Abstract: A method includes receiving a user input to cause movement of a display of a screen of a direct manipulation device, wherein the movement is in a direction away from a target item. The method includes receiving a release input to indicate that the user has released the user input at a release point on the display of the screen. The method also includes determining a location of the release point on the display of the screen relative to selectable items. The method includes determining the target item from among the selectable items, wherein the target item is at a distance from the location of the release point. The method also includes displaying a surrogate selectable item at the release point. The method includes performing an action that is the same as an action that would occur in response to a user selection of the target item.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a user input to cause movement of a display of a screen of a direct manipulation device, wherein the movement is in a direction away from a target item. The method includes receiving a release input to indicate that the user has released the user input at a release point on the display of the screen. The method also includes determining a location of the release point on the display of the screen relative to selectable items. The method includes determining the target item from among the selectable items, wherein the target item is at a distance from the location of the release point. The method also includes displaying a surrogate selectable item at the release point. The method includes performing an action that is the same as an action that would occur in response to a user selection of the target item.

Abstract: Tree navigator graphical user interfaces are provided which execute on user queries for data asynchronously, and which may display information obtained as a result of a query as soon as it is available, even though additional responsive information is not yet available. These tree navigator graphical user interfaces may also be designed to anticipate future queries for data based on past or current queries, and pre-load data into the graphical user interface which is responsive to the anticipated future queries. The tree navigator graphical user interfaces may additionally use “placeholder objects” and “loading icons” to notify the user regarding the loading status of the data associated with a particular branch of the tree.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force along its actuation path to its associated said makepoint. Each of the keys has means for restoring it towards its rest position. At least one of the keys is designated as a special key and it has warning means associated therewith and positioned with respect to the special key and keyboard so as to increase the force (above the predetermined force) required to actuate the special key. The increase in force provides tactile feedback to an operator of the keyboard before the special key's associated makepoint is reached to thereby warn said operator that he is about to actuate the special key. The warning means is made of resilient material, has a general, washer-like shape, and is positioned under the key cap of the special key.