance from one of the edges of the display screen, the cursor is not visible on the display screen. Upon detecting that the cursor is not visible on the display screen, the cursor is displayed with a different cursor orientation such that the cursor is visible on the display screen. Preferably, the cursor orientation is selected so that when the cursor is displayed with the new cursor orientation, the entire cursor is visible on the display screen.