Methods and systems for providing graphical user interfaces are described. overlaid, Information-bearing windows whose contents remain unchanged for a predetermined period of time become translucent. The translucency can be graduated so that, over time, if the window's contents remain unchanged, the window becomes more translucent. In addition to visual translucency, windows according to the present invention also have a manipulative translucent quality. Upon reaching a certain level of visual translucency, user input in the region of the window is interpreted as an operation on the underlying objects rather than the contents of the overlaying window.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/467,316 filed Dec. 20, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,670,970, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
