Abstract: The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\DISK\Information Windows NT registry key contains disk layout information, such as disk letter assignments. During repartitioning of a hard drive, this key needs to be modified to reflect the new partitions. In order to accomplish this, while in Win32 mode, the modified disk layout information is stored in a temporary registry key. Then, while in Windows NT boot mode, direct reads and writes are performed on the registry files (e.g., “system” and “system.alt”) that contain the “Information” registry key and the temporary registry key to replace the “Information” registry key with the temporary registry key.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting from a complex file system such as a Microsoft NTFS file system or a Linux ext2fs file system, to a simpler FAT file system. Features of the advanced file system are identified and handled. Depending on the circumstances, some features are carried over to the resulting FAT file system, while other features carry over only partially or not at all.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and techniques for manipulating virtual partitions in a virtual engine environment without necessarily committing each partition manipulation by actually modifying on-disk system structures. A virtual engine, virtual partitions, virtual drives, and other structures in the virtual engine environment permit users to experiment with different partition manipulations in a safe and efficient manner. A batch manager manages a resulting list of partition manipulation operations, which may be optimized. The batch list may also be executed automatically by a conventional partition manipulation engine without requiring additional user input at the end of each list entry. The present invention also provides the ability to manipulate extended partitions automatically and provides support for remote partition manipulation through a two-part user interface architecture.

Abstract: Methods, articles, signals, and systems are provided for providing email message originators and distributors with default control over message removal at a message recipient's location, regardless of whether the message has been opened. For instance, a self-removing message is designated as such by the message's originator, and a self-removal enhancement is added to conventional message content before the message is transmitted over a computer network toward one or more recipients. At the recipient's location, the message is automatically deleted without additional effort by the recipient, before or after being displayed, according to the originator's instructions unless they are overridden by the recipient. ISPs and other message distributors may identify messages that should be self-removing, and make them self-removing if they are not.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transmitting a user's data between two computer networks over physically separate telephone line connections which are allocated exclusively to the user. The user's data is placed in data packets, which are multiplexed onto the separate connections and sent concurrently to a demultiplexer. The data packets contain a computer network address such as an Internet protocol address. A dynamic address and sequence table allows the demultiplexer operation to restore the original order of the data after receiving the packets. The set of connections constitutes a virtual “fat pipe” connection through which the user's data is transmitted more rapidly. Additional users may be given their own dedicated “fat pipe” connections.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for combining previously incompatible network protocols without tunneling. In one system, an Internet Protocol (“IP”) stack is modified to include an IP-compatible datagram component IP′ which registers a transfer function with an Open Data Interface (“ODI”) component. A NetWare Core Protocol (“NCP”) stack is similarly modified to include an NCP-compatible component NCP′ which utilizes the registered transfer function. The modified protocol stacks provide IP-compatible connectivity for NCP services without continually converting packets between formats in the manner required by protocol tunneling systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for delegating security rights to Java servlets and other executable tasks by using secure operating system queues. In particular embodiments, the invention allows secure loading of Java servlets on a Novell NetWare server. The invention allows users to run servlets from various locations with the same rights, namely, the user's rights. The servlet submitted by a given user runs in the context of that user's rights. A system according to the invention verifies that the user has the right to submit the task to a given task queue; the queue is managed by the system, and the user is authenticated to the system. Queue servers which receive tasks from the queue and service them by executing the tasks are likewise authenticated by the system. When a queue server attempts to service a task in a queue, the system verifies that the queue server has rights to service that queue and that job.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for merging computer disk partitions to reduce the number of partitions. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on FDISK, the invention does not destroy user data on the disk during or after the two or more partitions are merged. Two or more adjoining partitions may be combined. During a merging operation, partitions may have their clusters aligned or resized. The merging partitions may also have their partition type changed. During the merge at least one copy of all system and user data of all partitions is kept on a disk at all times, reducing the risk of data loss.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for canonizing, defragmenting, and improving the storage efficiency of advanced file systems stored in one or more disk partitions. Partition and file manipulations are performed without destroying user data, making it unnecessary to copy data to tape or other intermediate storage and wipe the partition clean. Advanced file system features, such as relocatable file system structures and multiple data streams, are treated appropriately during the manipulations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention provides a system for associating files with relevant application programs in a network. The applications are available on a network, suitably as application objects. Each application object also includes file type information associated with the application. When a user logs onto the network, the file type information is retrieved from each accessible application object. The application launcher stores the retrieved information in the local memory of the user workstation. When a file is selected at the user workstation, the user workstation checks its local memory for the file type information corresponding to the selected file. Because the information is periodically updated by the application launcher, the current information is available to associate a particular file type extension with an application stored remotely. As a result, the appropriate application may be initiated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for database-style access to a directory services repository stored on a computer network. A directory services application programming interface is controlled by a driver. The driver translates relational database language statements, such as ODBC-compliant SQL statements, into an executable API sequence that produces an API result. The driver also translates the API result into a relational database result. The repository may be a Novell Directory Services repository or an X.500 directory services repository. The invention maps an effective class of the repository to a table identified in the relational database language statement. Each object that is an instance of the effective class is mapped to a row in the table, and each attribute maps to a column of the table. As a result, the invention allows database tools such as report generators to work with the information stored in the repository.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for caching information in a distributed computer system such as a directory service system. Tuples in a client cache contain component identifiers and corresponding location identifiers. Tuples may contain a list of network addresses specifying at least one server containing additional location or object information, as well as replica flags which distinguish between read-only replicas, read-write replicas, and a master replica. Requests to access an object may be serviced by using cached information rather than making one or more attempts to obtain location information from servers. Tuples may be modified or invalidated such that read operations tend to be performed using read-only replicas. Cached tuples which contain a component identifier that is no longer valid because an object was moved or renamed may be invalidated. The cache may also be modified to redirect operations from a master replica to a non-master replica.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for synchronizing transactions in a disconnectable network. Each transaction includes operations that were performed on a database replica on one computer while that computer was disconnected from another computer and hence from that other computer's replica. Transaction synchronization, which occurs after the computers are reconnected, transfers information from each computer to the other computer and applies updates to both replicas as appropriate. Transaction logs and clash handling tools may be used with the invention.

Abstract: A method and system support the definition, authentication, and enforcement of constraints on speech, appearance, movements, associations, and other properties that are used to suggest or exhibit the personality traits and behaviors of animated characters. The system includes a controlling object and one or more personality objects running in any of a wide range of software and hardware environments. Zero or more personality subobjects may be associated with each personality object. The methods provide steps for authenticating an object, controlling associations between objects and subobjects, controlling events involving one or more objects, controlling the proximity of personality objects to one another, controlling the distribution of objects, and mandating the use of auxiliary objects under specified circumstances.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing a rotated textured tile on a display device. An unrotated textured tile is identified. A supertile that contains repeated adjacent copies of at least part of the unrotated tile is produced. The supertile is rotated through an arbitrary angle. A period in X and a period in Y are selected. To select a period, a pixel-wide window is moved along the axis, and pixels in the window are measured against pixels in a reference location until a match of acceptable accuracy is found. If no match is found then one or more parameters are perturbed and the sliding-comparison process repeats.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for implementing partition manipulation tools. One embodiment of a partition manipulation computer system implements an architecture that supports multiple file systems on a computer. The computer system includes a data replicator for replicating data from a selected partition to a modified partition in a partitionable storage medium. The data replicator has an initialization interface for interfacing to initialization modules in a format that is substantially independent of each file system used on the computer system. The initialization modules, which may be specific to one or more file systems, generate sector identifications. A verification interface and a completion interface are also provided, for interfacing with file-system-specific verification and completion modules.

Abstract: A system and method separate the order in which event handlers register from the order in which the event handlers are notified of events. This allows any convenient registration order to be used together with a notification order that corresponds to a network architecture, a memory hierarchy, or another familiar scale. The notification order is determined by the event producers, and therefore may be reversed without re-registering the event handlers. Events may be broadcast, may carry data between event handlers, and may be consumed to prevent further notifications.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synchronizing local copies of a distributed database, such as a master copy and a partial copy stored in a replica or in a cache. Each data item in the database has an associated timestamp or other tag. An index into the tags in maintained. The tag index may be used to create an event list to reduce the time and bandwidth needed to synchronize the local copies. The tag index may also be used to create a virtual update log, thereby removing the need to maintain one or more physical logs recording the history of the copies.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing digital documents by using links to allow navigation between documents and to create associations based on bridges between various combinations of document elements and software. Each bridge includes at least one coupling. Each coupling includes a target token identifier and a supplementary token identifier which allow software users to navigate between target and supplementary documents or to invoke supplementary software routines. Linked elements, such as text or graphics tokens, can overlap partially or entirely. Embedded links are allowed, but are not required.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which make security, licensing, and browsing capabilities of directory services available for use with the Java language and environment, and thus provide an alternative to security restrictions imposed on Java applets. A Java component type is created in a directory services schema. The Java component type specifies where a Java class can be found in a LAN or on the Internet. The key attributes of the Java component type are its common name (specifying a Java class) and either a reference to the file containing the Java class's byte codes or a binary stream attribute containing the byte codes. The loadClass( ) method is extended to look for Java classes within a directory services database. The directory services features thus made available include support for securing, metering, and licensing individual Java classes.