Abstract: A message center based desktop organizational and management system that includes a set of applications centered around and integrated with a message center. The applications cooperate to allow for creation, editing, manipulation, and maintenance of: (1) files and folders, (2) calendars, (3) to-do lists, (4) address books, (5) bookmarks, (6) data transfers, and others. In one method for processing data in a computer desktop, a message is received in the desktop and displayed when requested. A selection of data included in the displayed message is then received along with a command to process the selected data in a particular manner. The selected data is extracted and stored in a database. In response to certain types of command, a reminder message can be generated and sent. The selected data can relate to a calendar event, a to-do item, an address, a bookmark, a file, or others. The reminder message can be sent at one or more designated times, and to one or more designated recipients.