Abstract: Example systems, methods, and data structures are directed at synchronizing documents. One example data structure includes receiving a request from a first client to edit a document, and sending short-term check out metadata to the first client to begin an editing session. The data structure includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of data objects defining content of the document. Each data object is associated with one of the cells and has an object identifier that uniquely identifies the data object within the associated cell, and is configured to communicate with other cells and with objects within the associated cell. In addition, each of the cells is defined so that each other cell remains unaffected by changes to data objects of the cell.

Abstract: A server file replication technique is implemented with three local copies of a replicated file. First, a shadow file is a copy of the last known good version of the file on the server. Second, a local copy is the user's working copy. Whatever changes the user has made to the file are stored in the local copy. Third, a rollback file is a copy made of the local copy if the local copy changes (for example, when conflicts are resolved or the server version is copied to the local copy.) Different states exist, based on whether these copies contain differences from each other and from the server version, and based on the user's use of the document. These states guide what is done to maintain the local copies and whether conflict resolution is required.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for incorporating meta-data in document content. The disclosed systems and methods may include initiating an application program configured to generate a document. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include displaying, by the initiated application program, a property panel. The property panel may be configured to receive meta-data to be associated with the document generated by the application program. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include receiving the meta-data in the property panel and copying the meta-data from the property panel to the document content.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for routing users to receive online services based on online behavior are provided. These tools may receive representations of activity involving different users in interacting with online services, and may analyze these representations of user activity. The tools may also compute scores for the users based on this previous user activity. The scores may indicate a server system, out of several server systems, which the user is to be routed to obtain online services. The tools may also store the user's score as associated with the user.

Abstract: Mapping a server file to a corresponding locally stored copy of a server file and redirecting an application to a server file or to a corresponding local copy of the server file are provided for opening a most up-to-date and/or most reliable version of the desired file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and removing metadata and hidden information from a file. A system can include a review module to identify metadata and hidden information, and a scrubber module for removing the metadata and hidden information from the file. The scrubber module can remove the metadata and hidden information automatically or upon prompting the user. The file can be a file attached to an electronic mail. The file can also be a file uploaded to a server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products provide intelligent user interfaces based on a context or mode of a document. A method involves opening the document in a context that only facilitates reading, disabling editing commands associated with the document and/or disabling typing functionality for editing the document, and displaying a transition button via the intelligent user interface. The transition button is operative, when selected, to initiate transition of the document between the context that only facilitates reading and a context that facilitates editing. The method also involves receiving a selection of the transition button, in response to receiving the selection and transitioning from the context that only facilitates reading to the context that facilitates editing. Transitioning to the editing context includes enabling the editing commands and typing functionality.

Abstract: Example systems, methods, and data structures are directed at synchronizing documents. One example data structure includes receiving a request from a first client to edit a document, and sending short-term check out metadata to the first client to begin an editing session. The data structure includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of data objects defining content of the document. Each data object is associated with one of the cells and has an object identifier that uniquely identifies the data object within the associated cell, and is configured to communicate with other cells and with objects within the associated cell. In addition, each of the cells is defined so that each other cell remains unaffected by changes to data objects of the cell.

Abstract: Tools and techniques are described for web-based multiuser collaboration. These tools may provide methods that enable users to collaborate remotely on documents using respective browsers. These methods may send representations of portions of a given document to the browsers, and associate portions of the documents with particular users. The browsers may receive representations of commands as provided by the users, and may determine whether to execute the commands at the browser. The methods may also include receiving from the browsers revisions to the portions of the document, and storing these portions of the document in storage areas that are configured for storing content that has changed relatively recently.

Abstract: A method for managing a first and second version of an electronic file is disclosed. In the method, first and second versions of an electronic file are recognized and a synchronization event is initiated. An application program interface accesses the first and second versions, compares information associated with each, generates a result and reports the result to the first software application. A second software application generates a user interface in accordance with a feature of the second software application, where the electronic file is associated with the second software application, and the user interface is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: Mapping a server file to a corresponding locally stored copy of a server file and redirecting an application to a server file or to a corresponding local copy of the server file are provided for opening a most up-to-date and/or most reliable version of the desired file.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a translation mechanism in which property architectures associated with various objects are translated into a schema that maintains the semantics of the property architecture. In at least some of the embodiments, the property architectures are translated into hierarchical, standards-based schemas which enhance the environments in which associated objects can be consumed and processed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving a request to initiate an application program configured to generate a data file. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include displaying, by the initiated application program, a property panel in response to the request. The property panel may be configured to receive meta-data to be associated with the data file generated by the application program. Also, the property panel may be configured to provide the only place to receive the meta-data by the application program. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include receiving the meta-data in the property panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for incorporating meta-data in document content. The disclosed systems and methods may include initiating an application program configured to generate a document. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include displaying, by the initiated application program, a property panel. The property panel may be configured to receive meta-data to be associated with the document generated by the application program. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include receiving the meta-data in the property panel and copying the meta-data from the property panel to the document content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products provide intelligent user interfaces based on a context or mode of a document. A method involves opening the document in a context that only facilitates reading, disabling editing commands associated with the document and/or disabling typing functionality for editing the document, and displaying a transition button via the intelligent user interface. The transition button is operative, when selected, to initiate transition of the document between the context that only facilitates reading and a context that facilitates editing. The method also involves receiving a selection of the transition button, in response to receiving the selection and transitioning from the context that only facilitates reading to the context that facilitates editing. Transitioning to the editing context includes enabling the editing commands and typing functionality.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and removing metadata and hidden information from a file. A system can include a review module to identify metadata and hidden information, and a scrubber module for removing the metadata and hidden information from the file. The scrubber module can remove the metadata and hidden information automatically or upon prompting the user. The file can be a file attached to an electronic mail. The file can also be a file uploaded to a server.

Abstract: A server is implemented with a modified file open action, which, when a user performs the modified open, initially opens a file without locking the file. When a user indicates (either explicitly or implicitly) that the user is attempting to or intending to open the file, the file can then be locked for editing. In this way, the default action when a user requests a file is to open the file without denying other users access to the file. Then, when the user indicates that editing should occur, the lock for the file is obtained.

Abstract: A server is implemented with a modified file open action, which, when a user performs the modified open, initially opens a file without locking the file. When a user indicates (either explicitly or implicitly) that the user is attempting to or intending to open the file, the file can then be locked for editing. In this way, the default action when a user requests a file is to open the file without denying other users access to the file. Then, when the user indicates that editing should occur, the lock for the file is obtained.

Abstract: A method for managing a first and second version of an electronic file is disclosed. In the method, first and second versions of an electronic file are recognized and a synchronization event is initiated. An application program interface accesses the first and second versions, compares information associated with each, generates a result and reports the result to the first software application. A second software application generates a user interface in accordance with a feature of the second software application, where the electronic file is associated with the second software application, and the user interface is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: Server-based collaboration is initiated by an email. When the user creates the email message with attachments, a collaboration website is provisioned. The collaboration website allows collaborations on the attached documents by the recipients of the message. The ease of collaboration with email and the advantages of the collaboration server are thus both available to the user.