Abstract: A method for a computer system including a memory includes storing a plurality of statements in the memory, selecting a first subset of statements from the plurality of statements, sending the first subset of statements to a first user at a computer client, receiving a first selection of statements, the first selection of statement selected from the first subset of statements by the first user, selecting a second subset of statements from the plurality of statements in response to the first selection of statements by the first user, sending the second subset of statements to a second user at a computer client, receiving a second selection of statements, the second selection of statement selected from the second subset of statements by the second user, determining a proposed selection of statements from the plurality of statements in response to the first selection of statements by the first user and to the second selection of statements by the second user, sending the proposed selection of statements to a thi

Abstract: A method implemented on a network of computers for allowing a plurality of users to collaborate in decision making to solve a problem, includes the steps of processing, at a central server, a group of proposals for solving the problem, submitting the group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from the plurality of users, selections of proposals from the group of proposals. Determining, at the central server, a narrowed group of proposals in response to the selections of proposals, communicating the narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at the remote clients, each proposal in the narrowed group of proposals including sets of statements, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from one of the plurality of users, suggestions for modifying proposals in the narrowed group of proposals, are also included.

Abstract: A distributed-object software application is capable of recovering from a server crash. The recovery is transparent to the client objects because the client objects do not have to be re-started or re-loaded. Proxies on the client machine handle the details of communication over the network with server objects. An intelligent proxy detects a server crash when no response is received from the server object. The intelligent proxy then sends a name identifier of the server object to a locator. The locator looks up the name identifier and returns a remote reference to another running instance of the server object. If no other running instance exists, the locator loads the server object onto another server machine. The intelligent proxy uses the remote reference from the locator to establish a connection with the new server machine and a session with the new server object. The intelligent proxy stored the last state of the server object before the crash.

Abstract: A method implemented on a network of computers for allowing a plurality of users to collaborate in decision making to solve a problem, includes the steps of processing, at a central server, a group of proposals for solving the problem, submitting the group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from the plurality of users, selections of proposals from the group of proposals. Determining, at the central server, a narrowed group of proposals in response to the selections of proposals, communicating the narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at the remote clients, each proposal in the narrowed group of proposals including sets of statements, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from one of the plurality of users, suggestions for modifying proposals in the narrowed group of proposals, are also included.