Patent ID: 7437005

Claim:
In a computing environment, a method for visually arranging and managing digital files in categories based on interaction by a user with a graphical user interface displaying the digital files and categories for the digital files, the method comprising: accessing a set of digital data, the set of digital data comprising a plurality of digital files to be categorized by a user in one or more of a plurality of different categories; simultaneously displaying a plurality of digital files of the digital data set for categorization by the user, wherein the plurality of digital files for categorization by the user are displayed in a window of a graphical user interface and arranged in a one-dimensional framework, such that regardless of the number of digital files in the set of digital data, each of the plurality of digital files is displayable in the one-dimensional framework in a single, generally linear stream of images, and such that each of the plurality of digital files displayed in the single, generally linear stream of images is selectable by scrolling through the images in a linear direction; while displaying the generally linear stream of images, displaying at least one category available for categorizing the plurality of digital files, wherein the at least one category is displayed in a category area, and wherein the category area displays thumbnail images of the digital files of the set of digital data which are associated with the category; receiving user scrolling instructions via a selection device to scroll linearly through the linear stream of images to select a particular digital file from among the plurality of digital files to be categorized by the user, and such that the selected particular digital file is viewed in context with other digital files simultaneously displayed on either side of the selected digital file within the single, generally linear stream of images; receiving user selection of a particular category corresponding to the particular digital file, wherein the particular category is identified by user input in the form of user selection of a directional button, the directional button identifying a direction perpendicular to the generally linear stream of images; storing category information in association with the particular digital file, the category information corresponding to how the particular digital file has been categorized by the user; and after receiving the user selection of the particular category, displaying a thumbnail image of the particular digital file in a category area associated with the particular category selected by the user.