Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent advice to a user. An architecture is described wherein trigger points are placed in an application program, and an advice engine invoked by the application when a trigger point is reached. The advice engine obtains information such as a user's application data, and uses the data to test it against a number of conditions for that trigger point. For each condition met, the advice engine retrieves an advice template for providing advice corresponding to the condition, and based on information in the template versus display state information, decides whether to queue the advice for subsequent display to the user. A display process displays the queued advice according to a priority setting maintained in the template.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a snapshot with a differential file maintained on the base volume that can grow as needed. When a snapshot is captured, free space is allocated on the base volume to receive the differential file. Writes to the base volume are allowed except to the free space allocated to the differential file. Then the snapshot is captured. After the snapshot process is complete, data that was originally present at the time the snapshot was captured may be copied to the differential file before it is modified. To grow the differential file out of its allocated space, new free space is selected from the free space currently on the base volume in conjunction with the free space at the time the snapshot was captured. The free space bitmap file of the snapshot volume may be used to identify the free space at the time the snapshot was captured.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing various types of cluster data among various storage devices of a server cluster. Cluster core boot data that is needed to get the cluster up and running is stored on a quorum storage mechanism, separate from cluster configuration data which is stored on lower cost and/or higher performance storage. The quorum storage may be implemented via a quorum of nodes, a single quorum disk or a quorum of replica members. The state of the cluster configuration data, as well as the state of other cluster data, may be stored on the quorum storage, thereby assuring the integrity of the data while providing increased reliability through the use of mirror sets of storage elements or the like for storing that data. Significant flexibility in how a cluster may be configured is achieved, along with improved cluster performance and scalability.

Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a facility for performing self-patching of computer code in memory. The facility patches a segment of executable code at runtime under the control of the code segment. The code segment has a selected entry point, a patching section, and a patched section. The patching section is provided to patch the patched section in order to change the contents of the patched section. When the code segment is executed a first time at the selected entry point, execution jumps from the beginning of the patched section to a point beyond the patched section to execute the patching section. When the patching section is executed, the patching section patches the patched section. Finally, when the code segment is executed at the selected entry point after the patching section has patched the patch section, the patched section is executed rather than the patching section.

Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.

Abstract: A method and architecture that enables performance monitoring in a centralized information source model. A refresher is provided into which a client process such as a management application may add information objects obtained from a common information model object manager (the CIMOM 64). If the client a returned object to the refresher, this signals the CIMOM 64 that the client process wants performance monitoring. If the CIMOM 64 determines that the information comes from a high performance provider, the CIMOM 64 loads the high-performance provider into the client process space. A refresh call updates the objects via the high performance providers without needing to again contact the CIMOM 64, resulting in a highly efficient mechanism for providing information on a regular basis. Multiple providers may be in a single refresher, multiple refreshers may be used, and refreshers may be loaded within other refreshers, providing additional flexibility and ease of use to a client process.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for automatically installing software implementations such as applications and COM classes as they are needed from an external source. When a software implementation is needed, the mechanism first looks to the local system (e.g., registry) for that software implementation, and if found, returns the information such as a local path needed to use the software implementation. If the implementation is not found, the mechanism looks to another source, such as a CD-ROM or a centralized class store of a network, to locate the needed implementation. When located, the implementation is downloaded and locally installed from the source, and a local path is returned in a manner that is essentially transparent to the user. Software implementations such as application products may be divided into features and components to improve on-demand installation thereof.