Abstract: Funnel storage systems are presented including: a cabinet enclosure having an upper opening; a lid removably coupled with the cabinet enclosure, the lid forming a dust seal with the cabinet enclosure; a top screened support coupled with the cabinet enclosure for receiving a number of funnels; and a bottom screened support coupled with the cabinet enclosure for storing and organizing the number of funnels along a number of upright storage posts. In some embodiments, the cabinet enclosure further includes angled side walls such that a second cabinet enclosure having angled side walls may be nested within the cabinet enclosure.

Abstract: Funnel storage systems are presented including: a cabinet enclosure having an upper opening; a lid removably coupled with the cabinet enclosure, the lid forming a dust seal with the cabinet enclosure; a top screened support coupled with the cabinet enclosure for receiving a number of funnels; and a bottom screened support coupled with the cabinet enclosure for storing and organizing the number of funnels along a number of upright storage posts. In some embodiments, the cabinet enclosure further includes angled side walls such that a second cabinet enclosure having angled side walls may be nested within the cabinet enclosure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing user lists are provided. A group of instant messaging addresses used most frequently by a user of an instant messaging client on the communications device is identified. The identified group of instant messaging addresses is displayed visibly within a display in the communications device.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program products for estimating, scheduling, and tracking preparatory work associated with electronic meeting invitations. When a meeting invitation is received and tentatively accepted, preparation time for associated work is estimated programmatically from characteristics of documents associated with the meeting invitation. A floating block of time is created, subject to the constraint that it must be completed before the meeting convenes, and added to the user's electronic calendar.

Abstract: Context-specific instant messaging is presented. A user views a page of data that is segmented into regions. The user performs a user action (e.g., a mouse click) and, in turn, a message generator displays context-specific phrases for the user to select based upon the region that the user action was performed and a corresponding object type. When a region corresponds to a meeting time, a context-specific phrase may also be time-sensitive. When a region corresponds to meeting participants, a context-specific phrase may include recipient identifiers. The user selects one of the context-specific phrases, and the message generator invokes a message session between the user and a recipient based upon the selected context-specific phrase. The message generator includes a link to the corresponding object such that the message recipient may easily identify the context of the message.

Abstract: A user interface template that implements a task pattern for a model class and a model adapter that provides an interface for the application that conforms to the model class are identified. A user interface for the application is created from the identified user interface template and the identified model adapter. The user interface template may include a generic view and a generic controller. The model adapter may provide a business object interface, and may be configured to communicate with the application via a J2EE Connector Architecture (JCA) connector. The user interface template may define an abstract portlet, and creating a user interface includes creating a portlet instance that communicates with the application via the model adapter. The portlet instance may be configured using an application portlet builder portlet. The portlet builder may also identify the user interface template and the model adapter.

Abstract: A system and method for context-specific instant messaging are presented. A user views a page of data that is segmented into regions. The user performs a user action and, in turn, a message generator displays context-specific phrases for the user to select based upon the region that the user action was performed and a corresponding object type. When a region corresponds to a meeting time, a context-specific phrase may also be time-sensitive. When a region corresponds to meeting participants, a context-specific phrase may include recipient identifiers. The user selects one of the context-specific phrases, and the message generator invokes a message session between the user and a recipient based upon the selected context-specific phrase. The message generator includes a link to the corresponding object such that the message recipient may easily identify the context of the message.

Abstract: Context-specific instant messaging is presented. A user views a page of data that is segmented into regions. The user performs a user action (e.g., a mouse click) and, in turn, a message generator displays context-specific phrases for the user to select based upon the region that the user action was performed and a corresponding object type. When a region corresponds to a meeting time, a context-specific phrase may also be time-sensitive. When a region corresponds to meeting participants, a context-specific phrase may include recipient identifiers. The user selects one of the context-specific phrases, and the message generator invokes a message session between the user and a recipient based upon the selected context-specific phrase. The message generator includes a link to the corresponding object such that the message recipient may easily identify the context of the message.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing user lists. A group of instant messaging addresses used most frequently by a user of an instant messaging client on the communications device is identified. The identified group of instant messaging addresses is displayed visibly within a display in the communications device.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program products for estimating, scheduling, and tracking preparatory work associated with electronic meeting invitations. When a meeting invitation is received and tentatively accepted, preparation time for associated work is estimated programmatically from characteristics of documents associated with the meeting invitation. A floating block of time is created, subject to the constraint that it must be completed before the meeting convenes, and added to the user's electronic calendar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for sharing highlighted passages and notations in an electronic book. A user can highlight passages and/or notes, which are tagged and automatically sent to a designated set of recipients. The designated recipients can enter search criteria so that the highlighted passages and/or notes are displayed in their electronic book based on the specified criteria.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for creating rules to process electronic messages. User input is detected moving an electronic message into a folder. In response to this user input, the characteristics of the electronic message are compared with other electronic messages in the folder to form a comparison. A rule for processing the electronic message is generated based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for modifying rules to process electronic messages. User input is detected moving an electronic message into a folder, wherein a rule is associated with the folder, or performing a specific action on a electronic message such as forwarding it. In response, determining whether the electronic message matches the rule associated with the folder or action. Characteristics of the electronic message are identified if a match between the rule and the electronic message is absent. The rule for the folder or action is modified using the characteristics to form a modified rule.

Abstract: Application software is visually programmed with a relational diagram that is structured in a left-to-right format. Parts/beans of a software application are placed onto the relational diagram to illustrate an inherent visual flow of the application's logic. The relational diagram is further structured by providing a three column workspace for display of the parts/beans of the software application. The three column workspace can be further structured with a center column for placement of a main part/bean. A left most column is also provided for placement of others of the parts/beans which provide input to the main part/bean in the center column. In addition, a right most column is provided for placement of other parts/beans which receive output from the main part/bean in the center column. The application logic can be modified when a user adds at least one of the parts/beans directly to any one of the three columns in the workspace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for researching highlighted passages and/or notations in an electronic book. A user can highlight passages and/or notations in an electronic book, which are stored in a search profile and automatically researched utilizing commercial search engines invoked with profile criteria. The results from the search engines are evaluated based on search criteria so that the most relevant Web sources and sites are identified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for sharing highlighted passages and notations in an electronic book. A user can highlight passages and/or notes, which are tagged and automatically sent to a designated set of recipients. The designated recipients can enter search criteria so that the highlighted passages and/or notes are displayed in their electronic book based on the specified criteria.

Abstract: A plurality of object oriented parts are automatically interconnected on a computer system. A user selects at least two of the parts for interconnection. Default actions and events are automatically selected for each object, and the connection therebetween is made.

Abstract: Motion paths are created as independent entities in a multimedia motion path editor. A motion path is drawn in a path editor layout window without associating the path with an object in the layout area. The path is then saved for subsequent assignment to any desired object in the layout area. The saved path may be manipulated as any other object. A plurality of the saved paths may be joined together, and/or combined into one extrapolated path.

Abstract: A movement path is defined for a multimedia object in an application development environment. A multimedia object is placed in a layout area of the application development environment. A movement path is then specified within the layout area for the object using a pointing device. The object may either be dragged along the movement path by the pointing device or individual points may be selected with the pointing device to define the movement path. Once the path has been defined, the path may be easily modified. The user may add or delete points by simply selecting a point with the pointing device for addition or deletion. In addition, the user may combine two or more movement paths into one.

Abstract: Segments of a motion path are assigned a time factor and the motion path a total time factor. The time factor for each segment may be a percentage of the total time factor or a number of clock ticks. Once the total time factor is assigned, the remain segment time factors can be dynamically created therefrom. If the segment time factors are created before assigning a value to the total time factor, the total time factor will be a sum of the segment time factors.