Apparatus and method for selecting multiple items in a graphical user interface
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to identify an alternative selection mode within a graphical user interface. A set of selected items are linked during the alternative selection mode in response to single input action selection of each item.
1 . A method of selecting multiple items in an application running within a window of a graphical user interface on a computer, comprising:
activating an alternative selection mode within the graphical user interface; and
selecting previously unselected items to create a plurality of selected items, wherein each item in the plurality of selected items is selected with a single input action.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising deselecting a previously selected item with a single input action.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the alternative selection mode is a default mode.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the alternative selection mode is activated by a change in focus.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the alternative selection mode is activated by a user-driven event.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the input action is one of: a mouse click or a keyboard stroke.
7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising performing a drag-and-drop operation with the plurality of selected items.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the drag-and-drop operation includes a half-click on an item and a drag motion.
9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a digital signal embodied in a carrier wave that includes the plurality of selected items.
10 . A computer readable medium, comprising executable instructions to:
identify an alternative selection mode within a graphical user interface; and
link, during the alternative selection mode, a set of selected items, wherein each item in the set of selected items is individually selected with a single input action.
11 . The computer readable medium of claim 10 further comprising executable instructions to deselect, in response to a single input action, an item within the set of selected items.
12 . The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the alternative selection mode is a default mode.
13 . The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the alternative selection mode is activated by a change in focus.
14 . The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the alternative selection mode is activated by a user-driven event.
15 . The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the input action is one of: a mouse click or a keyboard stroke.
16 . The computer readable medium of claim 10 further comprising executable instructions to facilitate a drag-and-drop operation with the set of selected items.
17 . The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the executable instructions to facilitate are responsive to a half-click on an item and a drag motion.