GUI

(Graphical User Interface) A graphics-based user interface that incorporates movable windows, icons and a mouse. The ability to resize application windows and change style and size of fonts are the significant advantages of a GUI vs. a character-based interface. GUIs have become the standard way users interact with a computer, and the major GUIs are the Windows and Mac interfaces along with Motif for Unix and the GNOME and KDE interfaces for Linux. See NUI, TUI, MUI, drag and drop, desktop manager, window manager and Star. Contrast with CUI.

The First Commercial GUI

Xerox's Star workstation was the first commercial implementation of the graphical user interface. The Star was introduced in 1981 and was the inspiration for the Mac and all the other GUIs that followed. (Image courtesy of Xerox Corporation.)

The Macintosh GUI

Xerox's Star influenced the development of the Macintosh, which inspired the creation of Windows. However, initially, Windows 3.0 and 3.1 neither used folders like the Mac nor did its desktop simulate a real desktop. Starting with Windows 95, all these features were included. The Mac lets you name your hard disks; in this case, "Power Dude." (Screen shot courtesy of Peter Hermsen.)

The Motif GUI

The graphical interface was added to the command-line world of Unix with Motif. Note the similarities between the Motif and Mac interfaces. (Screen shot courtesy of The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.)

The GUI Created a Revolution

GUIs allow the most imaginative interfaces to be created; witness this Bryce 3D modeling program. All the symbols are working tools. For example, the ones on the left side with crosses are camera controls. The large symbol at the bottom is the camera trackball, while the other three control the x, y and z axes. On top are primitive graphic elements, including an "organic rock generator," fourth from left. (Screen shot courtesy of MetaCreations Corporation.)

Create Your Own GUI Design

Stardock's WindowBlinds lets you create a new "skin" for Windows. You can design it yourself or get downloads from Stardock's Web site. (Image courtesy of Stardock Corporation, Inc., www.stardock.com)

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GUI - Graphical User Interface