Abstract: A method and system for providing feedback for docking a content pane in a host window is disclosed. The method and system include providing a docking map. The docking map includes a plurality of docking areas there within. The method and system also include positioning a thumbnail associated with a content pane over one of the plurality of docking areas. Finally, the method and system include providing a hotspot on the thumbnail. The hotspot indicates that the content pane can be dropped into the one docking area. The feedback enables a user to precisely dock a content pane. In addition, a user can predict the final configuration of the host window. In addition, the docking of the content pane can determine complex configurations within a host window including nested splitters and notebooks whose tabs are oriented in any direction.

Abstract: Functionality is implemented to determine that a first content presented by a first graphical user interface container is related to a second content presented by a second graphical user interface container. The first graphical user interface container and the second graphical user interface container are merged to generate a merged container that presents a merged content. The merged content comprises a first constituent content of the merged container that corresponds to the first content and a second constituent content of the merged container that corresponds to the second content. It is determined that a first action associated with the first constituent content can operate upon the second constituent content. The first action operates on the first constituent content when invoked. Computer program code that implements the first action is reconfigured to operate upon the first and the second constituent content of the merged container.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for displaying data used to analyze system performance are provided. The method, system, and computer program product provides for determining an alert was triggered in a system at a point in time, identifying an alert type associated with the alert that was triggered in the system at the point in time, and displaying data concerning the system based on the alert type identified, the data displayed comprising a subset of a plurality of types of data available concerning the system, the subset being selected based on the alert type identified.

Abstract: Functionality is implemented to determine that a first content presented by a first graphical user interface container is related to a second content presented by a second graphical user interface container. The first graphical user interface container and the second graphical user interface container are merged to generate a merged container that presents a merged content. The merged content comprises a first constituent content of the merged container that corresponds to the first content and a second constituent content of the merged container that corresponds to the second content. It is determined that a first action associated with the first constituent content can operate upon the second constituent content. The first action operates on the first constituent content when invoked. Computer program code that implements the first action is reconfigured to operate upon the first and the second constituent content of the merged container.

Abstract: Remote installation of an application program is provided via a configuration of the application program corresponding to a particular user of the local application. The configuration is defined and stored on a remote server. In response to a user request, a determination is made that the stored configuration corresponds to the requesting user, the user is authenticated, and data is downloaded from the remote server according to the stored configuration. This stored configuration is also encrypted and stored in a manifest file which is also downloaded. Responsive to the user authentication, the manifest file is decrypted, and the application program is constructed pursuant to the configuration decrypted from the manifest file.

Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product, system and method for maintaining and recycling software components is disclosed. A first set of usage data for one or more software components is recorded. At least one of the plurality of software components is automatically removed if the first set of usage data for the at least one software component meets usage criteria specified in an expiration policy. Access is then provided to the removed software component through a remote server. A second set of usage data is now recorded for the removed software component. The removed software component is automatically re-instated if the second set of usage data meets usage criteria specified in a re-instatement policy.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for prioritizing a choice. A priority box associated with a choice is provided. A priority value is received as input for the priority box, wherein the priority value both selects and ranks the associated choice. The priority value is displayed within the priority box.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for displaying data used to analyze system performance are provided. The method, system, and computer program product provides for determining an alert was triggered in a system at a point in time, identifying an alert type associated with the alert that was triggered in the system at the point in time, and displaying data concerning the system based on the alert type identified, the data displayed comprising a subset of a plurality of types of data available concerning the system, the subset being selected based on the alert type identified.

Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product, system and method for maintaining and recycling software components is disclosed. A first set of usage data for one or more software components is recorded. At least one of the plurity of software components is automatically removed if the first set of usage data for the at least one software component meets usage criteria specified in an expiration policy. Access is then provided to the removed software component through a remote server. A second set of usage data is now recorded for the removed software component. The removed software component is automatically re-instated if the second set of usage data meets usage criteria specified in a reinstatement policy.

Abstract: A method and system for providing feedback for docking a content pane in a host window is disclosed. The method and system include providing a docking map. The docking map includes a plurality of docking areas there within. The method and system also include positioning a thumbnail associated with a content pane over one of the plurality of docking areas. Finally, the method and system include providing a hotspot on the thumbnail. The hotspot indicates that the content pane can be dropped into the one docking area. The feedback enables a user to precisely dock a content pane. In addition, a user can predict the final configuration of the host window. In addition, the docking of the content pane can determine complex configurations within a host window including nested splitters and notebooks whose tabs are oriented in any direction.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for prioritizing a choice. A priority box associated with a choice is provided. A priority value is received as input for the priority box, wherein the priority value both selects and ranks the associated choice. The priority value is displayed within the priority box.

Abstract: A user authentication information management method receives a meta-password from a user. A repository (34) lists network addresses (36) and associated handles (38), each handle having an associated encoded password. An authentication response from the user is intercepted. A modified authentication response is generated by identifying a network address to which the response is directed (208), searching for the identified network address (210) in the repository (34), identifying a handle (212) corresponding to the address based on the searching (210), decoding the password associated with the handle using the meta-password as a decoding key (214), and substituting the decoded password for the meta-password in the authentication response (216). The method also generates pseudo-random passwords (124) consistent with password rules (128). The repository (34) can reside on a client device (14), a proxy server, a local area network, or a security server having an Internet protocol (IP) address.

Abstract: A configuration of an application program corresponding to a particular user of the local application is defined and stored on a remote server. In response to the user requesting the application program, a session is initiated between the local data processing system and the remote data processing system, and the user is authenticated. Responsive to the user authentication, data is downloaded from the remote server to the local data processing system according to the stored configuration. This stored configuration may be encrypted and stored in a manifest file which is decrypted to produce a decrypted configuration in response to the user authentication, and data may be downloaded from the remote data processing system to the local data processing system according to the decrypted configuration. The application program may be constructed pursuant to the configuration file or the decrypted configuration file.

Abstract: An installation of an application program is updated by use of a stored configuration of the application program corresponding to a particular user of the local application. In response to a user request, a determination is made that the stored configuration corresponds to the requesting user. The stored configuration is checked to determine if any items described in the stored configuration have been updated. If an item has been updated, then the updated item is retrieved, and the application program is built with the updated item. This stored configuration may also be encrypted and stored in a manifest file which may be decrypted to produce a decrypted configuration responsive to a user authentication. The decrypted configuration is checked to determine if any items described in the decrypted configuration have been updated. If an item has been updated, then the updated item is retrieved, and the application program is built with the updated item.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving the performance of an integrated Graphical User Interface (GUI) client that presents an integrated view of model information originating from distributed information sources. Performance is enhanced by mapping the integrated GUI display components to replicated model information stored locally on the integrated GUI client. Replicated model information is maintained using information updates pushed from remote information sources to the integrated GUI client based upon a set of demand information mapping rules created based on the client's demand request. The load placed on the network to support an integrated display is distributed over time, thereby reducing spikes in network traffic associated with conventional integrated GUI approaches.

Abstract: Infopop onset times (i.e., delay times) and infopop content are dynamically adapted based upon the past behavior and experience level of an individual user. On an individual-user basis, the number of times an infopop has been shown to a user is monitored as well as how long the infopop stayed visible for the user each time the infopop was presented on a graphical user interface (GUI). The information collected as the result of such monitoring is stored, thereby establishing a user behavior profile. This user behavior profile is periodically assessed and is used as the basis for calculating individual infopop onset times and determining the content to be presented in subsequent infopop displays based upon the usage pattern established for each individual infopop and the expertise of the user with respect to specific issues addressed by an individual infopop or group of infopops.

Abstract: A method and system for providing feedback for docking a content pane in a host window is disclosed. The method and system include providing a docking map. The docking map includes a plurality of docking areas therewithin. The method and system also include positioning a thumbnail associated with a content pane over one of the plurality of docking areas. Finally, the method and system include providing a hotspot on the thumbnail. The hotspot indicates that the content pane can be dropped into the one docking area. The feedback enables a user to precisely dock a content pane. In addition, a user can predict the final configuration of the host window. In addition, the docking of the content pane can determine complex configurations within a host window including nested splitters and notebooks whose tabs are oriented in any direction.

Abstract: A user authentication information management method receives a meta-password from a user. A repository (34) lists network addresses (36) and associated handles (38), each handle having an associated encoded password. An authentication response from the user is intercepted. A modified authentication response is generated by identifying a network address to which the response is directed (208), searching for the identified network address (210) in the repository (34), identifying a handle (212) corresponding to the address based on the searching (210), decoding the password associated with the handle using the meta-password as a decoding key (214), and substituting the decoded password for the meta-password in the authentication response (216). The method also generates pseudo-random passwords (124) consistent with password rules (128). The repository (34) can reside on a client device (14), a proxy server, a local area network, or a security server having an Internet protocol (IP) address.

Abstract: A system and method for aiding a user in scrolling through a multiple-page are disclosed. The system and method include providing visual and/or audio cues in a graphical user interface (GUI) environment including a window to alert a user that a portion of the document is not currently displayed in the window. The scrolling may also be made more customizable and convenient. In a first aspect, the GUI includes a scroll bar which appears briefly at the center of a window. This indicates to the user that the document contains more than one page and that the user may scroll to view content beyond what is currently displayed. In this aspect, the scroll bar may be dynamic and dockable. Thus, in this aspect a mechanism is provided to allow the user to dock the scroll bar in a desired location. In a second aspect, the system and method include providing voice cues indicating the total number of pages in the document or that the document contains multiple pages.