3D Feature in User Interface of Unix Operating System - Essay Example

3D FEATURE IN USER INTERFACE OF UNIX AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS INTRODUCTION A Graphical User Interface is known to basically refer to an interface emanating from a computer program that challenges a computer’ graphics ability to ease the workload of the said computer. The idea is to make the liveware’s work simpler in demystifying the command languages that are deemed complex. The basic components of a GUI are the menus, pointers, desktop, windows, icons and pointing devices. Although, the first Graphical User Interface was designed by Xerox Corporation in 1970 by their Palo Alto Research Center, it was Apple in the 1980s that catapulted the GUI to new heights, with their ability to incorporate the expensive CPU and quality monitors in their desktop models. Now however we are presented with the 3D interface that somehow accusingly is deemed not viable. The 3D interface has been hailed as the road to incredible virtual landscape discovery. It couples sound and graphic and enables a faster multiple file copying and file location. The purpose of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of 3D feature in the operating systems of Mac OS, the widespread Linux, Windows and more emphatically UNIX. Apart from its impact on the IT world we will consider a review and evaluation of multiple desktops, program launchers, file browsers, task switchers from a 3D standpoint. 3D Browser Screenshot 3D INTERFACE IN UNIX OPERATING SYSTEM The UNIX system has sold incredible number of software to a host of other software developers from Linux, Solaris, to Mac OS X. in fact their development are as a result of a component of the UNIX system. Since the UNIX operating system is to a very large extent engaged in compliance certification, multitasking, multiple users, its position is solid. Most other applications mentioned earlier depend on the UNIX system server. The UNIX operating system was instrumental in the launch of the Win3D beta version interface that created a renaissance in the whole 3D environment. The basic principle was to multi task the desktop to perform more than one job than it traditionally performed. UNIX therefore provided businesses and advertisers online a well primed tool for increasing sales and entering a new dawn of marketing endeavor. The other aspect was introduction of a 3D interface that was cheap and functional in possession of a head tracking device. It also uses a WII Remote. The strength of this interface is its usage in the solid UNIX interface. The UNIX system holds some of the most incredible 3D animation, 3D ant attack and other 3D games. 3D INTERFACE IN LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM Linux as an operating system was developed from a minute UNIX constituent called Minix. Linus Torvalds while still a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, developed an improved version of Minix which brought forth 1.0 version called the Linux Kernel whose source code can be given free of charge. Now however, the most recent version happens to be the 2.6 version with all features. The 3D feature in Linux comes in many distributions or applications and here we will only deal with a few. 3D Linux Desktop 3D Modelling-graphics 3dom. The 3-Dimensional Object Modeler offers a tool to create a replica of reality using a convenient accuracy. It is general purpose which can be improved and upgraded over time. 3dom is nevertheless more useful to replicate scenes for purposes of Global Illumination. Extreme wave; It is now being built for Linux and probably for the UNIX operating system. This 3d feature is of high alpha quality and built for use by developers who are already using it. KPovModeler; this is a 3D feature constituted to develop POV-Ray (TM) scenes infused in KDE. It supports all the basic functions of a POV-Ray 3.1. The other 3D features in graphic modelling under Linux are LeoCAD, libmousetrap, mg^2, Mops, peflp among many others. 3D Games-Entertainment Here we have the 3D Accelerated-X Linux Graphics Drivers which upon buying the Xi Graphics key from the web site one can access games from ATI All-in-Wonder 128 AGP to 3Dlabs Oxygen GVX1, among others. Aleph One; Running in Linux through SDL aleph one is an open source on the OpenGL make of marathon2/infinity engine. The other 3D Games in Linux system are FACHODA, glTron, ENRAPTURE, Cybercube among others. 3D INTERFACE IN WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM Windows present a massive 3D interface capability. The most recent is probably the tactile 3D which eases the organization of files, directories and folders and drapes the virtual environment with an explosive virtual landscape to navigate at will. StepTree; Again in the windows system this 3D feature is an instant visualizer that elongates the treemaps three pronged. The visual is well presented on the storage by hierarchy in the similitude of warehouse stacked boxes. 3DNA. when you want to adequately link files, folders and programs in a visual universe draped in diverse themes like chateau, sci-fi, loft and undersea among other themes then you use the windows 3D desktop scene. 3D window ‘CEOs’; Here we have quite an array of 3D features, from the 3DTop, SphereXP, CubicEye, Matodate among other navigational, managers, organizing and desktop replacement tools. 3D INTERFACE IN Mac OS OPERATING SYSTEM Mac OS referred in full as Macintosh is a company that belongs to Apple. It uses to a very large extent the 3D games and its other 3D features and interfaces. The Mac OS X is a conglomeration of its constituent software and the UNIX. At the moment Apple is working on classy 3D desktop that obeys the law of physics. This bid will introduce a new feel and use of the computer icons in the now new multi dimensional desktops. However still, the feasibility of this 3D attempt is still in question. But apple has proved that its hardware is strong, powerful and solid to carry the full weight of this enactment of the 3D interface. Still this is yet to be seen. The 3D interface in the Mac OS X is in similitude with the conventional Mac OS X desktop with two dimensions has side walls, a floor and a top that drape the surface at the back. Mac OS X is slowly departing from the menu bar manipulation replacing it with the 3D manipulation acts. The OpenGL 3D greatly works better and faster with the Mac OS X 10.1 version. Moreover reviews suggest that even the Quartz is a strong and 3D compatible version, more than the OpenGL and the DirectX versions. REVIEW AND EVALUATION Multiple desktop 3D has enabled a multi pronged windows opening when a person wants to engage in more than one task at the desktop. Whether it is working to get information from or for a blogs or browsing a site, multiple desktop enables you to perform your desired tasks at a go. The only problem is soon you have in one window a very jammed desktop that may prove very difficult to manipulate. A Mr. Byte informed us that the beryl use on Linux is inconsequential if you use the new four desktops Software. Program launcher A 3D implementation and its constituent 3D environment have proven savvy when handling the desktop with a Program launcher which makes it easier to open files using a different program. Running concurrently the Program launcher and the 3D interface enables quite a speedy multitasking. Also related to this ability are the Task switchers. Through the help of pointing devices and specifically the mouse all at once a liveware can click to open plural applications with ease. Almost all users attest to the incredible function of both Task switchers and Program launchers in the 3D interface. File Browsers By use of a 3D implemented interface the PHP written browser can aid in editing, deleting, renaming, uploading, moving, creating and directing via full texts and light. THEIR IMPACT ON MACHINE USE 1. Multiple desktops, program launchers, task switchers and file browsers have created a faster way of handling the computer applications. Now selection, editing among other menus and task bar functions are experienced at a more sophisticated and advanced level. 2. Multi tasking is now within reach with the use of multiple desktops, program launchers, task switchers and file browsers. 3. Multiple desktops, program launchers, task switchers and file browsers are what make the unique nature of UNIX a colorful and classy operating system. 4. Installation, upgrading and maintenance of multiple desktops, program launchers, task switchers and file browsers are easy to enact the maximum usability of the computer machines. Advantages and Disadvantages of 3D in Desktops Advantages 1. 3D desktops are flexible, less bulky and can be used to a very extensive and broad spectrum. This makes the desktop to achieve a personalized effect with the liveware knowing what to do. 2. The 3D interface integrates a variance of applications, settings, files, links and games in a very flexible and easy to manipulate way. 3. Makes the handling of the computer easy to operate. For those who revel in multi tasking, will find the 3D desktop interface quite a charming working tool with host of features to tinker with. 4. The desktop with the 3D interface works faster than the traditional interface. The UNIX operating system enables the speed to increase as the system is an upgraded version. 5. The 3D interface is a creative means to perform both graphic and text tasks. The graphics, especially, come out in a very presentable 3 dimensional format that comes out poignant in PowerPoint presentation. This is a far improvement over the 2D interface. Disadvantages 1. The 3D interface is considered weak to maintain the strength of the network. Its feasibility and overall practicability is in question. 2. It may prove hard to manipulate the 3D interface if you are not completely savvy with its features and interface makeup and program. 3. The 3D interface is still under intense development and as at now many still feel that it is yet to perform to its fullest potential 4. The 3D interface may not work with solid operating systems and therefore it has been proven that solid operating systems like UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS are basically compatible with the 3D interface. SUMMARY The 3D interface has slowly and steadily entered into the IT world and seemingly is here to stay. Since the inception of the original Graphic User Interface and the development of the 2D and now the 3D work in the computer era has been underway. All the operating systems mentioned, the Windows, Linux, and the Mac O which use the solid operating system of UNIX have somehow found a way to get the 3D feature get compatible with their respective operating system. We must mention that with the UNIX, it is a foregone conclusion that the 3D interface is working. Multiple desktops, program launchers, task switchers and file browsers are the basic buttresses in the interface making the whole idea feasible despite the controversies. CONCLUSION After a thorough consideration of the 3D interface, both advantages and disadvantages, impact and the opposing opinion bandied by the anti 3D interface feature have been studied, my opinion is that the 3D interface has features that are compatible with multi server UNIX. In the same vein it is prudent to mention that the 3 dimensional feature is like the other Graphic User Interface that includes the erstwhile fully operational and successful 2D functionality and therefore testing and operation of 3D should be given a chance to demonstrate its full potential. REFERENCES References Linux to get 3D GUI. (2006, May 23). Retrieved May 11, 2009, from http://apcmag.com/linux_to_get_3d_gui.htm 3D User Interfaces. (n.d.). In . Retrieved May 11, 2009, from http://nooface.net/3dui.shtml Lane, Slash. (2008, December 11). Apple working on 3D Mac OS X user interface (images). Retrieved May 11, 2009, from http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/12/11/apple_working_on_3d_mac_os_x_user_interface_images.html graphical user interface. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2009, from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/GUI.html Read More