Abstract: A method and system are provided for remotely controlling the reporting of events occurring within a computer. A remote control file identifying the events and conditions under which the events should be reported is periodically retrieved at a client computer. When an event occurs within a client computer, the remote control file is searched for data indicating that the event should be recorded. If data is located within the remote control file indicating that the event should be reported, data describing the event is collected. The collected data then may be subsequently reported. The remote control file may also include data identifying the type of data to be collected and a date and time after which data for a particular event should not be collected or reported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for displaying help content corresponding to the occurrence of an event occurring within a computer. An alert help data file is periodically downloaded at a client computer. When a program alert occurs within a client computer, the alert help data file is searched to identify help content corresponding to the particular occurrence of the alert. An alert identifier may be uniquely assigned to each alert to assist in locating the corresponding help content. Moreover, an assert tag and a function result value may also be utilized to define and locate particular help content. Once located, the help content may be displayed to a user.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and computer-readable medium for generically reporting the occurrence of an event occurring within a computer system. When an event occurs, parameter values corresponding to one or more predefined parameters that describe the event are identified. The parameter values are then stored in a normalized database configured for storing event parameters corresponding to the occurrence of an unlimited number of event types.

Abstract: Queued mode event reporting is provided. When an event occurs within a computer, an event report is generated describing the event. If the event report cannot be immediately transmitted, it is stored in a queue for future transmission. The queue for storing the report is chosen based on whether a user should have access to the report and on whether a notification should be provided to the user when the event occurs or prior to sending the event report or at both times. A queue trigger program is also configured to execute when the computer goes online and when a user logs into the computer. The queue trigger program causes the queued reports to be sent, if possible, and causes the appropriate notifications to be shown.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and computer-readable medium for generically reporting the occurrence of an event occurring within a computer system. When an event occurs, parameter values corresponding to one or more predefined parameters that describe the event are identified. The parameter values are then stored in a normalized database configured for storing event parameters corresponding to the occurrence of an unlimited number of event types.