Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for discovering printers and shares on a computer network. Each domain on the network is identified, and each computer in the domain is identified. In addition, each printer connected to the computer and each share on the computer is identified. Shortcuts to the identified printers and shares are created on at least one computer on the network. Moreover, drivers are preferably installed on the computer for each printer for which a shortcut was created. In the event that the total number of resources (i.e., shares and/or printers) exceeds a threshold, then the process terminates. Otherwise, the present invention continues until all printers and shares on the network are identified, and the appropriate shortcuts are created. Thus, the present invention provides methods and systems for discovering resources on a network.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing items. A sharer may choose to share individual items, such as documents, contacts, and e-mails. To begin the sharing process, a user selects the items that are to be shared. The user then selects the sharees who the items are to be shared with, and the permissions that are to be assigned to the sharees. When items are to be shared, they are left in place on the sharer's machine, while the system ensures that the permissions are set, and any security issues are handled so that the sharees are able to access the items. In addition, the details of the sharing transactions may be tracked and recorded for later review. The sharer may also have the system send a link to the sharee for directly accessing the shared items from the sharer's machine. The sharee may also be able to query the sharer's machine to see what the sharer has shared out with the sharee.

Abstract: A programming interface for a computer platform can include various functionality. In certain embodiments, the programming interface includes one or more of a first group of services related to re-usable user interface controls, a second group of services related to user interface dialogs and user interface wizards, a third group of services related to extending the user interface functionality, and a fourth group of services related to extending functionality of a desktop of the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for virtual folder sharing, including utilization of static and dynamic lists. Static and dynamic lists may be created as types of virtual folders. Virtual folders expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. A static list consists of a folder of items that are in a specific order, while a dynamic list gathers a set of items based on a scope and a set of criteria. When a list is shared, the actual list is left in place on the sharer's machine or server, while permission is granted to the sharee to remotely access the list and the referenced items. If the list is changed by adding or removing items, these items are also automatically re-permissioned to allow or disallow the sharee to have access to the items.

Abstract: A file system for displaying items of different types and from different physical locations. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a wide scope of items may be available. In other words, the system is able to represent items from multiple physical locations (e.g., different hard drives, different computers, different network locations, etc.) so that to a user all the items appear to be from one location. The file system utilizes virtual folders. The virtual folders expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, non-file items may be represented in the virtual folders. In other words, files that are stored in memory are located in a physical store. The virtual folders can be made to include items that are not currently represented in the physical store. Examples of non-file items are e-mails and contacts.

Abstract: A programming interface for a computer platform can include various functionality. In certain embodiments, the programming interface includes one or more of a first group of services related to re-usable user interface controls, a second group of services related to user interface dialogs and user interface wizards, a third group of services related to extending the user interface functionality, and a fourth group of services related to extending functionality of a desktop of the user interface.

Abstract: A method and data structure for creating and accessing folders stored in well known locations. The data structure and method utilizes a set of APIs to create and manage well known folders on a system and/or to locate specific well known folders. The invention provides interfaces to create, locate, extend, and enumerate well known folders. In addition, the invention allows a developer and/or user to customize properties of well known folders.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting content on media and devices and automatically launching applications to run the detected content. In one embodiment, the system searches the media or device for content and automatically launches the appropriate application without the user searching for the application. In another embodiment, the system provides the user with a filtered list of applications to run content found on the media or device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing graphical representations for selected properties. The system draws each item based on the type of property being shown. For example, for selected types of properties, the drawing may be delegated to a drawing handler component for that specific type of property. For example, if a music rating is being displayed, a special drawing handler component handles the drawing, which, in one example embodiment may be a number of graphical stars. The system is architected so that the drawing handlers are registered independently of the other system components, such that new types of drawing handlers can be added without requiring changes to the other system components. This allows for greater flexibility and simplifies updates to the drawing handlers.

Abstract: A file system shell is provided. One aspect of the shell provides virtual folders which expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. Users are able to work with the virtual folders through direct manipulation (e.g., clicking and dragging, copying, pasting, etc.). Filters are provided for narrowing down sets of items. Quick links are provided which can be clicked on to generate useful views of the sets of items. Libraries are provided which consist of large groups of usable types of items that can be associated together, along with functions and tools related to the items. A virtual address bar is provided which comprises a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a filter for selecting content. A shell browser is provided with which users can readily identify an item based on the metadata associated with that item.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for use in a computer system for organizing and displaying notification items associated with the system, applications or other components, within a notification area. The system monitors items that are placed in the notification, comparing the period of placement with a predetermined time threshold value, If the item has remained inactive for longer than the predetermined threshold period, the item is hidden from the notification area. Additionally, the system monitors the hidden items for changes in icon appearance and will unhide the item upon a change in appearance or specific selection by a user. New items and unhidden items are arranged in the order of the most recent addition to the notification area. The system also allows a user to customize the behavior associated with individual notification items.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for one computing device (the “provider”) to provide peripheral services to another device (the “host”). A user directly runs the host. The host accesses the provider as if the provider were a set of peripheral devices attached to the host. In this way, the host and provider become, in effect, one device with the combined capabilities of both devices. The provider switches between two modes: In standalone mode, the provider acts as an individual device; upon switching to auxiliary mode, the provider provides peripheral services to the host but can still run applications and present an input/output interface to its own user. When the peripheral device provided to the host is a display screen, the host can map the provided screen into the host's own video memory, thus hiding implementation details from applications that use the screens. One device can simultaneously act as provider and host.

Abstract: A method of communicating between a graphical component library and an appearance manager is provided that includes issuing a request, that includes component defining parameters, for rendering services by a graphical component library. The appearance manager receives the request for rendering services and assigns appearance characteristics to the graphical component based upon the provided parameters. A method of rendering graphical components on the display of a computer system is also provided that includes rendering the requested graphical component according to the appearance characteristics assigned by the appearance manager. A method is also provided for communicating between a graphical component library and an appearance manager that includes issuing a request that includes component defining parameters, for information about the defined component.

Abstract: A new way of providing pertinent information about an item (e.g., a text file, a picture file, a music file, video file, or any other similar file) is provided. The invention provides graphical information about the item along with user-selectable properties that are specific to that item. The invention further provides a way of sorting the items by the user-selectable properties and communicating the sort order to the user. The invention thereby provides the user with a way of quickly finding pertinent information about the item.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which static lists facilitate arbitrary grouping of items of data independent of their locations and in ways that are meaningful to the user. A static list is a set of items defined by a root item, a direction, and the entry relationships with that root item in that direction. The static list also defines the properties that each entry relationship in the list is required to have. Verbs are provided to manage a static list. A verb is an action that may be performed on the items in the static list, and includes, among others, move, copy, add, remove, and delete. A view is provided to specify characteristics for displaying data from a static list, including visibility, order, and formatting, among other characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for one computing device (the “provider”) to provide peripheral services to another device (the “host”). A user directly runs the host. The host accesses the provider as if the provider were a set of peripheral devices attached to the host. In this way, the host and provider become, in effect, one device with the combined capabilities of both devices. The provider switches between two modes: In standalone mode, the provider acts as an individual device; upon switching to auxiliary mode, the provider provides peripheral services to the host but can still run applications and present an input/output interface to its own user. When the peripheral device provided to the host is a display screen, the host can map the provided screen into the host's own video memory, thus hiding implementation details from applications that use the screens. One device can simultaneously act as provider and host.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use theming functions of a theme manager to render graphical components in a themed fashion. The theme manager uses a theme file that has theme properties for graphical components of all types. When an application is started a system is provided that determines whether the application supports theming. If the application supports theming a dynamic link controls library that supports theming is linked to the application. If the application does not support theming, the non-theming controls library is linked. If an application supports themes, application user controls and shell common controls are rendered with themes by using the functions of the theming controls library that interact with functions of the theme manager. Non-client window components are rendered using themes by intercepting render messages to windows and sending the messages to the theme manager.

Abstract: A method of communicating between a graphical component library and an appearance manager is provided that includes issuing a request, that includes component defining parameters, for rendering services by a graphical component library. The appearance manager receives the request for rendering services and assigns appearance characteristics to the graphical component based upon the provided parameters. A method of rendering graphical components on the display of a computer system is also provided that includes rendering the requested graphical component according to the appearance characteristics assigned by the appearance manager. A method is also provided for communicating between a graphical component library and an appearance manager that includes issuing a request, that includes component defining parameters, for information about the defined component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for one computing device (the “provider”) to provide peripheral services to another device (the “host”). A user directly runs the host. The host accesses the provider as if the provider were a set of peripheral devices attached to the host. In this way, the host and provider become, in effect, one device with the combined capabilities of both devices. The provider switches between two modes: In standalone mode, the provider acts as an individual device; upon switching to auxiliary mode, the provider provides peripheral services to the host but can still run applications and present an input/output interface to its own user. When the peripheral device provided to the host is a display screen, the host can map the provided screen into the host's own video memory, thus hiding implementation details from applications that use the screens. One device can simultaneously act as provider and host.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use theming functions of a theme manager to render graphical components in a themed fashion. The theme manager uses a theme file that has theme properties for graphical components of all types. When an application is started a system is provided that determines whether the application supports theming. If the application supports theming a dynamic link controls library that supports theming is linked to the application. If the application does not support theming, the non-theming controls library is linked. If an application supports themes, application user controls and shell common controls are rendered with themes by using the functions of the theming controls library that interact with functions of the theme manager. Non-client window components are rendered using themes by intercepting render messages to windows and sending the messages to the theme manager.