I've been playing Oblivion for about 4 years now, but have never understood what the different magic tabs separate?

I am talking about the magic spell icon you click on the UI inventory screen. Once you click on it, you have 4-5 tabs, the first one lists all your spells and scrolls. The last one indicates currently active spells/abilities/effects from curses/poisons etc.

What do the middle two (or three? I forget) tabs show? They have some spells and scrolls, but I haven't been able to figure out what is the order of classification? Are they supposed to be alteration spells, destruction spells, restoration spells etc.? I don't think this is the case, as there are only 2 (or 3, I forget) tabs.

Could someone clarify?

All spells, Touch Spells, Target Spells, self spells and Current Effects

Ah! This has indeed eluded me for so long! Thanks for clarifying this - I would have never guessed...

Yeah, that puzzled me awhile too. IRC,
tab 1 = all spells
tab 2 = target spells (meaning ranged)
tab 3 = touch spells
tab 4 = spells that target self
tab 5 = shows current effects on the player.

I might have target and touch reversed, but u can figure it out by looking at the spells listed on the tab.

edit: haha someone posted the answer while i was composing