User interface
From WhyNotWiki
User interface edit (Category edit)
GNOME Human Interface Guidelines 2.0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WIMP_(computing).
In human–computer interaction, WIMP stands for "window, icon, menu, pointing device", denoting a style of interaction using these elements.It was coined by Merzouga Wilberts in 1980. It was once often used as an approximate synonym of graphical user interfaces. WIMP interaction was developed at Xerox PARC (see Xerox Alto, developed in 1973) and "popularized by the Macintosh in 1984" (van Dam, 1997).In popular speech the term "wimp" is commonly used as a mild insult to refer to people who lack strength and/or courage. This usage was common before the advent of the graphical user interface. As a result, the acronym WIMP is sometimes used in a derogatory mannerTemplate:Fact, especially by those who prefer more traditional command-line interfaces. Conversely, it is also sometimes used to point out current lack of innovation in user interface design (see Post-WIMP user interfaces).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-WIMP.
Post-WIMP refers to work on user interfaces, mostly graphical user interfaces, which attempt to go beyond the paradigm of windows, icons, menus and a pointing device, i.e. WIMP interfaces.The reason WIMP interfaces have become so prevalent since their conception at Xerox PARC has been that they are very good at abstracting workspaces, documents, and their actions. Their analogous paradigm to documents as paper sheets or folders, makes WIMP interfaces easy to introduce to novice users. Furthermore their basic representations as rectangular regions on a 2d flat screen make them a good fit for system programmers. Generality makes them very suitable for multitasking work environments.
However WIMP interfaces are not optimal for working with complex tasks such as computer aided design or even interactive games. WIMPs are usually quite pixel-hungry, so given limited screen real estate they can become distracting from the main task trying to be performed. Thus, custom interfaces can do a much better job of encapsulating workspaces, actions, and objects for specific complex tasks.
Post-WIMP interfaces have made their way to the general public. Examples of these include the interface of the classic MP3 player iPod to a bank's automated teller machine screen.
Meanwhile, the average desktop computer still utilizes WIMP interfaces for their basic operation, and have started undergoing major operational improvements to surpass the hurdles inherent to the classic WIMP interface. These include the exploration of virtual 3D space, interactive techniques for window/icon sorting, focus, and embellishment.
