Abstract: User interface for displaying and interacting with images corresponding to applications shared over a computer network in a data conference is described. The described interface provides a user with greater control over the use of a desktop by providing controls for moving and sizing images, including fake windows, corresponding to shared applications by displaying such windows in a frame. The frame is the entity that is manipulated by a user with familiar graphical symbols, or even custom designs, thus avoiding potential complexity in managing control over the images of the shared applications. This user interface facilitates frames that may optionally be semi-transparent or transparent in order to allow a user to keep track of icons and windows covered by the frame. Frames are also useful in reducing network traffic by providing a method for detecting the level of interest of a user in a shared application.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling a virtual meeting and automatically making the required connections near the time the virtual meeting is scheduled to take place between a meeting host's computer and at least one meeting participant's computer. The virtual meeting is scheduled by sending a meeting request from the meeting host's computer over a communication network to each meeting participant's computer. The meeting request is stored on the meeting host's computer and on each meeting participant's computer that accepts the meeting request. A personal information manager component on the meeting host's computer and on each meeting participant's computer activates a virtual meeting utility component near the time of the virtual meeting based on the time and date of the virtual meeting contained in the virtual meeting request.