What Is Windows, Icons, Menus And Pointing Device (WIMP)?

Like a timeless LBD, WIMP (#WIMP) is a design staple that can be worn with anything and will always stay in style in computer interfaces. If you've used a desktop or laptop computer, you're probably already familiar with the WIMP user interface (UI), which stands for Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointing Devices. The "windows" in WIMP refer to the independent panels that can launch and close various applications and store files in a manner that is entirely customizable by the user. Access to this is like having a private portal into the machine's mind. The "icons" you see on your computer's desktop and in the Start menu are shortcuts to the programs and files you need. You can think of them as the smiling faces of your computer, a fun and simple way to communicate with it. You can access various "menus," or lists of options, by clicking on multiple UI parts. The intuitive menus and keys are like having a computer that can communicate with you in your native tongue. Finally, the "pointing device" directs the on-screen cursor. Any device that allows you to point and click on a screen, such as a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen, is what you use to direct the computer's actions. WIMP interfaces have been widely adopted because they are easy to pick up and start using immediately. They have become the de facto standard for PCs, so you've probably been using a WIMP-style interface since you started working with a computer. But WIMP isn't just a computer UI; it's been adapted to other devices like tablets and smartphones as well, and it's the type of interface that has evolved and is still evolving to accommodate new technologies and devices. The Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointing Device (WIMP) user interface is the tried-and-true standard by which all other computer interfaces are measured. It's the most common type of user interface (UI), as it's intuitive, simple, and widely used across various devices and platforms.