Direct Manipulation user interfaces, based on drag-and-droppable on-screen widgets, can provide fast, efficient, intuitive, and appealing data manipulation in your application. Familiar examples include dragging files around the desktop and dragging appointments around a calendar, but it is surprisingly easy, using Java Swing, to go beyond these cases to GUIs which make users say "Wow!" yet also provide clear business value by minimizing training and operation time.

In this talk you will see direct manipulation principles applied to real-world application needs, and learn how to code the resulting GUIs and integrate them with typical data-intensive applications.

While the examples use Java Swing, the idea apply to other GUI systems as well, including SWT and even (with effective use of JavaScript) web applications.

Kyle Cordes is a developer and consultant with expertise and experience in many technologies, including Java, Delphi, .NET, XML, assembly language, database systems, PHP, J2EE, and more. His recent projects include wireless data access, mobile and PDA application, and high volume enterprise applications, as well as development methodologies assistance (including Extreme Programming) and software project leadership. His firm, Oasis Digital, provides software development, training, and to clients around the country. Kyle has used Java since 1995, .NET since 2001, and is a "Sun Certified Java Developer for the Java 2 Platform". Kyle also publishes articles on his web site and speaks at user groups and other events. Visit www.kylecordes.com and www.oasisdigital.com for more information.