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I 56 Chapter 2 Understanding and conceptualizing interaction

Interface metaphors are often actually composites, i.e., they combine quite different pieces
of familiar knowledge with the system functionality. We already mentioned the "search en-
gine" as one such example. Can you think of any others?

Comment Some other examples include:
Scrollbar--combines the concept of a scroll with a bar, as in bar chart
Toolbar--combines the idea of a set of tools with a bar
Portal website-a gateway to a particular collection of pages of networked information

Benefits of interface metaphors
Interface metaphors have proven to be highly successful, providing users with a
familiar orienting device and helping them understand and learn how to use a sys-
tem. People find it easier to learn and talk about what they are doing at the com-