Framed user interface

A computer system having an operating system, hardware, and software, the computer device system comprising:

• a framed user interface module for presenting a framed graphical user interface with a plurality of frames each having a plurality of sections surrounding and adjacent to a workspace area, a respective frame of the framed graphical user interface containing a plurality of application icons in an application access toolbar, each for invoking a corresponding one of a plurality of applications or utilities, wherein the plurality of the sections, on at least two sides of the workspace area, each contain at least one application icon, and wherein one or more of the plurality of application icons appear in geometric positions specified by a user and remain in said geometric positions regardless of which application, if any, is displayed in the workspace area;
• a selection module for receiving a user selection of an application icon of the plurality of application icons;
• and opening the application or utility corresponding to the application icon;
• wherein a plurality of the applications or utilities are initiated during start up of the framed graphical user interface and become available through the framed graphical user interface for immediate access.

A computer system having an operating system, hardware, and software, the computer device system comprising:

• a framed user interface module for presenting a framed graphical user interface with a plurality of frames each having a plurality of sections surrounding and adjacent to a workspace area, a respective frame of the framed graphical user interface containing a plurality of application icons in an application access toolbar, each for invoking corresponding one of a plurality of applications or utilities, wherein the plurality of the sections, on at least two sides of the workspace area, each contain at least one application icon, and wherein one or more of the plurality of application icons appear in geometric positions specified by a user and remain in said geometric positions regardless of which application, if any, is displayed in the workspace area;
• and
• a selection module for receiving a user selection of an application icon of the plurality of application icons;
• and opening the application or utility corresponding to the application icon;
• wherein a portion of the respective frame incorporates, in addition to the plurality of application icons, one or more standard toolbars.

A method of interaction with a computer system comprising:

• presenting a framed graphical user interface with a plurality of frames each having a plurality of sections surrounding and adjacent to a workspace area, a respective frame of the framed graphical user interface containing a plurality of application icons in an application access toolbar, each for invoking a corresponding one of a plurality applications or utilities, wherein the plurality of the sections, on at least two sides of the workspace area, each contain at least one application icon, and wherein one or more of the plurality of application icons appear in geometric positions specified by a user and remain in said geometric positions regardless of which application, if any, is displayed in the workspace area;
• receiving a user selection of an application icon of the plurality of application icons;
• and
• opening the application or utility corresponding to the application icon;
• wherein a plurality of the applications or utilities are initiated during start up of the framed graphical user interface and become available through the framed graphical user interface for immediate access.

A method of interaction with a computer system comprising:

• presenting a framed graphical user interface with a plurality of frames each having a plurality of sections surrounding and adjacent to a workspace area, a respective frame of the framed graphical user interface containing a plurality of application icons in an application access toolbar, each for invoking a corresponding one of a plurality applications or utilities, wherein the plurality of the sections, on at least two sides of the workspace area, each contain at least one application icon, and wherein one or more of the plurality of application icons appear in geometric positions specified by a user and remain in said geometric positions regardless of which application, if any, is displayed in the workspace area;
• receiving a user selection of an application icon of the plurality of application icons;
• opening the application or utility corresponding to the application icon;
• and
• launching a plurality of applications or utilities upon start up of the system.

A method of interaction with a computer system comprising:

• presenting a framed graphical user interface with a plurality of frames each having a plurality of sections surrounding and adjacent to a workspace area, a respective frame of the framed graphical user interface containing a plurality of application icons in an application access toolbar, each for invoking a corresponding one of a plurality applications or utilities, wherein the plurality of the sections, on at least two sides of the workspace area, each contain at least one application icon, and wherein one or more of the plurality of application icons appear in geometric positions specified by a user and remain in said geometric positions regardless of which application, if any, is displayed in the workspace area;
• receiving a user selection of an application icon of the plurality of application icons;
• and
• opening the application or utility corresponding to the application icon;
• wherein a portion of the respective frame incorporates, in addition to the plurality of application icons, one or more standard toolbars.