Glossary » Widgets

split line

a line separating two panes of a split window. A split line can be dragged to the edge of a pane to eliminate the pane.

split window

a window that is divided by a split bar; a window with 2 or more panes which can be independently scrolled, but that all view the same underlying document. Splitting a window is useful if the user needs to view…

status line

a region on the screen, often at the base of a window, with general status information about the computer as a whole or the specific window or application. Typical information in status bars include:

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Sticky Keys

a method of typing where modifier keys, such as Shift, Control, Command, and Alt/Option, will “stick” down and apply to the next keystroke, so that only one key needs to be pressed at a time. This is extremely useful for…

subpane

or just “pane”; a window may be divided into multiple subpanes, each of which is typically devoted to different pieces of information. Subpanes are typically fixed in position with respect to the window as a whole. From a user’s view,…

tab traversal order

the order in which widgets on the screen accept user input as the user tabs between them. In entering forms, this typically means the order in which text fields are entered, but may also apply to checkboxes and other buttons…

tabs

an interface metaphor for navigating between screens or between different panes within a window, based on the idea of tabs on folders in a file drawer.

tapping

an input technique, used especially with pen-based systems. A tap is a rapid touch then withdrawal from the surface. A screen is tapped with a pen or a touchpad is touched by a finger to indicate selection of an item…

taskbar

an on-screen bar showing the currently running applications and open documents, as well as indicating system status, best known from the Windows 95 operating system. The taskbar provides rapid navigation between documents with relatively minimal screen clutter.

tear-off menu

a menu that can be made into a window (a floating palette) by clicking on it and dragging outside its normal extent until a small outline follows the pointer to position the new window. This is especially useful if a…

telepointer

a graphic (usually an arrow) used to indicate where another user is pointing, as in a shared whiteboard. The motions of a telepointer can be used as gestures to communicate with other users.

text entry box

a box into which text can be typed, as opposed to areas in which text is simply displayed but can’t be edited.

theme

a set of user preferences that collectively determine a cohesive custom appearance to an interface. A theme may specify properties such as a color scheme, set of fonts, style of imagery, sounds, and interactive behavior.

toggle button

a button that changes between 2 (or sometimes more) states when pressed, such as a checkbox or a disclosure triangle.

toggle key

a key on the keyboard that toggles between two modes. The most common is the CAPS LOCK key which causes all letters to appear as capitals when it is activated. Other common toggle keys include NUM LOCK (alternates between the…

tool

traditionally, an icon that could be selected that would set a mode for user input, such as a paintbrush in a drawing program. Nowadays, a tool may refer to any icon that can be pressed and takes effect immediately, even…

toolbar

a small window, usually a floating palette, with a set of small icons that perform operations or set a mode of input, such as the drawing tools in a drawing program (paintbrush, pencil, eraser, fill tool, lasso, etc.).

toolglass

a semi-transparent window that contains tools to choose from, usually brought into view temporarily to access tools without significantly obscuring content information below the toolglass.

tooltip

a small label that appears beside a button or tool if a user pauses over it, generally only a word or two. Similar in concept to balloon help, except that balloon help allows for a more extensive description and can…

touch interactive display

TID; an input device that overlays a screen, or touchscreen, that recognizes where the user touches as input.

touch typing

a level of typing skill characterized by the lack of need to visually locate the letters on a keyboard. Touch typing represents skilled performance, but not necessarily expert performance.

trash can / recycle bin

an icon on the computer desktop that represents a container for deleted files. (Note how the idea of putting your trash can on top of your desktop violates the metaphor of an office desktop.) Files are dragged to the trash…

tree view

a control that displays a hierarchy, such as the directory structure of a file system, and allows sections of the hierarchy to be expanded or collapsed to examine the contents, using a disclosure triangle (Mac OS), turner (Java), or “+”…

triple-tap text entry

in phone interfaces, using the numeric keypad to enter text by pressing each digit 1 to 3 times corresponding to the 3 letters each key is marked with.

turner

a small circle with a line used in tree views to expand and collapse sections of the hierarchy; when it is clicked it turns to the right to indicate a collapsing section or down to indicate an expanding section.