The Alto ran BravoEarly WYSIWYG word processor developed at Xerox PARC for the Alto — influenced later document editors. word processing and SmalltalkAn object-oriented language and environment from Xerox PARC — pioneered GUIs and live programming. — Steve Jobs saw it and pushed the Macintosh toward GUIGraphical user interface — windows, icons, and pointers instead of typed commands. computing. EthernetA wired local networking standard — the dominant way offices and homes connect devices to a LAN., WYSIWYGWhat You See Is What You Get — editing where the screen closely matches printed output. editing, and overlapping windows were prototyped here years before they reached consumer PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines.s. Developers study Alto as the ancestor of every desktop and laptop UIUser interface — the parts of software people see and interact with..

The Alto was the first personal workstationA powerful desktop machine for technical work — between personal computers and minicomputers in price and capability. built for graphical computing from the ground up.

It proved GUIGraphical user interface — windows, icons, and pointers instead of typed commands.s, networking, and laser printing belonged on every desk — not just lab demos.