Abstract: A security system for computer repositories. Users of the repositories are assigned key codes. The repositories contain resources, such as programs and data, which are also assigned key codes. The key code of a resource contains fields, which contain information, in encoded form, which specify characteristics of users which are necessary to gain access to the resource, and conditions under which access is to be allowed. For example, a given key code may specify that only users having (i) a surname beginning with “W”, and (ii) a “classified” security clearance will be granted access and, further, (iii) that access will be granted only on odd-numbered Wednesdays. When a user seeks access to a resource, a security process inquires whether the user's key code indicates that the user meets the conditions specified by the resource's key code.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a security database for HTML documents in a World Wide Web application is provided. In particular, the database enables required security levels to be assigned to each HTML document individually. The database checks if the user has the required security level to access a particular HTML document. If the user has the required security level, then the HTML document is transmitted from the Web server to the user without any apparent (to the user) difference from the normal fashion. Thus, multiple HTML documents in a single server may have varying required security levels.

Abstract: Improvement for an Electronic Performance Support System, EPSS. A simplified prior-art EPSS can be viewed as a computerized system which divides a process, such as designing, building, and marketing an automobile, into individual stages. At each stage, the EPSS makes various tools available to users and, in general, the tools available at one stage are different than those available at other stages. Under one form of the invention, tools for the EPSS are stored at remote locations, and retrieved through a public-access computer network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: A predictive, adaptive interface for a computer, wherein a user's interaction with the computer is monitored, and future interactions are predicted, based on previous interactions. The invention adapts the interface to the user's preferences, using the predictions. For example, if a particular user repeatedly selects one option from a given menu, the invention detects this repeated selection, and adapts to the user's selection by eliminating other options from the menu.