Abstract: Techniques to dynamically modify themes based on messaging. An apparatus may comprise a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory may store a theme manager component and a user interface component. The theme manager component, when executed by the processor, may be operative to receive a message from a message author and select a theme based on message content of the message. The user interface component, when executed by the processor, may be operative to dynamically display a user interface view with the selected theme. In this manner, a theme associated with a user may be dynamically and automatically modified based on personalized information about a user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques to dynamically modify themes based on messaging. An apparatus may comprise a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory may store a theme manager component and a user interface component. The theme manager component, when executed by the processor, may be operative to receive a message from a message author and select a theme based on message content of the message. The user interface component, when executed by the processor, may be operative to dynamically display a user interface view with the selected theme. In this manner, a theme associated with a user may be dynamically and automatically modified based on personalized information about a user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering and organizing items in a computer system based on common elements is provided. A graphical user interface includes a plurality of display objects, each display object representing one or more items and a metadata property control corresponding to a metadata property. Selection of the metadata property control causes a list of filter terms to be presented on the display and also may cause a list of check box controls to be presented on the display, each check box control being adjacent to a respective one of the filter terms. The list of filter terms may be presented in a drop down menu. Selection of a check box control causes each item that satisfies the corresponding filter term to be presented on the display. The filters may be dynamically generated based on the properties of the separate items.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering and organizing items in a computer system based on common elements is provided. A graphical user interface includes a plurality of display objects, each display object representing one or more items and a metadata property control corresponding to a metadata property. Selection of the metadata property control causes a list of filter terms to be presented on the display and also may cause a list of check box controls to be presented on the display, each check box control being adjacent to a respective one of the filter terms. The list of filter terms may be presented in a drop down menu. Selection of a check box control causes each item that satisfies the corresponding filter term to be presented on the display. The filters may be dynamically generated based on the properties of the separate items.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing, compiling, and displaying unpredictable digital content received from a plurality of sources, such as news information transmitted in RSS feeds. A layout may be selected from multiple display templates, each having slots for the segments of media that are received. Selection of the templates may be based on the properties of the segments. Further systems and methods are directed to displaying at least a portion of non-textual digital content, such as video and pictures, in a nested view designated for the non-textual graphical content. In one example, the portion of non-textual digital content presented in the nested view is determined by the properties of the non-textual digital content. In other instances, the quantity of the non-textual data may determine what portion is displayed in the nested view.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering and organizing items in a computer system based on common elements is provided. A graphical user interface includes a plurality of display objects, each display object representing one or more items and a metadata property control corresponding to a metadata property. Selection of the metadata property control causes a list of filter terms to be presented on the display and also may cause a list of check box controls to be presented on the display, each check box control being adjacent to a respective one of the filter terms. The list of filter terms may be presented in a drop down menu. Selection of a check box control causes each item that satisfies the corresponding filter term to be presented on the display. The filters may be dynamically generated based on the properties of the separate items.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically dynamically scrolling content in a dimension to enhance user navigation and display of a relevant node is disclosed. In one example, when a user scrolls vertically to a node in a folder tree control where the node/folder name is not visible, the folder tree view may be automatically dynamically scrolled horizontally such that the full name of the folder is viewable. The automatic dynamic scrolling alleviates the effort and stress related to requiring a user to manually scroll a view in two dimensions in a tree control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing, compiling, and displaying unpredictable digital content received from a plurality of sources, such as news information transmitted in RSS feeds. A layout may be selected from multiple display templates, each having slots for the segments of media that are received. Selection of the templates may be based on the properties of the segments. Further systems and methods are directed to displaying at least a portion of non-textual digital content, such as video and pictures, in a nested view designated for the non-textual graphical content. In one example, the portion of non-textual digital content presented in the nested view is determined by the properties of the non-textual digital content. In other instances, the quantity of the non-textual data may determine what portion is displayed in the nested view.

Abstract: Enhancement of electronic ink is achieved by automatically displaying a contrasting outline for the ink. The outline provides a visual transition between the ink and the underlying background. The outlining color may be chosen independent of the background color(s). Thus, a user may choose any ink color desired, without regard to the background, and the written ink will be legible over the background. Moreover, the user does not need to change ink color based on the background, but instead may maintain the same ink color over the entire background if the user so desires.

Abstract: Groups of photo thumbnails are presented to the user, and where a user selects one of the thumbnails, a transition is provided replacing the group of thumbnails with the photo represented by the selected thumbnail. The photo may be displayed without cropping or stretching. In addition, a zoom/enlargement animation of the selected thumbnail is provided, and also possibly of the remaining thumbnails in the group, which then transitions into the represented photo. In addition, after or during the zooming animation, a cross-fading may occur such that the thumbnails fade out and the represented photo fades in. These types of transitions and user inputs both while the user is manually browsing thumbnails and when the user is viewing an automated slideshow of the thumbnails.

Abstract: A random yet smart selection of layouts is provided when viewing a set of photos. A set of layouts may be chosen such that a reasonable sense of variety and uniqueness is provided when viewing the photos. For instance, photos may be randomly assigned to one of a plurality of groups, where each group may have its own layout type and its own number of photos. An iterative algorithm may be applied to determine which photos are assigned to which groups. In addition, smart cropping of photo thumbnails may be provided to fit frames provided in the various presented layouts. The amount and/or type of cropping provided may depend upon the aspect ratios of both the thumbnail and the frame in which the thumbnail is to be placed.

Abstract: A live preview of objects in a folder or other container, including sub-folders, is provided, without requiring the user to open the folder or other container. When a user is previewing a set of objects in a closed container, any containers represented in the view may themselves concurrently show to the user a live preview of their contents. This may be displayed concurrently to the user at any number of levels, as desired. Each hierarchical level or container may itself be assigned an individual view that may be different from or the same as other views of other containers. Views may be nested in other views to show the contents of any organizational construct. The contents previews may further be displayed in an intelligent manner that adjusts their layouts based on if they are the primary view of one many nested views.

Abstract: In an electronic file system environment, animations of file system items are provided in response to various user requests. For example, where the user requests to change the sort order of a set of displayed item representations, the system responds by animating the item representations to move to new destination positions as dictated by the new sort order. Or, where the user requests to resize a container representation, the system responds by animating the item representations shown in the container representation to move about the display to new destination positions as dictated by the new sizing of the container representation. Or, where the user requests to navigate into or out of a container, the system responds by animating item representations shown in the container representation (representing the container to be navigated into) to expand, contract, and/or move about the display to new destination positions and/or sizes.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for rendering images on a two-dimensional display, such as a computer, handheld device, or television screen, so that the images appear to be positioned in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. The images may be graphics files or standard files with an associated thumbnail image. For example, a graphics file in GIF format may be displayed. In another example, a snapshot of a video clip may be displayed. In yet another example, an thumbnail image corresponding to the first page of an associated Microsoft Word document may be displayed. After a user navigates to a computer directory containing graphics files, random images from that computer directory may be identified, received, transformed, and/or rendered. Numerous layouts of the images on the display are disclosed.

Abstract: Various aspects and attributes of a single-click list selection user interface are described herein. A user can toggle the list inclusion status of any item by single clicking on the item in a selection pane of the user interface. When the user single-clicks a storage container item, the selection pane navigates to and displays items in the selected storage container. In order to prevent inadvertent selections, the user interface may provide graphical feedback indicating the inclusion status of an item prior to the user single clicking that item, e.g., responsive to mouse hover over that item. The user interface may further include a list pane which displays all items presently included in the list, regardless of each item's original storage container.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically dynamically scrolling content in a dimension to enhance user navigation and display of a relevant node is disclosed. In one example, when a user scrolls vertically to a node in a folder tree control where the node/folder name is not visible, the folder tree view may be automatically dynamically scrolled horizontally such that the full name of the folder is viewable. The automatic dynamic scrolling alleviates the effort and stress related to requiring a user to manually scroll a view in two dimensions in a tree control.

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 displaying icons in accordance with user preferences. The method includes providing a user with a size selection mechanism for selecting an icon size from a range of sizes. The method additionally includes searching a set of stored resources related to the underlying file and generating the icon in the selected size based upon the stored resources. The method may additionally include selecting an icon type including one of an image icon, a detail icon and a generic icon based on at least one of the user's size selection and the represented file. Furthermore, the icon display system of the invention positions labels and overlays in the vicinity of the icon based upon the selected size of the icon.

Abstract: A system and related techniques accept user-inputted search terms, for example to perform a search for files or other data or objects. Corresponding matches to those terms may be presented to the user in a “word-wheel”-type breakout list generated on the fly for groupings of hits by attributes or other criteria, as the system searches through the file system at the current level or point in the file system hierarchy. According to embodiments, when the search logic fails to locate a hit on the inputted search term at the current level or point in the file system hierarchy, an extension of the search to different levels or points in the file system hierarchy may be automatically generated, and for instance presented to the user as a selectable search box. That box may for example be highlighted to the user for easy selection. When the user does select the selectable search box, the user's search, for instance for files of type or extension “.doc” or “.