Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.

Abstract: A technique for allowing a user to treat email addresses as objects both incoming and outgoing email messages is presented. A small icon is added to the text of each address which will vary depending on the pedigree of the address. The invention is not limited to single addresses. Rather, an entry denoting a mailing list could also be treated as an object and a unique icon could be employed to indicate the nature of the entry. For outgoing messages, the pedigree of the address or list is determined by monitoring where the user obtained the address. For incoming messages, the message header is parsed and searched to find addresses that match the receiving user's address book. If no match is found, a generic address icon is added before the text of the address, while the system checks the email header against other address sources such as server lists.

Abstract: Enhancement of electronic ink is achieved by automatically displaying a contrasting outline for the ink. The outline provides a visual transition between the ink and the underlying background. The outlining color may be chosen independent of the background color(s). Thus, a user may choose any ink color desired, without regard to the background, and the written ink will be legible over the background. Moreover, the user does not need to change ink color based on the background, but instead may maintain the same ink color over the entire background if the user so desires.

Abstract: A collaborative services platform may include a connectivity service, an activity service and a contact management service. The connectivity service may provide communicative connectivity between users of the collaborative services platform. The activity service may provide one or more collaborative activities supporting various modes of communication. The contact management service may maintain contact information for each of the users of the collaborative service platform. It may be that not every user is capable of participating in every collaborative activity. The contact information maintained by the contact management service may indicate the collaborative activities in which each user is capable of participating. A set of programmatic objects utilized to implement the collaborative services platform may include contact objects, conference objects, MeContact objects, endpoint objects, published objects and presence objects.

Abstract: Various entities need to share data among team members working on the same project without investing in specialized server software. To address this need, an existing standard file server is used to host data for sharing among the team. The file server has not been customized to share the data for the particular application. A user creates a special folder for a project at a user specified location on the file server. Data associated with the project is converted to files and stored in a structure of folders used by the file server to represent the data that is shared. Each client that has subscribed to this shared data synchronizes the data on their local computing device with the data on the file server. Security is provided by using the file server's built-in access controls.

Abstract: Automatic selection of an instant messenger (IM) client is made in response to a request to initiate a communication activity with a selected contact, such as an IM chat session. The IM client is selected according to which IM client is providing presence information related to the contact. The IM client is also selected according to which IM client is capable of handling the requested communication activity. An IM client may be selected if it can handle the requested communication activity irrespective of whether the contact is online with the IM client.

Abstract: Described is a system and method that enables project management across application programs, including an email program, calendar program, spreadsheet program, word processing program, note taking program and others. A central project-related view provides access to project-related data items and may display a schedule, a task list of tasks filtered as being relevant to a project, a note page related to a project, and emails relevant to the project. In addition, other application objects (file, documents, presentations and spreadsheets) are also captured in the view and presented for easy access. Metadata including a project identifier is maintained in a database for the various data items, allowing rapid location of the data items related to a project via query techniques. A project palette allows access to the items from within another application program, and a project gallery allows a user alternative access to the files related to a project.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a system and process for allowing a user to treat email addresses as objects. This allows easy manipulation of the email addresses, such as allowing them to be added to a contact list, copied to the computer's clipboard, or double-clicked to open the related contact information for that email address' sender. Email addresses are treated as objects in the message preview pane and full message windows of both incoming and outgoing email messages. A small icon is added to the text of each address. In a preferred embodiment, the icons will vary depending on the pedigree of the address. The invention is not limited to single addresses. Rather, an entry denoting a mailing list could also be treated as an object and a unique icon could be employed to indicate the nature of the entry. For outgoing messages, the pedigree of the address or list is determined by monitoring where the user obtained the address.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.