SOFTWARE PLATFORM HAVING A REAL WORLD INTERFACE WITH ANIMATED CHARACTERS

A software development platform generates a user interface that adopts a real world metaphor. In particular, the user interface appears to a user as containing rooms of a home. The user can specify what rooms are to be included in the home and can specify the style of the appearance of the rooms of the home. The user interface serves as a vehicle for the user to invoke applications and perform tasks. The user interface also generates a personal character for each user. The personal character is an animated guide that helps to assist the user in using the computer. Specialized characters may also be provided to perform specialized tasks.