Abstract: A method, system and program are disclosed for capturing information technology (IT) process flow step information within an IT governance system. A baton token is coupled to a process-flow-triggering resource. The baton token collects actual, or realflow, process step information as the resource progresses through the process flow steps of a predetermined IT process. Conversion operations are performed to convert actual process step information collected by the baton token into a realflow process flow representation. Comparison operations are then performed between the realflow process flow representation and a desired process flow representation. Differences between the two process flows are reconciled to produce a reconciled process flow.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for: receiving a user input to activate a clip utility within an open application window; enabling a selection of a particular portion of the open widow using a selection functionality of the clip utility, wherein the particular portion is less than a total area of the application window; and on receipt of a request to clip the selected portion while the portion is still selected, dynamically clipping the particular portion from the remainder of the application window and displaying only the clipped, particular portion of the open window as an separate window clip.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for displaying multiple elements in a graphical editor, wherein the multiple elements overlap and share a common space in the graphical editor; invoking a visual affordance that opens a zoom window; and displaying the visual affordance and the zoom window in an area in the graphical editor where the multiple elements overlap, wherein the zoom window displays a visual representation that is modified to show overlapping multiple elements.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for previewing the user interaction steps of a wizard within a graphical user interface (GUI). User gestures are performed on the wizard's associated menu item or graphical icon to display a non-executable replica of the wizard in a variant visual style. The non-executable replica of the wizard is displayed in a variant visual style to signify that the wizard is in preview mode and that it cannot be executed as an active wizard. Predetermined GUI widgets (e.g., buttons, text boxes, checkmarks, etc.) are disabled and do not respond to user gestures. However, predetermined GUI navigational widgets (e.g., tabs, previous/next buttons, drop-down boxes) are enabled to allow the user to navigate from one wizard user interaction to another.

Abstract: A task roster. A task roster can include a visual list of component tasks, the component tasks collectively forming a high-level task; a specified sequence in which the component tasks are to be performed; and, one or more visual status indicators, each visual status indicator having a corresponding component task, each visual status indicator further indicating whether the corresponding component task has been performed in the specified sequence. The task roster also can include a component task initiator configured to launch a selected component task in the visual list of component tasks upon a user-selection of the selected component task.

Abstract: A task roster. A task roster can include a visual list of component tasks, the component tasks collectively forming a high-level task; a specified sequence in which the component tasks are to be performed; and, one or more visual status indicators, each visual status indicator having a corresponding component task, each visual status indicator further indicating whether the corresponding component task has been performed in the specified sequence. The task roster also can include a component task initiator configured to launch a selected component task in the visual list of component tasks upon a user-selection of the selected component task.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for displaying multiple elements in a graphical editor, wherein the multiple elements overlap and share a common space in the graphical editor; invoking a visual affordance that opens a zoom window; and displaying the visual affordance and the zoom window in an area in the graphical editor where the multiple elements overlap, wherein the zoom window displays a visual representation that is modified to show overlapping multiple elements

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for: receiving a user input to activate a clip utility within an open application window; enabling a selection of a particular portion of the open widow using a selection functionality of the clip utility, wherein the particular portion is less than a total area of the application window; and on receipt of a request to clip the selected portion while the portion is still selected, dynamically clipping the particular portion from the remainder of the application window and displaying only the clipped, particular portion of the open window as an separate window clip.

Abstract: A system and method for persistent selection of objects across multiple directories is presented. A user uses a computer system that includes a persistent selection manager to place objects (e.g., files) from multiple directories into a persistent selection state. For each selected object, the persistent selection manager creates a ghost object, which references the original object placed in a permanent selection state, and places the ghost object in a persistent folder. In addition, the persistent selection manager creates a visual overlay for the object that indicates that the object is in the persistent selection state. Once the user is finished placing objects in the persistent selection state, the user may invoke an action on the set of permanently selected objects. The persistent action instructs the persistent selection manager to perform the action on each object corresponding to the ghost objects that are located in the persistent folder.

Abstract: A system for setting data list parameters for displaying a data list in pages. An application program receives a first and second user input, wherein the first user input defines a number of items displayed within a page, and wherein the second user input defines a page size tolerance. In response to receiving the first and second user input, the application program sets the number of items displayed within the page and the page size tolerance. Then the application program displays the data list in a graphical user interface according to the set number of items displayed within the page and the set page size tolerance.

Abstract: A system for managing panes in a multi-pane window frame. A multi-pane window frame application program displays the multi-pane window frame in a graphical user interface. Subsequent to displaying the multi-pane window frame, the multi-pane window frame application program receives a user pane configuration input and identifies a sizing constraint setting, wherein the sizing constraint setting establishes adjacent pane interaction within the multi-pane window frame. After receiving the user pane configuration input and identifying the sizing constraint setting, the multi-pane window frame application program resizes a pane contained within the multi-pane window frame based on the user pane configuration input and the sizing constraint setting.

Abstract: Provided are methods for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the methods comprising the steps of: determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task; contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a next task step; and detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window. Also provided are systems and computer program products for implementing the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A user interface mechanism that introduces a novel concept referred to as a “non-overlapping workspace”. A system user can switch between the traditional overlapping workspace and the novel non-overlapping workspace, depending upon how they wish to move and manage objects in the workspace. In the non-overlapping mode, as the user moves a selected object to relocate it within the work area, as its border touches another object, the selected object pushes the other object (rather than cover it). In an alternative embodiment, when the system is in the non-overlapping mode, objects on the desktop have “sticky” borders, that is, as the border of a selected object comes into contact with the border of another object, the two objects are coupled to each other as though they were glued together, forming an “object unit”.

Abstract: A drop down checklist control. The drop down checklist control can include an activatable label and a drop down list visually coupled to the label. The drop down list can be collapsed from view until the activatable label has been activated. A checklist of mutually non-exclusive checklist entries can be disposed in the drop down list. Finally, a selectable submit control can be disposed in the drop down list, wherein the drop down list control can become collapsed from view upon selection of the submit control.

Abstract: A task roster. A task roster can include a visual list of component tasks, the component tasks collectively forming a high-level task; a specified sequence in which the component tasks are to be performed; and, one or more visual status indicators, each visual status indicator having a corresponding component task, each visual status indicator further indicating whether the corresponding component task has been performed in the specified sequence. The task roster also can include a component task initiator configured to launch a selected component task in the visual list of component tasks upon a user-selection of the selected component task.

Abstract: A technique, system, and computer program for integrating procedural user interfaces and object-oriented user interfaces. This integration enables the useful features and advantages of task wizards to be available to a user of an object-oriented user interface, and vice versa. The prompting approach of wizards is used during modification, as well as during creation, of objects and their components. A graphical canvas, depicting these components and their interrelationships, is built incrementally during the object creation process. This same graphical canvas is used during modification, enabling direct selection and manipulation of components to be changed. Efficient use is made of the display screen, enabling information to be viewable without a proliferation of windows, and presenting relevant information to the user at the time he needs it.

Abstract: Methods, data processing systems or program products which provide user interfaces including a window having a workspace and a first set of non-overlapping resizeable panes comprising a plurality of non-overlapping resizeable panes within the workspace. The non-overlapping resizeable panes occupy substantially the entirety of said workspace. Open or closing pane creates a second set of panes in the window. In the opening case, the second set of panes include the first set of panes and a new pane in non-overlapping relationship without requiring resizing of the new pane or the first set of panes by the user. In the closing case, the second set of panes include the remaining panes of the first set of panes which occupy substantially the entirety of the workspace in non-overlapping relationship without requiring resizing of the new pane or the first set of panes by the user.

Abstract: Methods, data processing systems or program products which provide a user interfaces capable of controlling the size of multiple workspaces with limited user input. The size of workspaces is controlled by connecting workspaces to create a single size control separator for borders of workspaces which are aligned with the border of adjacent workspaces. Simultaneously resizing of the connected workspaces is done utilizing the single size control separator for the connected workspace and is based upon translation of the size control separator. The border of a workspace may be snapped to the border of an adjacent workspace to connect the workspaces. Additionally, Size of a workspace may be controlled by connecting common corners of at least three adjacent workspaces to create a corner single size control separator for all at least three adjacent workspaces. The connected workspaces are resized utilizing the corner single size control separator based upon the translation of the corner single size control separator.