An Infinite-Pane, Zooming User Interface Window Manager and Survey of X Window Managers
Abstract
This thesis describes a zoomable user interface window manager
for the X Window System that aims to provide mechanisms for easily managing a
large number of windows. This is motivated in part by greatly increased memory
capabilities provided to modern computers as well as the relative stagnation of
window managers since the desktop metaphor was first implemented. To address
this, a window manager was written that allows the user to zoom over an infinite
plane, on which windows may be arbitrarily placed. Taking advantage of the
properties emerging from this model, algorithms were written to manage the
windows using their associated Euclidean coordinates. Furthermore, a menu system
similar to those employed in Oberon and Acme was written to provide the user
with the ability to exercise greater control over the window manager. To ensure
that it is usable on standard systems for a typical user workflow, it was
developed on the X Window System, despite the system's shortcomings. While this
is the first window manager developed for the X Window System with the synthesis
of these features, it takes inspiration from other window managers, user
interfaces, and HCI research. As such, a brief discussion on other research
interfaces is included alongside a more extensive survey on X11 window managers,
which provide a substantial source for contemporary window management research.