In August 1989, Silicon Graphics introduced the WorkSpace,
a desktop-style graphic interface
that allows novices to use this 3D visualization workstation.
We'll take a look at how the designers of WorkSpace
matured the desktop metaphor to support users
in the Unix environment.
The first thing you notice about WorkSpace
is its familiarity, a desktop, and second,
that it is attractive.
Every SGI workstation has color display with at least 10 MIPS
of power behind it.
The WorkSpace desktop is contained in its own window
with a light blue background.
If you need to unclutter your display,
WorkSpace can be shrunk or moved out of the way.
The icons represent files, with shape indicating their type.
Pointing at icons makes them glow,
showing they're ready to be acted upon.
You'll notice that this low key highlight is used consistently
in the interface.
Any set of icons you're working with
can be arranged right in place.
Now I'll open a directory folder.
Note the pale green background that
makes it look different from the workspace window.
There are a lot of files in here.
But it's easy to find things because the contents slides
smoothly, keeping up with the thumb.
We can switch between this iconic view or list based view.
Now we can filter which files appear in the list
by using a pattern or sort the list
using any of these buttons.
If we select and drag an icon, its image and title
remain clearly readable.
You can see what you're holding every step of the way.
Dropping the folder here on the WorkSpace desktop
causes these connecting lines to appear,
showing that one folder is contained in the other.
Now a directory glows as a file moves over it
to show we can drop it there.
Notice this folder doesn't glow because I do not
have write permission.
This blue glow indicates the acceptance of drop highlight.
Alternatively, dragging the file on to an already open directory
window without write permission cancels the operation
and brings up a notifier.
However, the screen isn't locked.
You can go ahead and use the graphic interface
to figure out what went wrong.
Files are copied with a menu command
or by holding the alt key and dragging.
Likewise, they can be removed either by menu command
or being dropped into the dumpster.
This image file could be opened with a traditional double click
or by dropping it onto an application.
This is consistent with the folder's drop highlight
and a low key highlight.
Meanwhile, the Quick Paint icon's backboards
shows running, just as a folder icon
changed when it was opened.
This is because the workspace is a dynamic view of the system
state.
What you see is what you're getting right now.
Typing LS to the shell provides a snapshot of the system state.
But WorkSpace a consistent and dynamic view
of the Unix file system.
Any new files, changes in file type,
permissions, et cetera, made by anyone from anywhere
on the network are immediately shown by views or property
sheets.
In addition, compilation almost animates as it progresses.
The workspace is an open system.
Any icon in its menu can be tailored
to the task or job at hand.
Every user has a personal icon layout, editors
and document folders for technical publications,
3D modeling tools and object libraries for engineers.
We've seen a small part of how WorkSpace gives access
to the power of an SGI Unix workstation.
In our user interface, the desktop
has matured into a dynamic workplace for creative minds.