Abstract: A method includes initiating an installation of software on a device or a removal of software from the device. The installation or removal of the software involves a plurality of installers capable of installing software components on or removing the software components from the device. The method also includes presenting a status panel associated with the installation or removal of the software to a user. The status panel identifies a plurality of operations associated with the installation or removal of the software and a status of each of the operations. The plurality of operations is associated with at least two different installers. The status panel includes at least one indicator that repeatedly changes to indicate that the installation or removal of the software is progressing.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying a plurality of selections made by a user. The method also includes updating a help index value based on one or more of the selections. The method further includes detecting a request for help from the user. In addition, the method includes retrieving help information using the help index value and presenting the retrieved help information to the user. At least one of the selections by the user may include a selection of an option from a plurality of options, where each of the options is associated with a different incremental value. Updating the help index value may include adding the incremental value associated with the selected option to the help index value.

Abstract: A method includes initiating an installation of software on a device or a removal of software from the device. The installation or removal of the software involves a plurality of installers capable of installing software components on or removing the software components from the device. The method also includes presenting a status panel associated with the installation or removal of the software to a user. The status panel identifies a plurality of operations associated with the installation or removal of the software and a status of each of the operations. The plurality of operations is associated with at least two different installers. The status panel includes at least one indicator that repeatedly changes to indicate that the installation or removal of the software is progressing.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying a plurality of selections made by a user. The method also includes updating a help index value based on one or more of the selections. The method further includes detecting a request for help from the user. In addition, the method includes retrieving help information using the help index value and presenting the retrieved help information to the user. At least one of the selections by the user may include a selection of an option from a plurality of options, where each of the options is associated with a different incremental value. Updating the help index value may include adding the incremental value associated with the selected option to the help index value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a computer network with fault-tolerant nodes, comprising determining the state of a first and second link between fault-tolerant nodes and other network nodes. Data sent by the fault-tolerant node to other nodes may then be sent over a link that is selected based on the state of the first and second links. In some embodiments of the invention this takes place in an intermediate node in a network, which receives data from an originating node and forwards it to a destination node via a link selected based on the state of the first and second links.