Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for processing a print job. A call is received from an application to print the print job to a selected printer, wherein the print job includes a request to use a hardware service. A print preview of the print job prior to printing the print job is provided. Responsive to receiving an indication that the print job is to be printed after providing the print preview, the print job is sent to a device driver for the selected printer to print the print job. A determination is made as to whether the selected printer supports the hardware service. Responsive to a determination that the hardware service is unsupported by the selected printer, the hardware service is provided using a software simulation.

Abstract: A system and method for using write-and-destroy transaction cards which cannot be reprogrammed. The write-and-destroy transaction cards are programmed (i.e., written to) at bit increments representing, in total, the stated value of the card. The stated value may be represented in one or a plurality of denominations and currencies. In use, the remaining value of a card can be ascertained at a merchant location by reading those bits which have not been erased. The remaining value can additionally be confirmed by contacting the issuing financial institution using a unique serial number which may be encoded onto each transaction card. Upon confirmation that the card has sufficient value to conduct the desired transaction, the card is decremented by erasure of the bits representing that value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a data stream that contains video data in which the video data includes frames. As frames are being processed, a number of frames processed is identified along with a number of frames dropped during processing. A synchronization speed is identified using the number of frames processed and the number of frames dropped. A frame is selectively dropped from the data stream based on the synchronization speed.

Abstract: A global sign-on mechanism (GSO) is implemented. The mechanism provides a GSO system and method for a networked data processing system within an open architecture framework. The system and method are constructed on a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) framework by defining a set of data structures, the GSO LDAP schema. GSO functionality is effected using protocol operations on the LDAP object and attribute instances as defined in accordance with the GSO schema.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are provided for using URLs to access files located on the Internet in a similar manner used to access local files.

Abstract: A system for the accessing and addition of computing components outside of and consequently non-native to a current computer operation through a user interactive interface which involves predetermining a plurality of computing components to be selectively added to the computer operation, and designating and displaying a plurality of system elements. Means are provided for predetermining at least one invocative attribute for each of said elements and for enabling said selective addition of an associated computing component to said operation responsive to the occurrence of an invocative attribute. A listing of the computing components enabled for the selective addition is displayable for each of the displayed elements, together with means for selecting at least one of the listed enabled computing components to thereby add its associated computing component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a process in a data processing system for executing a method having a plurality of paths. The data processing system executes native machine code. A path is identified within the method that is being executed, wherein a plurality of bytecodes are associated with the path. Bytecodes are compiled for the path being executed, wherein the bytecodes are compiled into native machine code, wherein bytecodes for unexecuted paths remain uncompiled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a user guide for an application in which application features are customizable through user input. Application features are identified from a profile for currently available application features. A set of documents is located providing user guide information for the currently available application features. A document is generated containing links to the set of documents. Further, the document may include graphical representations of icons or menu entries associated with application features through the user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a central dictionary and glossary server. An application executing on a client is able to access a local copy of a dictionary or glossary. A master dictionary or glossary is updated at a server, and the update to the master dictionary or glossary is served to the application on the client to update the local copy of the dictionary or glossary. A datastream may also be processed by automatically scanning a datastream and automatically detecting, in the datastream, a word that cannot be matched to a word in a dictionary or glossary. The unmatched word is identified as an acronym, and in response, data associated with the acronym, selected from a hierarchical set of glossaries, is inserted into the datastream in close proximity to the acronym.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product is provided for the determination of a single delivery status of a message sent to multiple recipients which also allows the message to be transmitted or transferred through multiple message protocols, such as Extended Simple Message Transfer Protocol (ESMTP), Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), and Vendor Independent Messaging (VIM). A sender generates an original message that is intended to be sent to multiple recipients. When a delivery status notification is received from a recipient, the delivery status notification contains a protocol-specific delivery status code. The protocol-specific status codes of multiple messaging protocols are mapped to a protocol-neutral set of status codes that can be commonly applied to any given messaging protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for certificating and authenticating an identity of a customer of a financial institution using digital certificates is provided. The customer and the financial institution communicate via a communications medium. The financial institution receives a digital registration request from the customer and verifies the identity of the customer by reconciling identification data in the digital registration request with identification data in a customer data structure at the financial institution. Responsive to verifying the identity of the customer, the financial institution generates a digital certificate and sends the digital certificate to the customer. When the customer desires access to an on-line application at the financial institution, the customer sends the previously issued digital certificate to the financial institution via the communications link.

Abstract: A laptop computer and a docking station are disclosed. The laptop computer includes a microprocessor and a first video card in electrical communication with the microprocessor. The docking station includes a projector and a second video card in electrical communication with the projector. Upon a mounting of the laptop on the docking station, an electrical communication is established between the microprocessor and the second video card, and an electrical communication is established between the projector and the first video card. The microprocessor selectively provides control signals to either the first video card or the second video card. The first video card provides video signals to the projector in response to the control signals, and the second video card provides the video signals to the projector in response to the control signals. The projector provides video images in response to the video signals as received from either the first video card or the second video card.

Abstract: For a given set of programs and their related DLLs the following tool and method finds the minimum set of DLLs for which to apply demand loading and quantifies a lower bound on the expected performance improvement that comes from applying demand loading to the identified set of DLLs. Additionally, the tool and method identifies the set of DLLs in which demand loading cannot be applied because of data exports, but which might benefit from demand loading.

Abstract: An administrative management system comprising an administrative server and a client is disclosed. In response to a selection of an administrative procedure to be executed on the client, the administrative server determines if an execution of the administrative procedure on the client is in compliance with one or more corresponding policies. If the execution is in compliance with the corresponding policy or policies, the administrative server determines the storage location of the administrative procedure. If the selected administrative procedure is stored on the client, the administrative server executes the administrative procedure on the client. If the selected administrative procedure is stored on the administrative server, the administrative server pushes a corresponding script of the administrative procedure from the administrative server to the client and then installs and executes the script on the client.

Abstract: A system and method for providing at least one hidden markup attribute to convey additional information to target recipients. At least one hidden markup attribute is included in a communication from a server. When a browser at a client/user location receives the communication with the at least one hidden markup attribute, the browser will be able to decode the hidden markup attribute portion of the markup only if it has a correct render key. The render key may be predefined and exchanged between the server and the client. Alternatively, the render key may be communicated to the client with the hidden markup attribute communication. The latter scenario is useful when a server must dynamically calculate the render key based upon the client's capabilities (e.g., discovered during the establishment of communication between the entities). A server may alternatively have a generic default render key for all users.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining an identity of a browser in an Java environment in which an intermediary program masks the browser's identity. The method begins by querying an operating system process table for information identifying the browser. Thereafter, a Java properties table including the information from the process table is set. In response to a request from a calling program (e.g., an applet class) for the browser identity, a getProperty method is then called to retrieve the browser identity from the properties table. The browser identity is then returned to the calling program.

Abstract: A method for selecting options for a virtual machine in a data processing system. The browser provides an interface in which the interface allows for selection of options for use by the virtual machine. A selection of an option is received for use by the virtual machine. The selection of the option is stored, wherein the selection of the option is used by the browser when initializing the virtual machine.

Abstract: A method of managing a set of clients in a distributed computer network having a management server. A given client preferably includes a dataless management framework. According to the method, a proxy object is associated to each application instance on a given client. The proxy object preferably includes a data set including information representing a context of the application instance. The application instance is then managed through the proxy object directly.

Abstract: A method and system for browsing a distributed database. Storage is allocated in a computer for a file, wherein the file is used for storing references to data in the distributed database for retrieval at a later time. A reference to data in the distributed database is added to the file in response to a user input from a user using the computer to browse the distributed database. The data is retrieved from the distributed database using references to the data stored within the file in response to a selected event.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for presenting a menu and a plurality of items associated with the menu. Displayed items are presented within the menu. The displayed items are part of the plurality of items associated with the menu. A graphical indicator is displayed in association with the menu. Items are displayed within the menu to show undisplayed items within the plurality of items in response to a selected user input to a pointing device.