Abstract: A method for creating a pseudo-world that includes identifying a first pseudo-world file system, wherein the first pseudo-world file system includes a plurality of folders and a plurality of attribute files in a file system hierarchy, wherein the file system hierarchy defines a plurality of parent child relationships between the plurality of folders and the plurality of attribute files, and processing each of the plurality of folders according to the file system hierarchy.

Abstract: A network collaboration system facilitates collaborations between network clients having access to a digital network. The system uses audio mixes to provide different levels of voice conferences between the meeting participants. In a main collaboration, those participating in the main collaboration receive an audio output that includes audio inputs from the other participants. A subset group of clients may also have a voice chat, in which their audio inputs are removed from the outputs delivered to the clients not participating in the voice chat. Meanwhile, the participants in the voice chat hear each other at full volume, but hear the collaborators who are not part of the voice chat at a reduced volume.

Abstract: A method for creating a pseudo-world that includes identifying a first pseudo-world file system, wherein the first pseudo-world file system includes a plurality of folders and a plurality of attribute files in a file system hierarchy, wherein the file system hierarchy defines a plurality of parent child relationships between the plurality of folders and the plurality of attribute files, and processing each of the plurality of folders according to the file system hierarchy.

Abstract: An audio management apparatus manages simultaneous streams of packet-switched audio data for a network conference tool, and allows the combining of conferences that are not co-located. The apparatus uses at least two audio bridges, each of which receives audio inputs from a plurality of local connection points, does mixing of the audio data for each local connection point and provides the audio outputs thereto. Also provided is a communications link between the two audio bridges, and each of the audio bridges creates an audio mix from its local connection points and outputs it over the communications link to the other audio bridge. Each bridge may treat the audio data from the other audio bridge as it does any other call. In this way, the combining of the two conferences is accomplished in a simple and straightforward manner.

Abstract: A system allows for a real world person to make and receive a real world phone call using virtual world tools. The system runs software for rendering a virtual environment in which users at workstations in the real world are represented by avatars in the virtual world. The virtual world software of the present system is interconnected via a network to a private and public telephone network to allow a connection between a virtual and real world phone system. The virtual world embodiment of the communication between the virtual world and real world includes a plurality of states by which a conversation is visually and audibly indicated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates identifying expansion cards installed in a computer system. The system operates by first examining a device tree for the computer system to identify nodes within the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards. Next, the system obtains a subset of parameters from the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards, and then performs a pattern match between the subset of parameters for each card and entries in an information file to identify each computer expansion card.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates identifying expansion cards installed in a computer system. The system operates by first examining a device tree for the computer system to identify nodes within the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards. Next, the system obtains a subset of parameters from the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards, and then performs a pattern match between the subset of parameters for each card and entries in an information file to identify each computer expansion card.