C H A P T E R 2

Container Views

view does not get any pen input from outside the parent’s bounds. These restrictions have no practical effect on an auxiliary view that is attached to the root view instead of an application’s base view.

Closing a View

Closing a container view makes it go away. Most views close in response to user actions. If a view has a Close box (and most views do), a user can close the view by tapping the Close box. A view may also have other controls that close it. In addition, an application should close a status slip on its own when it finishes the operation that occasioned the status slip.

An application determines what happens visually, audibly, and logically when a user closes the application’s views. The user may see a visual effect and hear a sound effect, or the view may seem simply to disappear. The Newton system determines the visual and sound effects when a user closes a notification alert, confirmation alert, or routing slip.

Closing a Main View

Tapping the Close box in an application’s main view closes the application. The main view goes away, together with any of the application’s auxiliary views that are also open.

Because a Newton device is personal, most applications should maintain their state while closed, even if the Newton device goes to sleep or a user turns it off. An application that involves an ongoing task should save its state before closing, and it should return to that saved state the next time it opens. State information to be saved and restored includes newly and partially entered data, the positions of all movable container views (including the main view, if it is movable), and anything else the application will need to recreate what the user sees at the time the application closes.

An application doesn’t need to save and restore its state if the application involves discrete, short-term tasks—a dictionary, e-mail, and so forth.

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How Views Work

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Apple 2 manual Closing a View, Closing a Main View
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2 specifications

The Apple II is a defining product in the history of personal computing, first introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer, Inc. Designed by Steve Wozniak, the Apple II was one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products and played a significant role in bringing personal computers into homes and schools.

One of the Apple II's standout features was its color graphics capability. It was one of the first personal computers to provide color output, thanks to its built-in video interface. The initial model supported a resolution of 280x192 pixels with a palette of 6 colors, which allowed for vibrant visuals that set it apart from contemporaries like the monochrome Altair 8800.

The Apple II was notable for its open architecture. This design allowed users to expand the computer's capabilities easily through a series of expansion slots. Users could add floppy disk drives, additional memory, and various peripheral devices, making the system highly adaptable to individual needs. This encouraged a thriving ecosystem of third-party hardware and software, which contributed to its popularity.

Another significant feature was its use of the 6502 microprocessor. This 8-bit CPU was not only affordable but also powerful for its time, allowing the Apple II to run various applications efficiently. Along with a built-in keyboard and an innovative plastic case that housed its components, the design was user-friendly and appealing.

The Apple II also introduced the concept of “bootable software” through the use of floppy disks. The disk operating system (DOS) allowed users to store and run multiple programs without having to reload software manually, providing a level of convenience that had not been widely available before. Key software like VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program, helped boost sales, showcasing the Apple II's utility in business and education environments.

The computer was also well-known for its early adoption of BASIC programming language. Apple provided an operating system that supported Applesoft BASIC, which enabled users, including students, to write their programs, further fostering a community of developers.

In summary, the Apple II's color graphics, open architecture, powerful 6502 processor, innovative use of floppy disks, and support for BASIC programming made it a revolutionary product in its time. Its legacy laid the groundwork for future personal computers and established Apple as a leader in the burgeoning tech industry. The Apple II remains an iconic symbol of the early personal computing era, reflecting a generation's transition into a digitally connected world.
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