UniveRSS
UniveRSS is the name of a discontinued 3D RSS feed reader developed by Microsoft to showcase the capabilities of the Windows Presentation Foundation and other technologies available in the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.[1] UniveRSS was released at The Panel, a website by Microsoft dedicated to creating showcase applications highlighting the new user experiences made possible by the Windows Presentation Foundation and the other technologies included with Windows Vista.[2]
Details
UniveRSS is a showcase RSS feed reading application developed by Microsoft. UniveRSS creates a universe where subscribed RSS feeds are represented as three-dimensional objects suspended in space; the size of, and distance between, these objects is proportionate to the number of unread feeds (i.e., a larger object indicates a larger number of unread feeds).
Controls
UniveRSS supports both mouse and keyboard-based navigation; the application differs from traditional feed readers in that its navigational controls simulate those included in traditional computer games.[3] A list of navigational controls for UniveRSS was released by Microsoft:
- Left mouse click: Selects objects, folders, and other items. Holding down the left mouse button navigates the X and Z axis (horizontal and vertical directions).
- Right mouse click: Deselects a selected item, or returns to a previous item or location. Holding down the right mouse button navigates the X and Y axis.
- Navigational keys: While holding down the space bar, the arrow keys of a keyboard navigate the X and Y axis.
- Ctrl + V: Changes the view to a pad-view.
- Mouse scroll wheel: By holding down the right mouse button and using a mouse scroll wheel to scroll, users can navigate through UniveRSS with only one hand. Navigation through the X and Y axis is provided with the mouse button; the scroll wheel navigates through the Z axis.
Microsoft stated that it intended to provide additional keyboard controls in later versions of the application.[3]
Requirements
System requirements for UniveRSS are the same as those for machines capable of running Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Aero.[1]
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB of system memory
- Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Microsoft. UniveRSS - a 3D Vista RSS reader"
- ↑ Microsoft. "The Panel - Creating front end experiences"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Microsoft. "Keyboard Maps and Mouse Controls"
