Predictive cursor interaction
Embodiments include providing multiple discernible indicia that provide an indication of behaviors associated with selection of a particular link. The multiple discernible indicia may include visually-discernible graphical icons configured to be displayed as a pictorial image that visually represents a behavior associated with selection of the particular link. The visually-discernible graphical icons may include a first icon that, when selected, causes a default behavior associated with the link selection to occur, and a second icon that, when selected, causes an alternative behavior associated with the link selection to occur. Also, responsive to receiving a user-provided modifier, the first or second icon may be replaced with a third icon that visually represents a different alternative behavior to occur that is different than both the default and alternative behaviors.
1. A method comprising:
providing multiple discernible indicia that provide an indication of behaviors associated with selection of a particular link, the multiple discernible indicia comprising visually-discernible graphical icons configured to be displayed as a pictorial image that visually represents respective behaviors associated with selection of the particular link, the visually-discernible graphical icons comprising first and second user-selectable icons, the first user-selectable icon configured to, if selected, cause a default behavior associated with the selection of the particular link to occur, the second user-selectable icon configured to, if selected, cause an alternative behavior to occur that is alternative to the default behavior and that is associated with the selection of the particular link;
receiving a user-provided modifier to modify one or more of the visually-discernible graphical icons; and
responsive to receiving the user-provided modifier, replacing at least one of the first or second user-selectable icons with a third user-selectable icon that is configured to, if selected, cause a different alternative behavior to occur that is different from both the default behavior and the alternative behavior.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising ascertaining, responsive to detecting a cursor hovered in a link-selecting position, that a user is likely to select a particular link and responsive to said ascertaining, performing said providing.
3. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the act of providing is performed after a predefined delay after the act of ascertaining.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the replacing at least one of the first or second user-selectable icons with a third user-selectable icon comprises replacing the pictorial image with a new pictorial image that visually represents the different alternative behavior corresponding to the third user-selectable icon.
5. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the behaviors associated with selection of a particular link include opening a new window, opening a new tab, or launching an application.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the act of providing is performed by an end user application.
7. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the user-provided modifier comprises input from one or more keyboard keys.
8. A system, comprising:
one or more hardware components;
one or more computer readable media;
a Web browser embodied on the one or more computer readable media and executable by the one or more hardware components, the Web browser configured to:
provide multiple discernible indicia configured to provide an indication of behaviors associated with selection of a particular link, the multiple discernible indicia comprising visually-discernible graphical icons configured to be displayed as a pictorial image that visually represents respective behaviors associated with selection of the particular link, the visually-discernible graphical icons comprising first and second user-selectable icons, the first user-selectable icon configured to, if selected, cause a default behavior associated with the selection of the particular link to occur, the second user-selectable icon configured to, if selected, cause an alternative behavior to occur that is alternative to the default behavior and that is associated with the selection of the particular link;
receive a user-provided modifier to modify one or more of the visually-discernible graphical icons; and
responsive to receiving the user-provided modifier, cause display of a third user-selectable icon that is configured to, if selected, cause a different alternative behavior to occur that is different from both the default behavior and the alternative behavior.
9. A system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the Web browser is further configured to present the visually-discernible graphical icons responsive to detecting a cursor hovered in a link-selecting position over the particular link.
10. A system as recited in claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more hardware components is configured to display the visually-discernible graphical icons provided by the Web browser.
11. A system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the user-provided modifier comprises input from one or more keys on a keyboard.
12. A system as recited in claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first user-selectable icon or the second user-selectable icon is associated with opening a new tab, opening a new window, or launching an application.
13. A system as recited in claim 12 , wherein at least some of the visually discernible graphical icons correspond to a different user-provided modifier that enables a respective one of the visually discernible icons to be displayed.
14. A system, comprising:
one or more hardware components;
one or more computer readable media;
an application embodied on the one or more computer readable media and executable by the one or more hardware components, the application configured to:
provide multiple discernible indicia configured to provide an indication of behaviors associated with selection of a particular link, the multiple discernible indicia comprising visually-discernible graphical icons configured to be displayed as a pictorial image that visually represents respective behaviors associated with selection of the particular link, the visually-discernible graphical icons comprising first and second user-selectable icons, the first user-selectable icon configured to, if selected, cause a default behavior associated with the selection of the particular link to occur, the second user-selectable icon configured to, if selected, cause an alternative behavior to occur that is alternative to the default behavior and that is associated with the selection of the particular link;
receive a user-provided modifier to modify one or more of the visually-discernible graphical icons; and
responsive to receiving the user-provided modifier, cause display of a third user-selectable icon that is configured to, if selected, cause a different alternative behavior to occur that is different from both the default behavior and the alternative behavior.
15. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the application is further configured to present the visually-discernible graphical icons responsive to detecting a cursor hovered in a link-selecting position over the particular link.
16. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein at least one of the one or more hardware components is configured to display the visually-discernible graphical icons provided by the application.
17. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the user-provided modifier comprises input from one or more keys on a keyboard.
18. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first user-selectable icon or the second user-selectable icon is associated with opening a new tab, opening a new window, or launching an additional application.
19. A system as recited in claim 18 , wherein at least some of the visually discernible graphical icons correspond to a different user-provided modifier that enables a respective one of the visually discernible icons to be displayed.