View source for Icon bar

{{short description|Operating system element}}
{{About|the {{nowrap|RISC OS}} feature|the {{nowrap|RISC OS}} website|The Icon Bar}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2012}}
In [[computing]], the '''icon bar''' is the name of the [[dock (computing)|dock]] in [[Acorn Computers|Acorn]]'s [[RISC OS]] [[operating system]], and is fundamental to the OS. Its introduction in 1987 (as part of ''Arthur'', the predecessor to {{nowrap|RISC OS}}) was a new concept in [[GUI]]s.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.osnews.com/story/18941
| title = Common Usability Terms: pt. VI: the Dock 
| access-date = 2011-06-13
| last = Holwerda
| first = Thom
| date = 2007-11-18
| publisher = [[OSNews]]
| quote = [...] the first public appearance of the dock was the Iconbar in Arthur.
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://arstechnica.com/old/content/2005/05/gui.ars/6
| title = A History of the GUI
| access-date = 2011-06-01
| last = Reimer
| first = Jeremy
| date = 2005-05-05
| work = Ars Technica
| publisher = Ars Technica
| quote = This GUI [...] introduced a new concept: a "Dock" or shelf at the bottom of the screen where shortcuts to launch common programs and tools could be kept.}}
</ref> It displays icons through which access is provided to all parts of the [[computer]] that a typical user will require, from physical devices and system utilities to running applications, and will usually be their starting point for interacting with the system once it has finished [[booting]].

== Appearance and features ==
The bar is fixed in height and located at the bottom of the screen. It takes up the full width of the screen, and a single row of icons is displayed within. Icons are either justified to the left or the right edge of the screen, at the control of the owning program. According to Acorn's official RISC OS [[Style Guide]], a program should place its icons to the left hand side of the icon bar if they relate to physical devices or resources such as [[File system|filing systems]]. These will have an item of text underneath them identifying the device or resource. All other icons should be placed on the right of the bar.<ref>''RISC OS 3 Style Guide'', p.94. Acorn Computers Limited, 1993, {{ISBN|978-1-85250-148-8}}</ref><ref>''RISC OS Style Guide'', p.104. RISC OS Open Limited, 2015, {{ISBN|978-0-99319-480-1}}</ref> If too many icons are present to be displayed at once then the icon bar will extend horizontally and become wider than the screen; in order to access the non-visible icons the user must scroll the bar by hovering the mouse pointer at the appropriate edge of the screen.

The result of clicking the left mouse button (known as the ''Select'' button) on an icon will vary depending on what the icon represents. For filing systems, a filer window will open containing the contents of the root directory. For document-oriented applications supporting multiple open documents, clicking ''Select'' will open a window containing a new, empty document. This is different from the behaviour of the typical [[Taskbar]] and [[Dock (computing)|Dock]], where clicking an icon will result in a [[Context switch|task switch]] (All windows associated with the icon will be brought to the front of the window stack and will gain [[Focus (computing)|input focus]]). For programs that do not support multiple open documents, clicking its icon will typically result in the task switch behaviour.

By pressing the middle (''Menu'') mouse button while the pointer is over an icon, a [[Context sensitive user interface|context-sensitive menu]] associated with that icon will open. Although the owner of the icon is responsible for the contents of the menu, the menus for icons with similar functions will typically contain the same subset of options. For example, filing systems will allow the naming and formatting of disks, as well as an option to open a window displaying free space. Most applications will provide access to an ''Info'' window (displaying the [[Software versioning|version number]] and copyright information), [[online help]], and a quit option.

Drag and Drop, Filer Icons (File or Directory) can be dragged and dropped on top of an icon bar icon to initiate a process, if the object type is known to the application. For example:

* Copying a file or directory to the root of a floppy or network drive
* Adding a file or directory to a compressed archive
* Opening a text file in a word-processor
* Playing a music file or video
* Deleting a file by placing it in the waste bin

Even if there are no running applications or active filing systems, the icon bar will contain a small number of system-managed icons:

* The ''Apps'' icon, located within the left-hand group of icons. This was introduced in [[RISC OS#RISC OS 3|RISC OS 3]] as a way to access the applications built into the computer's [[Read-only memory|ROM]]. It is actually just a frontend to the read-only ResourceFS filing system; when the icon is clicked it opens the Resources:$.Apps folder. Although ResourceFS is read-only via the usual filing system interface, system [[Application programming interface|APIs]] can be used to add or replace files. In RISC OS 3.5 this functionality was leveraged to allow the user to easily add his own applications to the Apps folder, via the ''AddApp''<ref name="starcommands1">{{Cite web |url=http://acorn.riscos.com/riscos3/37/37DiscImage/Tutorials/StarComms |title="Star Command Summaries" |access-date=2008-08-31 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201114639/http://acorn.riscos.com/riscos3/37/37DiscImage/Tutorials/StarComms |archive-date=2013-02-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="starcommands2">[http://everything2.com/title/RISC%2520OS%2520star%2520commands "RISC OS Star Commands@Everything2.com"]</ref> star command. The applications inserted using ''AddApp'' are simple [[Computer shortcut|shell applications]] that will just execute the real, original copy of the application when they are started. This allows the applications to be added without using significant amounts of [[Random access memory|RAM]] and restricting them to read-only access to their internal files.
* The ''Task Manager'' icon, located to the far right of the icon bar. When clicked with the left mouse button this opens a window similar to that of the [[Windows Task Manager]], where the running programs and processes are listed, along with their memory usage. Basic control over the processes is also available (forced termination and in some cases manual control over how much memory is allocated). From the task manager's icon bar menu it is also possible to shut down the computer, exit the window manager to the single-tasking [[command line interface|CLI]], or open a multi-tasking CLI window. A ''desktop boot file'' can also be saved, which contains the current state of the desktop and any loaded programs. In theory this provides full [[Hibernate (OS feature)|hibernation]] support, although in reality because each program is responsible for saving and restoring its state within the file, the computer's state after executing the saved boot file will not be identical to its state before.
* The ''Display Manager'' icon is located just to the left of the task manager. This allows selection of which [[display mode]] is in use. In versions of RISC OS prior to 3.5, where memory restrictions forced most people to use modes with 16 or less colours, it was also possible to alter the current [[Palette (computing)|palette]] from this icon.

In RISC OS 3 the AddTinyDir<ref name="starcommands1"/><ref name="starcommands2"/> star command was introduced, which allows an icon for any file, folder or application to be added to the left-hand side of the icon bar. This provides functionality similar to that later embodied in the [[Dock (Mac OS X)|Mac OS X dock]].<ref>[http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/10/road_to_mac_os_x_leopard_dock_1_6.html "AppleInsider: Road to Mac OS X Leopard: Dock 1.6"]</ref>

== History and evolution ==

=== Arthur ===
{{multiple image
| align     =
| direction = vertical
| header    = The [[History of RISC OS#Arthur|Arthur]] icon bar, 1987
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| image2    = Arthur Icon Bar 1987.PNG
| width2    =arthur Icon Bar 1987 .PNG
| alt2      = Screenshot of the icon bar under Arthur showing the following: Left portion, from left{{snd}} Discs (in this case a single floppy disc), Right portion, from right{{snd}} Exit, Calc, Alarm, Diary, Edit, Paint

| caption2  = Appearance after a typical unmodified system boot
}}
The icon bar first appeared in the [[Arthur (operating system)|Arthur]] operating system, in 1987. To the right was an ''Exit'' icon, which provided an exit to the command line (later to be replaced by the ''Task Manager''). In keeping with the operating system as a whole, the icon bar reflected the multicolour appearance, being orange in colour

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=== RISC OS 2 ===
{{multiple image
| align     =
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| header    = The [[History of RISC OS#RISC OS 2|RISC OS 2]] icon bar, 1988
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| image2    = RISC OS Icon Bar 1988.PNG
| width2    =
| alt2      = Screenshot of the icon bar under RISC OS 2 showing the following: Left portion, from left{{snd}} Discs (in this case a floppy disc and hard disc), Right portion, from right{{snd}} Task Manager, Display Manager

| caption2  = Appearance after a typical unmodified system boot
}}
RISC OS 2 in 1988 introduced the ''Task Manager'' and ''Display'' icons, with the ''Task Manager'' adopting Acorn's [[Archimedes (computer)|Archimedes]] logo. The colour scheme was also revised and a suite of applications supplied on floppy disk. Amongst these was one called {{'}}''TinyDirs''{{'}}, which allowed users to dock applications and directories on the icon bar for convenient access.<ref>''A3000 User Guide'', p.181. Acorn Computers Limited, {{ISBN|978-1-85250-065-8}}</ref>

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=== RISC OS 3 ===
{{multiple image
| align     =
| direction = vertical
| header    = The [[History of RISC OS#RISC OS 3|RISC OS 3]] icon bar, 1991
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| width     = 320
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| image2    = RISC OS Icon Bar 1991.PNG
| width2    =
| alt2      = Screenshot of the icon bar under RISC OS 3 showing the following: Left portion, from left{{snd}} Discs (in this case a hard disc and floppy disc), Apps folder (Resources:$.Apps), Right portion, from right{{snd}} Task Manager, Display Manager
| caption2  = Appearance after a typical unmodified system boot
}}
RISC OS 3 in 1991 introduced the ''Apps'' icon to the left and replaced the ''Task Manager''{{'}}s Archimedes logo with the Acorn nut. ''Apps'' provided access to the ROM based applications and the functionality of {{'}}''TinyDirs''{{'}} was replaced by the OS command ''AddTinyDir''. The {{'}}''Shift-F12''{{'}} [[keyboard shortcut]] and icon grouping were also added, with the intention of simplifying the finding of desired icons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~theom/riscos/docs/RO3MarketingQandA.txt |title=RISC OS 3 Q&A
 |publisher=[[Acorn Computers]] |access-date=2011-06-14 |quote= * Grouping of icon bar icons. On RISC OS 3 icons of the same type will appear on the icon bar in a group, regardless of the order they were added to the icon bar. For instance all hard disc icons will appear in a group, and so will all the fileserver icons. This makes finding the icon you want easier. * New hot keys. New hot keys are provided to [...] move the icon bar to the front [...]}}</ref>
The whole of RISC OS, including the icon bar, was given a facelift in 1993 including replacement of the flat grey colour with a textured [[computer wallpaper|wallpaper]]. This was referred to as the 3D "Look and Feel".<ref>
{{cite web
 |url         = http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/docs/Acorn/DN/Acorn_DevNL28.pdf
 |title       = Developers' Newsletter No 28 - March 1993
 |access-date  = 2011-06-01
 |date        = March 1993
 |format      = PDF
 |publisher   = [[Acorn Computers]]
 |quote       = Adoption of a 3D 'Look and Feel' [...] (delivered by means of an application called !Newlook) [...]
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718093121/http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/docs/Acorn/DN/Acorn_DevNL28.pdf
 |archive-date = 2011-07-18
}}
</ref>
In 1994, this 3D look was provided as standard with the release of RISC OS 3.5 on the {{nowraplinks|[[Risc PC]]}} series.
The "nested Wimp" introduced in 1998 (as a soft load for existing machines) added the feature to temporarily bring the icon bar to the front of the window stack by moving the pointer to the bottom of the screen (previously this required {{'}}''Shift-F12''{{'}} on the keyboard).<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.vigay.com/inet/acorn/nested.html
| title = Acorn Nested Window Manager Functional Specification
| access-date = 2014-06-14
| date = April 1998
| publisher = [[Acorn Computers]]
| quote = the main features are [...] Icon bar auto-fronting}}
</ref>

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=== RISC OS 4 ===
{{multiple image
| align     =
| direction = vertical
| header    = The [[History of RISC OS#RISC OS 4|RISC OS 4]] icon bar, 1999
| header_align =
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| footer    =
| footer_align =
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| width     = 320
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| image2    = RISC OS Icon Bar 1999.PNG
| width2    =
| alt2      = Screenshot of the icon bar under RISC OS 4 showing the following: Left portion, from left{{snd}} Discs (in this case a hard disc and floppy disc), OmniClient (Network Filer), Apps folder (Resources:$.Apps), RamFS, Recycle bin, Right portion, from right{{snd}} Task Manager, Display Manager, Alarm, Paint
| caption2  = Appearance after launching a number of devices and applications
}}
RISC OS 4 in 1999 introduced the facility for iconised windows to be sent to the icon bar rather than the Pinboard. The facelift introduced in RISC OS 3.5 was also incorporated directly into the OS, as well as the method of popping the icon bar to the front.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.riscos.com/risc_os_4/Features.htm
| title = RISC OS 4 feature lists
| access-date = 2011-06-01
| year = 1999
| publisher = [[RISCOS Ltd]]
| quote = Moving the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen will pop the iconbar to the front. The [...] "3D patch" is now optionally integrated into the window manager [...] [N]ow set where various types of file, or iconised window, gravitate to when placed on the pinboard. [...] iconised windows, which can be sent to the iconbar [...]
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130201101326/http://www.riscos.com/risc_os_4/Features.htm
| archive-date = 2013-02-01
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The ''Task Manager'' icon was again replaced, this time with the {{nowrap|RISC OS 4}} cube logo used by {{nowraplinks|[[RISCOS Ltd]]}}. Later versions of {{nowrap|RISC OS 4}} replaced the ''Task Manager''{{'}}s cube with the cogwheel, designed by Richard Hallas.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://select.riscos.com/Information/cogwheel.htm
| title = The new RISC OS cogwheel
| access-date = 2011-06-02
| year = 2001
| publisher = [[RISCOS Ltd]]
| quote = Richard Hallas explains the thinking behind the new RISC OS logo
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130201080317/http://select.riscos.com/Information/cogwheel.htm
| archive-date = 2013-02-01
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://foundation.riscos.com/html/features/07/riscos/riscos.htm
| title = Rebranding RISC OS
| access-date = 2011-06-01
| last = Hallas
| first = Richard
| year = 2001
| publisher = [[RISCOS Ltd]]
| quote = What was needed was a new device; a graphical design that could be used in many different situations to mean just "RISC OS" (any version).
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130201215419/http://foundation.riscos.com/html/features/07/riscos/riscos.htm
| archive-date = 2013-02-01
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

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=== RISC OS 5 ===

{{multiple image
| align     =
| direction = vertical
| header    = The [[History of RISC OS#RISC OS 5|RISC OS 5]] icon bar, 2002
| header_align =
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| footer_align =
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| width     = 320
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| image1    = Iconbar ro5 256col 640w base.png
| width1    =
| alt1      = Screenshot of the icon bar under RISC OS 5 showing the following: Left portion, from left{{snd}} Discs (in this case a single USB flash drive via SCSIFS), Apps folder (Resources:$.Apps), Right portion, from right{{snd}} Task Manager, Display Manager
| caption1  = Appearance after a typical unmodified system boot

| image2    = Iconbar ro5 256col 640w apps.png
| width2    =
| alt2      = Screenshot of the icon bar under RISC OS 5 showing the following: Left portion, from left{{snd}} Discs (in this case a single USB flash drive via SCSIFS), Apps folder (Resources:$.Apps), OmniClient (Network Filer), Printers, Right portion, from right{{snd}} Task Manager, Help, Display Manager, Alarm, Edit, Draw, Paint, SciCalc
| caption2  = Appearance after launching a number of devices and applications
}}

RISC OS 5 in 2002 introduced further changes in icon design, including the [[Iyonix PC|Iyonix]] 'blue jellybean' ''Task Manager'' icon, again designed by Richard Hallas.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.richardhallas.freeuk.com/iyonix/design.htm
| title = Icon Do It!
| access-date = 2011-06-01
| last = Hallas
| first = Richard
| publisher = Richard Hallas, [[Risc User]]
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081123122056/http://www.richardhallas.freeuk.com/iyonix/design.htm
| archive-date = 2008-11-23
| quote = This article is here, though, mainly as a preface to the complementary article about the new icon set designed for RISC OS 5.}}
</ref>

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=== RISC OS 6 ===
RISC OS 6 in 2006 introduced the number 6 in the centre of the ''Task Manager''{{'}}s cogwheel icon. Where appropriate, Adjust (right mouse button) clicks perform consistent operations such as loading the configuration choices for parts of the system.

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== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{RISC OS}}

[[Category:RISC OS]]
[[Category:Graphical user interface elements]]