Abstract: A computer system having a video display runs an operating system that provides a desktop environment to a user and a file system. The desktop environment has associated systems settings that affect the desktop environment. In this method, a first set of values for at least a portion of the system settings are stored in a storage device in a computer network so that the first set of values is visible in the file system. A second set of values, for the same portion of the system settings for which values are stored in the first set of values, is also stored in the storage device such that the second set of values is visible in the file system. In response to a choice by the user between the first set of values and the second set of values, the system settings are updated to have the values specified by the chosen set of values.

Abstract: A method for creating a scalable graphic image for display by a pixel-oriented display device. A pixel-based design of the desired graphic image is created and thereafter separated into constituent parts. A geometric descriptor is created for each constituent part. These geometric descriptors are then hinted to ensure that the constituent parts represented by these descriptors can be overlaid or combined to form a display of the desired graphic image for various point sizes. The hinted geometric descriptors for the graphic image are stored in a font file that can be accepted by a rasterizer. In response to a request to display a graphic image, the rasterizer reads the corresponding hinted geometric descriptors from the font file and generates character bitmaps defining the pixels to be illuminated to display the constituent parts. This allows the scaling of the displayed graphic image at different sizes based upon the particular requirements of the user.