Abstract: A database search system that retrieves multimedia information in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio and animated data. That database is searched through multiple graphical and textual entry paths. Those entry paths include an idea search, a title finder search, a topic tree search, a picture explorer search, a history timeline search, a world atlas search, a researcher's assistant search, and a feature articles search.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a system that controls files executed on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch of an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. This data can include a hash value. The application server module can determine one or more categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database or requesting the category from an application database factory. The application database factory can receive applications from multiple application server modules. The application database factory determines whether the application was previously categorized by the application database factory and provides the category to the application server module. Once the application server module has the category, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module.

Abstract: A system and method for updating, monitoring, and controlling applications on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch or request to access a network by an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. The application server module can determine one or more policies or categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database. Once the application server module has the category or policy, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module. Upon receipt of the hash/policy table, the workstation management module applies the policy that is associated with the application to control network access by the application.

Abstract: A method and system for providing flexible access resources or services related to particular software applications are described. The system includes a database of Internet sites that have been categorized so that the system determines the category of information that a user is accessing on the Internet. The system is also programmed so users are only allowed to access sites a limited number of times. The system is further programmed to limit a user's access to the Internet based on the network's current bandwidth usage. Moreover, users can requested a postponed access, wherein the resource or service they are requesting is stored to a server, and available to the user at a later time. In addition, if a user chooses to access a resource or service that is within certain predefined categories, they are presented with the option of retrieving the resource or service, but notified that their access will be logged to a file.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a filtering system which controls access to a website/page between a local area network (LAN) and an Internet. The LAN includes an Internet gateway system coupled to a workstation and configured to receive a URL request. The system controls access to the website/page associated with the URL based on one or more categories that are associated with the URL. The Internet gateway system can determine the category that is associated with the URL by referencing a master database or requesting the category from a database factory. The database factory can receive URLs from multiple Internet gateway systems. The database factory determines whether the identifier was previously categorized by the database factory and provides the category to the Internet gateway system. Once the Internet gateway system has the category, it applies rules associated with the category and user to filter access to the requested website/page.

Abstract: A method and system for providing flexible access resources or services related to particular software applications are described. The system includes a database of Internet sites that have been categorized so that the system determines the category of information that a user is accessing on the Internet. The system is also programmed so users are only allowed to access sites a limited number of times. The system is further programmed to limit a user's access to the Internet based on the network's current bandwidth usage. Moreover, users can requested a postponed access, wherein the resource or service they are requesting is stored to a server, and available to the user at a later time. In addition, if a user chooses to access a resource or service that is within certain predefined categories, they are presented with the option of retrieving the resource or service, but notified that their access will be logged to a file.

Abstract: A database search system that retrieves multimedia information in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio and animated data. That database is searched through multiple graphical and textual entry paths. Those entry paths include an idea search, a title finder search, a topic tree search, a picture explorer search, a history timeline search, a world atlas search, a researcher's assistant search, and a feature articles search.

Abstract: A database search system that retrieves multimedia information in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio and animated data. That database is searched through multiple graphical and textual entry paths. Those entry paths include an idea search, a title finder search, a topic tree search, a picture explorer search, a history timeline search, a world atlas search, a researcher's assistant search, and a feature articles search.

Abstract: A database search system that retrieves multimedia information in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio and animated data. That database is searched through multiple graphical and textual entry paths. Those entry paths include an idea search, a title finder search, a topic tree search, a picture explorer search, a history timeline search, a world atlas search, a researcher's assistant search, and a feature articles search.