Computer interface having a single window mode of operation

A method for displaying data to users in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of windows which function as containers for the data of a plurality of different tasks, respectively;
• displaying the window of data for an active one of the tasks and displaying a minimized representation for the window of each inactive task;
• detecting the selection of a task other than the active task;
• replacing the display of the window for the active task with a minimized representation for that window and displaying the window for the selected task, in response to said selection;
• detecting a modified selection of a task other than the active task, and
• overriding the replacement of the window for the active task with a minimized representation, to thereby display the window for a previously active task concurrently with the window for the selected task.

A computer-readable medium containing program code for a user interface which executes the steps of:

• providing a plurality of windows which function as containers for the data of a plurality of different tasks, respectively;
• displaying the window of data for an active one of the tasks and displaying a minimized representation for the window of each inactive task;
• detecting the selection of a task other than the active task;
• replacing the display of the window for the active task with a minimized representation for that window and displaying the window for the selected task, in response to said selection;
• detecting a modified selection of a task other than the active task, and
• overriding the replacement of the window for the active task with a minimized representation, to thereby display the window for a previously active task concurrently with the window for the selected task.