Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing rich media for enhancing user interaction with a messaging program. The rich media includes user perceptible content and content specific information. User perceptible content may include a small animated picture with an embedded sound file that messaging program users can send to each other during a messaging session. Content specific information may include a description of the perceptible content, context menu items including universal resource identifiers that link to information related to the content and information related to other messaging program content. In addition computer code is provided to allow communication between the rich media and the messaging program so that the messaging program and the rich media can interoperate.

Abstract: Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing rich media for enhancing user interaction with a messaging program. The rich media includes user perceptible content and content specific information. User perceptible content may include a small animated picture with an embedded sound file that messaging program users can send to each other during a messaging session. Content specific information may include a description of the perceptible content, context menu items including universal resource identifiers that link to information related to the content and information related to other messaging program content. In addition computer code is provided to allow communication between the rich media and the messaging program so that the messaging program and the rich media can interoperate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing rich media for enhancing user interaction with a messaging program. The rich media includes user perceptible content and content specific information. User perceptible content may include a small animated picture with an embedded sound file that messaging program users can send to each other during a messaging session. Content specific information may include a description of the perceptible content, context menu items including universal resource identifiers that link to information related to the content and information related to other messaging program content. In addition computer code is provided to allow communication between the rich media and the messaging program so that the messaging program and the rich media can interoperate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing rich media for enhancing user interaction with a messaging program. The rich media includes user perceptible content and content specific information. User perceptible content may include a small animated picture with an embedded sound file that messaging program users can send to each other during a messaging session. Content specific information may include a description of the perceptible content, context menu items including universal resource identifiers that link to information related to the content and information related to other messaging program content. In addition computer code is provided to allow communication between the rich media and the messaging program so that the messaging program and the rich media can interoperate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing rich media for enhancing user interaction with a messaging program. The rich media includes user perceptible content and content specific information. User perceptible content may include a small animated picture with an embedded sound file that messaging program users can send to each other during a messaging session. Content specific information may include a description of the perceptible content, context menu items including universal resource identifiers that link to information related to the content and information related to other messaging program content. In addition computer code is provided to allow communication between the rich media and the messaging program so that the messaging program and the rich media can interoperate.

Abstract: Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.

Abstract: Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a guest user who is not a registered user of an instant messaging system to communicate by instant messaging with a registered user of the system. An indication that the guest user desires to communicate with the registered user by instant messaging is received. Browser-executable computer code comprising computer instructions for providing at least limited instant messaging functionality to the guest user at the guest user's client computer system, without requiring the guest user to download and install client side instant messaging application software and without requiring the guest user to register as a user of the instant messaging system, is sent to the guest user's client computer system. An instant messaging session between the guest user and the registered user is facilitated.

Abstract: A technique for sharing data is disclosed. The technique comprises performing a search in a first application to obtain a first search result, transferring search data associated with the search to a second application, and providing, in the second application, a second search result based on the search data.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling an application in an instant messaging environment are described. The instant messaging environment retrieves and executes an instant messaging application. An identifier is assigned to the instant messaging application, which is retrieved and executed in the instant messaging environment between two or more instant messaging clients. The instant messaging environment identifies a selected instant messaging application and generates a control message. The control message includes the identifier which is used to retrieve and execute the instant messaging application. The instant messaging environment also determines whether a supporting application is required, based on the instant messaging application identifier, to execute the instant messaging application.

Abstract: Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.

Abstract: A technique for providing a wish list is disclosed. The technique comprises displaying the wish list, modifying the wish list, and sending substantially in real-time information associated with the wish list.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling an application in an instant messaging environment are described. The instant messaging environment retrieves and executes an instant messaging application. An identifier is assigned to the instant messaging application, which is retrieved and executed in the instant messaging environment between two or more instant messaging clients. The instant messaging environment identifies a selected instant messaging application and generates a control message. The control message includes the identifier which is used to retrieve and execute the instant messaging application. The instant messaging environment also determines whether a supporting application is required, based on the instant messaging application identifier, to execute the instant messaging application.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a guest user who is not a registered user of an instant messaging system to communicate by instant messaging with a registered user of the system. An indication that the guest user desires to communicate with the registered user by instant messaging is received. Browser-executable computer code comprising computer instructions for providing at least limited instant messaging functionality to the guest user at the guest user's client computer system, without requiring the guest user to download and install client side instant messaging application software and without requiring the guest user to register as a user of the instant messaging system, is sent to the guest user's client computer system. An instant messaging session between the guest user and the registered user is facilitated.