INTEGRATED TIME LINE FOR EDITING

A method of manipulating a time based stream of information through use of a user interface to generate a presentation is provided in which a processing system is employed. The methods use references to a selected time based stream of information as editing tools. The user interface has functionality to display only a single time line for aligning reference elements to visual time based stream of information. The references may include a variety of edit features that enhance the presentation. Some mechanisms for moving the reference elements on the user interface are drag and drop and/or cut and paste procedures. Other aspects of the present invention relating to the processing system providing convenient user interface and editing tools for use in authoring a presentation of a time based stream of information are also described.