A computer network (20) having a plurality of terminals (22) and
several network servers (26, 28, 30) are operative to develop context-sensitive,
dynamic graphical user interfaces (32) which are programmed centrally by
the network servers (26, 28, 30). XML packets (142, 144) are used
to transfer information regarding the graphical user interfaces (32) between
the terminals (22) and the network servers (26, 28, 30). The graphical
user interface (32) is a layered multimedia environment having a background
movie (248) played beneath substantially all of a plurality of screen application
regions (220-230). A interactive control movie (240) is displayed
in one of the screen application regions and includes control tabs (242)
and dynamic button controls (244). A browser application (250) may
be embedded in the background movie (248) as part of the layered media environment.
Multiple applications can be operated in the selected screen application region,
so each application is provided with a top tab (246) enabling users to bring
the desired application to the top of the application panels.