Abstract: Email functions, such as, for example, reply, reply to all, forward, delete, mark as unread, and mark as spam are made accessible to a user through a browser independent sidebar. In one embodiment, email messages stored by an email service provider comprise a first identifier used by a first email retrieval client and a second identifier used by the sidebar. In one embodiment, a protocol used by the sidebar to retrieve messages is augmented to comprise the first identifier, so that the sidebar can use email functions, such as, for example, mark as spam, that identify messages using the first identifier.

Abstract: A method of notifying a user about the existence of relevant software and facilitating the installation of such software using a browser. A user's interactions with the browser are monitored to determine a context for a given browsing session, and it is determined whether software relevant to the context is available. If such software is available, it is recommended to the user, and if the user wishes to install the software, the installation can be performed via the browser. The software can be recommended to the user through a variety of means, including incorporating the recommendation in a static web page, incorporating the recommendation in a dynamic web page, and delivering the recommendation as part of advertising content. The recommendation may include a link to installation scripts or the like which facilitate the installation of the software by the browser.

Abstract: A browsing application for accessing resources over a network includes code for receiving a command from a user to translate textual material appearing on an arbitrary page displayed in the content display area, and code for causing the textual material to be passed to a translation resource on the network, whereby the display area of the browsing application is caused to display a page which includes a translation of the textual material. The application may display a menu accessible from an arbitrary page whereby the user may select among translation options such as a translate to language and a translate from language. The application may be configured to cause text selected by a user to be translated, and/or may cause an entire page to be translated. Translated text may be displayed along with graphics in a layout similar to that of the original page.

Abstract: A method of notifying a user about the existence of relevant software and facilitating the installation of such software using a browser. A user's interactions with the browser are monitored to determine a context for a given browsing session, and it is determined whether software relevant to the context is available. If such software is available, it is recommended to the user, and if the user wishes to install the software, the installation can be performed via the browser. The software can be recommended to the user through a variety of means, including incorporating the recommendation in a static web page, incorporating the recommendation in a dynamic web page, and delivering the recommendation as part of advertising content. The recommendation may include a link to installation scripts or the like which facilitate the installation of the software by the browser.

Abstract: A browsing application in one embodiment includes instructions for accessing a resource over a network using a general purpose computer, the instructions comprising code for examining an address field of the browsing application and matching a first string input therein with at least one shortcut in a predefined list of shortcuts to search resources on the network, code for using the shortcut list to identify at least a portion of a predefined URL associated with the matched first string, and code for causing a second string input into the address field to be passed as a parameter to a resource on said network and associated with the predefined URL. In another embodiment, the browsing application includes instructions including code for using a string input into an address field of the browsing application to generate and display a task list which includes a plurality of possible resources to which the string can be passed.

Abstract: Sidebars group a plurality of Internet and other services in one easily accessible location on the desktop. In one embodiment, a user's sidebar preferences, such as, for example, the types of applications modules that populate their sidebar are stored by an Internet content provider on a network server. A user can access their personal sidebar preferences from any computer with an Internet connection. In addition, in one embodiment, application module information loaded into the application modules is also stored on a server, thus changes made in a sidebar are reflected in their “full service” counterpart applications.

Abstract: Email functions, such as, for example, reply, reply to all, forward, delete, mark as unread, and mark as spam are made accessible to a user through a browser independent sidebar. In one embodiment, email messages stored by an email service provider comprise a first identifier used by a first email retrieval client and a second identifier used by the sidebar. In one embodiment, a protocol used by the sidebar to retrieve messages is augmented to comprise the first identifier, so that the sidebar can use email functions, such as, for example, mark as spam, that identify messages using the first identifier.

Abstract: A method of transferring content between a plurality of devices, one embodiment of the method comprising opening a network browsing application on a first device; identifying content to be transferred to at least one second device; causing a content transfer user interface to be opened on the first device; identifying the at least one second device; and, causing the identified content to be transferred to the at least one identified second device.

Abstract: A method and user interfaces for permitting a user to define and edit a set of web sites to be loaded when a network browsing application is loaded. This allows the user to easily keep track of the latest changes to one or more of the user's favorite web sites, to track the status of corporate information, or the like. The set of web sites can be individually controlled, or an administrator or other entity may specify at least a subset of the set of web sites to be loaded.

Abstract: A browsing application for accessing resources over a network includes code for receiving a command from a user to translate textual material appearing on an arbitrary page displayed in the content display area, and code for causing the textual material to be passed to a translation resource on the network, whereby the display area of the browsing application is caused to display a page which includes a translation of the textual material. The application may display a menu accessible from an arbitrary page whereby the user may select among translation options such as a translate to language and a translate from language. The application may be configured to cause text selected by a user to be translated, and/or may cause an entire page to be translated. Translated text may be displayed along with graphics in a layout similar to that of the original page.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program product, and computer system for ensuring consistency between data displayed by multiple independent client programs that can simultaneously display server-provided data. The data are accessible only from a server that is not persistently connected to the client computer system(s) displaying the data, so the client programs cannot retrieve the data independently without sending a request to the server. Client programs do not poll the server by sending a request to learn that data capable of being displayed by the multiple client programs have been updated. Instead, client programs are notified by the server program receiving the request to change the data at the time the request is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a client-side information store with a server-side database in a client/server architecture are disclosed. The method includes receiving data and receiving a script. The script defines a function of a control, and the function allows the control to perform an operation using the data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer system and computer program product that enable a server to provide information and control the display of the information at a client dynamically without being persistently connected to the client. Functionality of the user interface can be changed without changing a client application displaying the information, installing a new application on the client computer system, or maintaining a persistent network connection between the client computer system and the server computer system. A control program running on the client computer system is configured to operate according to instructions provided by the server. The instructions provide information such as particular modules to present within the user interface and the layout of windows that provide access to the modules. The server also provides instructions for responses to be performed upon receiving events.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer system, and computer program product to optimize space available for displaying text descriptions in a limited area, such as a sidebar. Space is optimized by displaying only the maximum portion of the text describing each selection that will fit within the limited area, thereby allowing space to display additional text descriptions in the remaining portion of the limited area. Positioning a pointer over the maximum portion of the text causes the complete portion of the text to be displayed. The complete portion of the text can serve as a link to content related to the text. Space is also optimized by providing a thin scroll bar to add space for displaying content within a window.