A processing architecture includes an object instantiation and interaction engine, an CUE interface, and remote processes to create, access, and process objects in a distributed manner. The CUE interface uses an interface wheel divided into portions denoted who, what, when, where, why, how, and now. Selection of a particular portion provides the user with control related to that portion. The interface is adaptable for use with a wide variety of machines, including computers, televisions, telephones, security systems, and automobiles. The wheel is implemented as a display on a video monitor or as a physical disk. Each portion of the wheel is assigned a color that serves as a mnemonic for that portion. A hierarchical network of engines provides distributed storage and access to data in conjunction with the CUE interface.