Abstract: A method for autonomic group decision making may include presenting a plurality of decision options and receiving at least one decision option selected by each decision maker. A decision result may be presented including an indication of the preference for each option. Each decision maker may be allowed to revise the previously selected option for convergence to a single decision option for the group. An impedance score is determined for each decision maker in response to a decision maker selecting a different decision option. The impedance score may be based on one or more actions by the decision maker regarding selecting the decision option. A level of the impedance score indicates either progress toward or away from convergence. The impedance score may be revised each time a revised option is selected. The single decision option may be presented in response to the decision makers converging on the single decision option.

Abstract: A method for autonomic group decision making may include presenting a plurality of decision options and receiving at least one decision option selected by each decision maker. A decision result may be presented including an indication of the preference for each option. Each decision maker may be allowed to revise the previously selected option for convergence to a single decision option for the group. An impedance score is determined for each decision maker in response to a decision maker selecting a different decision option. The impedance score may be based on one or more actions by the decision maker regarding selecting the decision option. A level of the impedance score indicates either progress toward or away from convergence. The impedance score may be revised each time a revised option is selected. The single decision option may be presented in response to the decision makers converging on the single decision option.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing scoping editing operations in a document using a document editing computer application. The method, program system, and computer product may include tagging each incidence of editing with the identity of the author responsible for the applicable incidence, the date, the date and time, document phase, author role, or any combination thereof. The method, program system, and computer product may further include presenting a mechanism for designating a scope of tagged content by author, date, date and time of day, document phase, author role, or a combination thereof, and locating a selection of at least some of the tagged content according to the designated scope of the tagged content.

Abstract: A method for autonomic group decision making may include presenting a plurality of decision options and receiving at least one decision option selected by each decision maker. A decision result may be presented including an indication of the preference for each option. Each decision maker may be allowed to revise the previously selected option for convergence to a single decision option for the group. An impedance score is determined for each decision maker in response to a decision maker selecting a different decision option. The impedance score may be based on one or more actions by the decision maker regarding selecting the decision option. A level of the impedance score indicates either progress toward or away from convergence. The impedance score may be revised each time a revised option is selected. The single decision option may be presented in response to the decision makers converging on the single decision option.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing scoping editing operations in a document using a document editing computer application. The method, program system, and computer product may include tagging each incidence of editing with the identity of the author responsible for the applicable incidence, the date, the date and time, document phase, author role, or any combination thereof. The method, program system, and computer product may further include presenting a mechanism for designating a scope of tagged content by author, date, date and time of day, document phase, author role, or a combination thereof, and locating a selection of at least some of the tagged content according to the designated scope of the tagged content.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program products for estimating, scheduling, and tracking preparatory work associated with electronic meeting invitations. When a meeting invitation is received and tentatively accepted, preparation time for associated work is estimated programmatically from characteristics of documents associated with the meeting invitation. A floating block of time is created, subject to the constraint that it must be completed before the meeting convenes, and added to the user's electronic calendar.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of customizing a user interface comprises receiving, by the computer, a user selection of a portion of content displayed by a user interface, and limiting, by the computer, future loading or updating of elements corresponding to the selected portion. Limiting future loading or updating of elements corresponding to the selected portion may comprise preventing future loading or updating of elements corresponding to the selected portion. Alternatively, limiting future loading or updating of elements corresponding to the selected portion may comprise reducing a frequency of future updating of elements corresponding to the selected portion.

Abstract: Context-specific instant messaging is presented. A user views a page of data that is segmented into regions. The user performs a user action (e.g., a mouse click) and, in turn, a message generator displays context-specific phrases for the user to select based upon the region that the user action was performed and a corresponding object type. When a region corresponds to a meeting time, a context-specific phrase may also be time-sensitive. When a region corresponds to meeting participants, a context-specific phrase may include recipient identifiers. The user selects one of the context-specific phrases, and the message generator invokes a message session between the user and a recipient based upon the selected context-specific phrase. The message generator includes a link to the corresponding object such that the message recipient may easily identify the context of the message.

Abstract: A system and method for context-specific instant messaging are presented. A user views a page of data that is segmented into regions. The user performs a user action and, in turn, a message generator displays context-specific phrases for the user to select based upon the region that the user action was performed and a corresponding object type. When a region corresponds to a meeting time, a context-specific phrase may also be time-sensitive. When a region corresponds to meeting participants, a context-specific phrase may include recipient identifiers. The user selects one of the context-specific phrases, and the message generator invokes a message session between the user and a recipient based upon the selected context-specific phrase. The message generator includes a link to the corresponding object such that the message recipient may easily identify the context of the message.

Abstract: Context-specific instant messaging is presented. A user views a page of data that is segmented into regions. The user performs a user action (e.g., a mouse click) and, in turn, a message generator displays context-specific phrases for the user to select based upon the region that the user action was performed and a corresponding object type. When a region corresponds to a meeting time, a context-specific phrase may also be time-sensitive. When a region corresponds to meeting participants, a context-specific phrase may include recipient identifiers. The user selects one of the context-specific phrases, and the message generator invokes a message session between the user and a recipient based upon the selected context-specific phrase. The message generator includes a link to the corresponding object such that the message recipient may easily identify the context of the message.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product are provided that receives an instant messaging request from a sender over a network, such as the Internet. The instant messaging request is directed to requesting an instant messaging session with a primary recipient. The system determines whether the primary recipient is available. If the primary recipient is available, the system sets up the instant messaging session with the primary recipient. On the other hand, if the primary recipient is unavailable, the system identifies a backup recipient. This is accomplished by retrieving stored backup recipient identifiers that correspond to one or more backup recipients associated with the primary recipient. At least one available backup recipient identifier from the one or more stored backup recipient identifiers is identified, and the instant messaging session is set up with the identified (available) backup recipient.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program products for estimating, scheduling, and tracking preparatory work associated with electronic meeting invitations. When a meeting invitation is received and tentatively accepted, preparation time for associated work is estimated programmatically from characteristics of documents associated with the meeting invitation. A floating block of time is created, subject to the constraint that it must be completed before the meeting convenes, and added to the user's electronic calendar.