Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to project management tools and provide a method, system and computer program product for an activity-centric project management tool. In one embodiment of the invention, an activity-centric project management tool data processing system can be provided. The system can include an activity-centric project management tool, one or more ad-hoc communications tools externally coupled to the activity-centric project management tool, and ad hoc communications activity objectification logic coupled to both the activity-centric project management tool and the ad-hoc communications tools. The logic can include program code enabled to integrate external ad-hoc communications among task nodes of an activity hierarchy modeling a project plan.

Abstract: A method for team analytics context graph generation and augmentation may include extracting a set of relevant features from a received message and predicting a context graph corresponding to the received message being sparse based on the extracted relevant features. A context of the received message is indeterminable from the context graph in response to the context graph being sparse. The method may also include generating an augmented context graph in response to the context graph being predicted to be sparse. The context of the received message is determinable from the augmented context graph. The method may additionally include presenting the augmented context graph.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for logging external events in a human-to-human conversational space. In a preferred aspect of the invention, a persistent human-to-human conversational system can include a persistent human-to-human conversational tool such as a persistent chat tool, and an external event processor coupled to the persistent human-to-human conversational tool. The system further can include a query interface to the persistent human-to-human conversational tool. Finally, the system can include one or more collaborative tools communicatively linked to the persistent human-to-human conversational tool.

Abstract: A method for team analytics context graph generation and augmentation may include extracting a set of relevant features from a received message and predicting a context graph corresponding to the received message being sparse based on the extracted relevant features. A context of the received message is indeterminable from the context graph in response to the context graph being sparse. The method may also include generating an augmented context graph in response to the context graph being predicted to be sparse. The context of the received message is determinable from the augmented context graph. The method may additionally include presenting the augmented context graph.

Abstract: A method for team analytics context graph generation may include extracting, by a processor, a set of relevant features from a received message and evaluating the relevant features that represent a context of the received message. The method may also include retrieving, by the processor, artifacts from the received message that best represent the context of the received message based on the evaluation of the relevant features and generating a context graph based on the artifacts. The method may additionally include presenting, by the processor, the context graph.

Abstract: A publication-and-subscription mechanism for team rooms, referred to as team room “channels”, through which teams are able to selectively share resources from their team rooms with non-members, and that allows selective contributions, modifications, and discussions from non-members. The team room channels operate as bidirectional information pipelines to other team rooms. The team room channels may either be broadcast to all known teams, or be published selectively to one or more designated “target” teams. The receiving team rooms may then subscribe to specific published channels as appropriate. Information items from a team's team room, such as documents, tasks, representations of team members, and/or other resources, may be added to one or more of a team's published channels. Teams can associate specific permissions with each channel, including Read, Contribute, Modify, and/or Discuss. These permissions apply to all items associated with the channel.

Abstract: A method for tracking at least recent contacts and favorite contacts across multiple communications services may include collecting, by a processor, information associated with a plurality of contact interactions of a user from each of a set of different communications services utilized by the user. The method may also include storing, by a storage device, the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions. The method may additionally include analyzing the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions. The method may further include determining at least one of a list of most recent contacts and a list of favorite contacts from analyzing the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions.

Abstract: A method for tracking at least recent contacts and favorite contacts across multiple communications services may include collecting, by a processor, information associated with a plurality of contact interactions of a user from each of a set of different communications services utilized by the user. The method may also include storing, by a storage device, the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions. The method may additionally include analyzing the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions. The method may further include determining at least one of a list of most recent contacts and a list of favorite contacts from analyzing the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions.

Abstract: A method for rendering an e-mail item listing within a graphical user interface of an e-mail application on a display device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input from an input device to select a first item of the e-mail item listing, applying a first selection highlighting to the first item, wherein the applied first selection highlighting is visually distinguishable from a background color of the e-mail item listing, identifying a second item of the e-mail item listing based on a relation of the second item to the first item, and applying a second selection highlighting to the second item, wherein the applied second selection highlighting is visually distinguishable from the first selection highlighting and the background color.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for logging external events in a human-to-human conversational space. In a preferred aspect of the invention, a persistent human-to-human conversational system can include a persistent human-to-human conversational tool such as a persistent chat tool, and an external event processor coupled to the persistent human-to-human conversational tool. The system further can include a query interface to the persistent human-to-human conversational tool. Finally, the system can include one or more collaborative tools communicatively linked to the persistent human-to-human conversational tool.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for integrating dynamic application input and output in an instant messaging/chat system. In this regard, a method for integrating dynamically produced application input and output into instant messaging/chat content in an established instant messaging/chat session can include receiving application input from a remote instant messaging/chat client as a posting to an established instant messaging/chat session and forwarding the received application input to a designated external application. Finally, the application output from the external application can be posted as content in the established instant messaging/chat session. Additionally, the application input can be pre-processed before performing the forwarding step, and the application output can be post-processed before performing the posting step.

Abstract: A method for tracking at least recent contacts and favorite contacts across multiple communications services may include collecting, by a processor, information associated with a plurality of contact interactions of a user from each of a set of different communications services utilized by the user. The method may also include storing, by a storage device, the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions. The method may additionally include analyzing the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions. The method may further include determining at least one of a list of most recent contacts and a list of favorite contacts from analyzing the information associated with each of the plurality of contact interactions.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to assist a user in selecting, identifying, and handling email messages. A selection color module may provide for the display of color coding and selection highlighting. The selection color module may provide a secondary highlighting color to indicate messages related to a selected message. A category navigation module may provide one or more of the following: an indicator that provides the user with a number of items that are off the screen for a particular category, a command that causes the first entry for a category to be scrolled into view, a label to indicate the number of items in a particular category matching a particular criteria, and/or a control for scrolling between next or previous categories.

Abstract: A first message associated with a collaborative task is received from a user. The first message includes an identification of the collaborative task, a plurality of participants for the collaborative task, and a request from the user for each of the participants to provide content for the collaborative task. In response to receiving the first message, a processor generates a request message for each of the participants. Each of the request messages includes a notification of the collaborative task and the request from the user for that participant to provide the content for the collaborative task. The request messages are sent to the participants.

Abstract: Described is a method for tracking the status of a workflow. Each step of the workflow is performed by one or more members of the workflow and each member has at least one workflow role. A weblog is generated to track an instance of the workflow and members are assigned to the weblog. An entry is posted in the weblog to indicate the performance of a workflow action, such as the completion of a workflow step or the execution of a workflow exception. The entry can be made directly into the weblog or may be in response to an entry made in a personal weblog. A workflow feed can be provided to an aggregator to permit monitoring of the workflow along with other workflows and weblog entries. Additionally, the viewing of weblog entries can be restricted to a predetermined group of users.

Abstract: A method is provided to assist a user in selecting, identifying, and handling email messages. A display of color coding and selection highlighting may be provided. A secondary highlighting color may be provided to indicate messages related to a selected message. One or more of the following may also be provided: an indicator that provides the user with a number of items that are off the screen for a particular category, a command that causes the first entry for a category to be scrolled into view, a label to indicate the number of items in a particular category matching a particular criteria, and/or a control for scrolling between next or previous categories.

Abstract: Described is a method for controlling a user's access and viewing rights to a weblog used to track the status of a workflow based on one or more roles or responsibilities of the user in the workflow. Advantageously, the workflow is not required to change when workflow members leave their assigned roles or are unable to perform their workflow tasks. Instead, new members are assigned to the roles and access and viewing rights are changed accordingly. Optionally, a person responsible for a workflow instance can grant access and viewing rights for the particular workflow to an individual who is not a member of the workflow.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to assist a user in selecting, identifying, and handling email messages. A selection color module may provide for the display of color coding and selection highlighting. The selection color module may provide a secondary highlighting color to indicate messages related to a selected message. A category navigation module may provide one or more of the following: an indicator that provides the user with a number of items that are off the screen for a particular category, a command that causes the first entry for a category to be scrolled into view, a label to indicate the number of items in a particular category matching a particular criteria, and/or a control for scrolling between next or previous categories.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to assist a user in selecting, identifying, and handling email messages. A selection color module may provide for the display of color coding and selection highlighting. The selection color module may provide a secondary highlighting color to indicate messages related to a selected message. A category navigation module may provide one or more of the following: an indicator that provides the user with a number of items that are off the screen for a particular category, a command that causes the first entry for a category to be scrolled into view, a label to indicate the number of items in a particular category matching a particular criteria, and/or a control for scrolling between next or previous categories.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a method that maintains computerized scripts. The scripts provide assistance to users with respect to using at least one computer software application that is operating on a computerized device. The method receives, from the user, at least one trigger. This process creates or “authors” the trigger. This “trigger” is an item that automatically initiates at least one of the scripts for the user. In addition, the method adds the trigger to the computer software application (not automatically, but instead based on user input). Thus, when initiated by the trigger, the script automatically outputs assistance (text, sounds, illustrations, educational videos, etc.) to the user through the computerized interface of the computerized device, so as to provide the needed assistance to the user.