Document stream operating system

Abstract

A document stream operating system and method is disclosed in which: (1) documents are stored in one or more chronologically ordered streams; (2) the location and nature of file storage is transparent to the user; (3) information is organized as needed instead of at the time the document is created; (4) sophisticated logic is provided for summarizing a large group of related documents at the time a user wants a concise overview; and (5) archiving is automatic. The documents can include text, pictures, animations, software programs or any other type of data.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system for managing a plurality of documents from a plurality of different applications in a plurality of diverse formats comprising:
 a document organizing facility receiving said plurality of documents created by said plurality of diverse applications in said plurality of diverse formats, wherein said document organizing facility associates respective selected indicators with one or more of said received documents, stores said one or more documents and said indicators for selective retrieval, and creates information specifying one or more glance views and one or more document representations for respective ones of said one or more documents;   a display facility displaying at one time only a subset of said documents;   said display facility responding to a selection of said one or more documents by a user wherein said selection is performed by the user by a sliding operation; and   said display facility further displaying one or more of said glance views corresponding to said selected documents; and   said display facility displays said documents in an order consistent with said indicators such that a document of current interest to a user is displayed more prominently than other concurrently displayed documents.