Implementing a graphical multi‐user interface toolkit

Abstract

Multi-user applications allows users in different locations to simultaneously interact with a common interface. Creating multi-user applications is complicated by issues such as process synchronization, replicated window management, and floor control. As a result, several papers describing toolkits that simplify programming of multi-user applications have appeared in the literature. This paper discusses several low-level issues that must be addressed when implementing such a toolkit. Issues relating to replicated window management, supporting heterogeneous hardware environments, and multi-user event handling are discussed. KEY WORDS Graphical multi-user interfaces Event filters User interface toolkits Floor control* In a multi-user environment, floor control refers to the activity of controlling the order and simultaneity of interaction among participating users. Floor control can also be used to restrict the parts of an interface that a user is able to access. Floor control mechanisms may be software enforced, or may rely on social conventions among participating users.

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