Icon (computing): Encyclopedia BETA


* Function or program icons
* Document icons


* Function or program icons
* Document icons
* See also


Icon (computing)


Nuvola icons for KDE are available in PNG format, which come in six
sizes, and SVG format, which is scalable


sizes, and SVG format, which is scalable
On Computer Displays, a computer icon is a small pictogram. Icons have


On Computer Displays, a computer icon is a small pictogram. Icons have
been used to supplement the normal Alphanumerics of the computer.


Modern computers now can handle bitmapped graphics on the Display
Terminal, so the icons are widely used to assist users.
A computer icon usually ranges from 16 by 16 pixels up to 128 by 128


Terminal, so the icons are widely used to assist users.
A computer icon usually ranges from 16 by 16 pixels up to 128 by 128
pixels. When the Graphical output device has a smaller size, the icon


A computer icon usually ranges from 16 by 16 pixels up to 128 by 128
pixels. When the Graphical output device has a smaller size, the icon
size is small. Vision impaired users (due to such conditions as poor


lighting, tired eyes, medical impairments, bright backgrounds, or
color blindness) may need to utilize the self-selected icon size
options.


options.
Icons may represents a file, folder, application or device on a
computer operating system. In modern usage today, the Icon can


Icons may represents a file, folder, application or device on a
computer operating system. In modern usage today, the Icon can
represent anything that the users want it to: any macro command or


process, mood-signalling, or any other indicator. User friendliness
also demands error-free operation, where the icons are distinct from
each other, self explanatory, and easily visible under all possible


user setups.
Icons were first developed as a tool for making computer interfaces
easier for novices to grasp in the 1970s at the Xerox Palo Alto


easier for novices to grasp in the 1970s at the Xerox Palo Alto
Research Center facility. Icon-driven interfaces were later
popularized by the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating


environments.
Icons may also be found on the desktop, toolbars and in the menus of
computer application software such as Microsoft Word. Icons are made


Icons may also be found on the desktop, toolbars and in the menus of
computer application software such as Microsoft Word. Icons are made
more use-friendly by being very clear from every other icon. Each


computer application software such as Microsoft Word. Icons are made
more use-friendly by being very clear from every other icon. Each
Icon-set may also have unifying features that show that similar icons


more use-friendly by being very clear from every other icon. Each
Icon-set may also have unifying features that show that similar icons


Icon-set may also have unifying features that show that similar icons
are related to each other. Icons show this by:


Icon-set may also have unifying features that show that similar icons
are related to each other. Icons show this by:
#Contrasting Sizes#Dark-Light#Square-grabbing (large or small area,


Virtually every major computer operating system has the ability to use
an icon-based graphical user interface (GUI) to display information to
end users.


Function or program icons


Several desktop icons from the Windows Vista operating system
Most computer functions in a GUI are represented by a function icon.


Several desktop icons from the Windows Vista operating system
Most computer functions in a GUI are represented by a function icon.
Placing the cursor on the icon, and clicking (or double-clicking) a


Most computer functions in a GUI are represented by a function icon.
Placing the cursor on the icon, and clicking (or double-clicking) a
mouse, trackball or other button usually starts the function or


program.
The creation of a good function icon can be considered as an art form
in itself, comparable to that practiced in the past in the domain of


Charles-Francois Daubigny.
The icon must be original, distinctive, and tiny and it must be useful
on a wide variety of monitors set at different resolutions. This work


is further complicated by the need to create several sets of function
icons for several types of views in several types of operating
systems, for any given program. For instance, the GUI guidelines in


one operating system might specify the need to create sets of 16, 32,
and 48 pixel icons for any program while the GUI guidelines in another
system might specify sets of 16, 24, 48 and 96 pixel icons for any


and 48 pixel icons for any program while the GUI guidelines in another
system might specify sets of 16, 24, 48 and 96 pixel icons for any
program.


Document icons


In certain views of folders or directories in a GUI all the documents
or files are represented as icons, in addition to their file name and,
in certain cases, other details. In most systems and for most files


in certain cases, other details. In most systems and for most files
these icons are generic images, representing the program used to
create the file, or the file type. In this case, the comments made in


create the file, or the file type. In this case, the comments made in
the previous paragraph concerning the icon as an art form also apply
to file icons.


the previous paragraph concerning the icon as an art form also apply
to file icons.
In the case of graphic files most modern systems replace the generic


In the case of graphic files most modern systems replace the generic
icon with a reduced image of the graphic. This reduced image usually
fits into a 128 by 128 or a 117 by 117 pixel box, depending on the


* The Iconfactory
* Windows Icon Image
* Apple Icon Image


* Windows Icon Image
* Apple Icon Image
* Free Icon Collections


* Apple Icon Image
* Free Icon Collections


*IconsReview.com Review of stock icon collections for software
developers and website designers (huge list of icon collections!)


*IconsReview.com Review of stock icon collections for software
developers and website designers (huge list of icon collections!)
*Chart / timeline of icons of various graphical user interfaces


developers and website designers (huge list of icon collections!)
*Chart / timeline of icons of various graphical user interfaces
*Microsoft's "Let's Make a Theme" containing Microsoft's definition of


*Microsoft's "Let's Make a Theme" containing Microsoft's definition of
'icon'.
*Microsoft's Creating Windows XP Icons


'icon'.
*Microsoft's Creating Windows XP Icons
*Apple Computer's Introduction to Apple Human Interface Guidelines


*Apple Computer's Introduction to Apple Human Interface Guidelines
article that contains the guidelines for doing Mac OS X icons
*KDE's Icon Style Guide


article that contains the guidelines for doing Mac OS X icons
*KDE's Icon Style Guide
*KDE Wiki on Icons


*KDE's Icon Style Guide
*KDE Wiki on Icons
*GNOME Human Interface Guidelines 2.0


*GNOME Human Interface Guidelines 2.0
*Favicon.ru -- make favicons and desktop icons from many types of
images and edit them in online editor


images and edit them in online editor
*widgetwidget -- desktop and application icons for the Windows &
Macintosh platforms