A computer network (20) having a plurality of terminals (22) and several network servers (26, 28, 30) are operative to develop context-sensitive, dynamic graphical user interfaces (32) which are programmed centrally by the network servers (26, 28, 30). XML packets (142, 144) are used to transfer information regarding the graphical user interfaces (32) between the terminals (22) and the network servers (26, 28, 30). The graphical user interface (32) is a layered multimedia environment having a background movie (248) played beneath substantially all of a plurality of screen application regions (220-230). A interactive control movie (240) is displayed in one of the screen application regions and includes control tabs (242) and dynamic button controls (244). A browser application (250) may be embedded in the background movie (248) as part of the layered media environment. Multiple applications can be operated in the selected screen application region, so each application is provided with a top tab (246) enabling users to bring the desired application to the top of the application panels.