Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates deploying components on a client. During operation, the system establishes a communication session through a network connection between the client and a server. Next, the system migrates components from the server to the client, wherein the components provide services and are able to use services provided by other components. Finally, the client installs the components on the client, thereby allowing the components to provide services on the client. Note that by supporting deployment of components on the client in this way, the system facilitates a unified component architecture across the client and the server.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates creating a User Interface (UI) for a computing device. The system starts by receiving a specification of graphical objects to be used as part of the UI. The system then scans the specification to locate graphical elements that have been previously tagged in a design tool. If a tagged graphical element is located, the system determines the bounds of the tagged graphical element, wherein the bounds define a display area for the tagged graphical element. The system also receives a selection of code to associate with the tagged graphical element. This allows the system to associate the selection of code with the display area for the tagged graphical element.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates deploying components on a client. During operation, the system establishes a communication session through a network connection between the client and a server. Next, the system migrates components from the server to the client, wherein the components provide services and are able to use services provided by other components. Finally, the client installs the components on the client, thereby allowing the components to provide services on the client. Note that by supporting deployment of components on the client in this way, the system facilitates a unified component architecture across the client and the server.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that supports browsing through content on a display. This display presents a graph containing nodes representing content or other objects that are coupled together by links. A “focus node” is located in a prominent position in the display, and other nodes are located in other positions. During operation, a user inputs a selection command that selects a link from the focus node that points to a selected node. In response to this selection command, the system changes the display so that the selected node becomes the focus node. This involves moving the selected node to the prominent position in the display, and rearranging the other nodes to appear in other positions.

Abstract: A memory extension mechanism for a computer printer or other computer output device. The mechanism allows the computer printer to function with less than the maximum amount of real memory normally required by the computer printer in processing a print job. When the computer printer runs low on the amount of memory available, a portion of real memory of the printer containing infrequently used data is copied through a network to a computer's file system storage. The portion of the real memory containing the infrequently used data is then cleared and made available for other uses by the computer printer. When the piece of memory that was previously copied through the network is subsequently needed, it is copied through the network back into the computer printer's real memory.