Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for reporting incidents occurring during operation of a distributed computing environment including a multitude of hardware and software resources. The method comprises the steps of whenever a defined incident occurs, generating a respective one incident report; and keeping with each incident report, selected information relating to the incident. Preferably, this information that is kept with the incident report identifies (i) selected resources associated with the defined incident, and status of said selected resources at the time of the defined incident, (ii) dependencies among said selected resources at the time of the defined incident, and (iii) service level agreements and operating level agreements impacted by the defined incident.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for dynamically changing the predefined execution sequence of steps or tasks in a computerized process while it is being performed by permitting one or more task(s) to be specified as necessary when other task(s) have been completed. Specifically, a product, method and system is provided for using a “workflow engine” software program acting in combination with a “decision-making layer” program interface between the workflow engine and the process model to determine the normal or (“default”) next step in the process and all other possible process steps that can be permissibly completed after execution of the current step or task.

Abstract: A method for utilizing business process specification language to enable collaboration between roles by executing tasks in an order defined by the business process specification language process flow, while minimizing the need for a user to utilize a process execution engine to claim the tasks. The method includes determining a set of users involved in the business process specification language process flow; determining the tasks that constitute the business process specification language process flow; determining the roles involved in the business process specification language process flow; determining which individual users perform which roles; and recognizing when the individual user is performing consecutive tasks that are assigned to different roles; and wherein based on the recognition the requirement for the individual user to utilize a process execution engine to claim the consecutive tasks is eliminated.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for dynamically identifying one or more components or resources contributing to a service degradation is provided. The method includes providing a dynamic correlation logic tool having logic that is configured to dynamically build a model for an application experiencing a service degradation at a given point-in-time. Further, the method includes obtaining from a configuration management database configuration data for resources utilized by the application experiencing the service degradation at that point-in-time and dynamically building the model using the configuration data obtained and status data obtained from monitoring sources that monitor the resources. Further, the method includes evaluating and analyzing the model, using the logic provided, and identifying one or more resources utilized by the application contributing to the service degradation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improved handling of alternative content selection. Using these techniques, content designers specify alternative content views that are designed for use under different conditions, and a particular alternative view is programmatically selected (according to applicable conditions) when preparing content for delivery to a target. Preferably, the alternative views are provided on a component-level basis, where the selected component view or version then forms part of a larger view (such as a Web page). Optionally, more than one component may be designed to vary simultaneously. In this case, the components may vary independently of one another.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for efficiently updating rendered content (such as content of a Web page) using a “slow-loading” content element, such as a slow-loading image. A reference is embedded within the markup language notation for the content to be rendered, where this reference identifies the source of the slow-loading content element. Delivery of the slow-loading content therefore begins automatically, when the content is rendered. Event handling attributes are specified with the reference, where values of these attributes identify client-side logic to be invoked when the associated event occurs. If the server determines that the rendered content, or some portion thereof, should be asynchronously updated, it abruptly terminates delivery of the slow-loading content. This termination triggers an event handler, which operates to automatically request reloading of the content.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for displaying a selection based action bar to a user that the user is able to use to perform actions using selected data. A user selects one or more displayed selections using a selection device. After the user selections have been made, the system determines which actions can be used with the selected data. Graphical components that correspond to the allowed actions are placed in an action bar and the action bar is displayed proximate to at least one of the user's selections. The action bar is not removed and remains visible as a result of the user scrolling display or performing unrelated actions. Providing a persistent action bar in location proximate to the user's selection helps the user maintain focus on the selected data. In addition, the selection based action bar can be used as a visual placeholder are marking mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for efficiently and selectively reloading frames of a multiframe Web page or a multiframe window. Multiple frames may be reloaded as a result of the server sending its response to a single client request message. Server-side logic maintains an awareness of which frames need to be reloaded, regardless of whether that need results from something synchronous with the client's request for a frame or asynchronous to that request. Then, when the client requests data for a single frame, in addition to sending content for the requested frame, the server also sends data to cause reloading of the other frames that need to be reloaded (and only those frames). Preferably, the data to cause reloading of the other frames comprises indicators (such as scripting code) that will force the client to request reloading of each of these other frames. Multiple reload requests may be collapsed into a single response. The disclosed techniques apply also to frames to be initially loaded.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a menu, upon a user's initial request, initially having only a first set of menu items and displaying a second set of menu items upon a user's subsequent request. After receiving the user's initial menu request, the first set of menu items is determined and displayed. The first set of menu items includes menu items that correspond to actions on the local computer, menu items that are frequently selected by the user, etc. If a request for additional menu items is received from the user, a second set of menu items is determined and displayed. The second set of menu items includes menu items that correspond to actions on one or more remote computers such as a server, menu items that are infrequently selected by the user, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering non-invasive data collection is presented. A server segments a web page into regions and sends the segmented web page along with a data collector program to a client. The client loads the web page whereupon the data collector program detects a user event corresponding to one of the regions. The data collector program uses one or more collection threshold settings to filter user event data corresponding to the user event. The server receives collected user event data and sends an acknowledgement message to the client whereby indicating that the server received the user event data intact. The server may also adjust one or more collection threshold settings and include the adjusted collection threshold settings in the acknowledgement message.

Abstract: A system and method for non-invasive collection of data is presented. A server segments a web page into regions and sends the segmented web page along with a data collector program to a client in response to receiving a client request. The client displays the web page and loads the data collector program which initiates particular event handlers to monitor user event activity corresponding to the displayed web page. When the user performs a user event, such as moving his mouse into a particular web page region, the data collector program collects user event data and associates the user event data with the particular web page region. When the user event is complete, the data collector program sends the collected user event data to the server.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for displaying a selection based action bar to a user that the user is able to use to perform actions using selected data. A user selects one or more displayed selections using a selection device. After the user selections have been made, the system determines which actions can be used with the selected data. Graphical components that correspond to the allowed actions are placed in an action bar and the action bar is displayed proximate to at least one of the user's selections. The action bar is not removed and remains visible as a result of the user scrolling display or performing unrelated actions. Providing a persistent action bar in location proximate to the user's selection helps the user maintain focus on the selected data. In addition, the selection based action bar can be used as a visual placeholder are marking mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for efficiently updating rendered content (such as content of a Web page) using a “slow-loading” content element, such as a slow-loading image. A reference is embedded within the markup language notation for the content to be rendered, where this reference identifies the source of the slow-loading content element. Delivery of the slow-loading content therefore begins automatically, when the content is rendered. Event handling attributes are specified with the reference, where values of these attributes identify client-side logic to be invoked when the associated event occurs. If the server determines that the rendered content, or some portion thereof, should be asynchronously updated, it abruptly terminates delivery of the slow-loading content. This termination triggers an event handler, which operates to automatically request reloading of the content.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for efficiently and selectively reloading frames of a multiframe Web page or a multiframe window. Multiple frames may be reloaded as a result of the server sending its response to a single client request message. Server-side logic maintains an awareness of which frames need to be reloaded, regardless of whether that need results from something synchronous with the client's request for a frame or asynchronous to that request. Then, when the client requests data for a single frame, in addition to sending content for the requested frame, the server also sends data to cause reloading of the other frames that need to be reloaded (and only those frames). Preferably, the data to cause reloading of the other frames comprises indicators (such as scripting code) that will force the client to request reloading of each of each of these other frame. Multiple reload requests may be collapsed into a single response. The disclosed techniques apply also to frames to be initially loaded.

Abstract: A system and method that provides platform independent retrieval of software component data is provided. The discovered system and method manage conflicts, co-requisites, and pre-requisites associated with installing a software component by including such information in a software description which is retrieved in a platform-neutral manner. The system and method can be initiated by the target computer system or it can be driven by a application server that connects to the target computer system through a computer network. In a target initiated environment, the target computer system resolves conflict and co-/pre-requisite issues identified in the component description before installing the component software. In a server-initiated process, the server resolves the identified conflict and co-/pre-requisite issues on behalf of the target system and installs the software component on the target system.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provide which control events associated with an element of a user interface by determining a characteristic(s) of pointer movement of a pointing device and adjusting a condition(s) for triggering an event associated with the element based on the determined characteristic of pointer movement. The triggering of the event is controlled utilizing the adjusted condition. By determining characteristics of pointer movement, a user's intent may be inferred from that pointer movement and, based on the inferred intent, the conditions for triggering of events may be adjusted consistent with such inferred intent.