A system and method for generating a dynamic pointer having time-dependent
informational content in a computer system. The system includes an object
identification module for identifying objects or areas of interest aligned
with the pointer. A pointer appearance selection module is provided for
selecting a pointer appearance from a sequential set thereof based on the
elapsed time during which the pointer has been aligned with the identified
object. The selected pointer appearance is then displayed at the pointer
position. In this manner, a substantially continuous visual transformation
of the pointer is presented to the viewer while the pointer is maintained
in alignment with the object or area of interest.