To use the Workplace Shell (WPS) a user must understand the topics covered below. The user must know how to select an object, how to open a view (or window) of that object, and how to perform some basic actions on that object, such as printing, copying, creating, tailoring, and deleting.
Most importantly, however, the user must start thinking about objects instead of applications. The metaphor behind the Workplace Shell is data-centric rather than application-centric. Once the object/data is found, the operating system does the rest. Some of the navigation and operation can be done using the keyboard but it is almost impossible to work without a mouse.