Abstract: A system and method is provided for locally storing on a local Point Of Presence (POP) an online service hosted on a remote host computer. The method includes providing a local point of presence for receiving a request to access an online service, and determining if the requested online service is locally stored on the local point of presence. The method also includes, in response to determining that the requested online service is not locally stored, downloading at the local point of presence the requested online service from a remote host computer hosting the requested online service and storing the downloaded online service on the local point of presence. The system includes a service caching system coupled to a POP and a POP cache. The POP receives a request to access an online service. The service caching system determines if the requested online service is locally stored in the POP cache.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods that facilitate the automatic organization and collection of electronic information accessed or communicated by a computer user are provided. One embodiment of the system automatically monitors the type and content of electronic files, such as web pages, emails, and other sources for content that are accessed, received, or transmitted by a user. The system then analyzes this information and determines keywords or categories of information included in each content source. The content sources are then classified and referenced in one or more databases for future rapid access.

Abstract: A method and system of dynamically constructing a network portal includes accessing a dynamic service provider database that includes a listing of service providers that have self-selected their inclusion into the dynamic service provider database. Next, keyword-service link are displayed on the network portal along with the service providers listed in the dynamic service provider database. Upon activation of a keyword-service link by the user, the network portal displays service providers from the dynamic service provider database that offer services matching the selected keyword on the network portal. Once a service provider is selected by the user, a direct connection between the user and the service provider is established to permit the services to be provided.

Abstract: The invention enables an application program to communicate a message over a network without having information regarding a protocol employed by the network. A network library program, running independently of the application program, stores communication protocol data and procedures for establishing message transport data structures to be used in communicating over the network. Initially, the application program passes an address string to the network library program. In response, the network library program determines a network protocol to be used by analyzing the received address string. The network library program then creates a “transport address” data structure which records both the protocol and the address string. The network library program further establishes a “transport” data structure for the specific message type to be dispatched, which data structure includes a dispatch command and a socket handle to be used during the transmission.

Abstract: A system and method of processing a print job of a user includes providing a print processing system registry having at least one of a storage capability of a print job storage provider, a processing capability of a print job processing provider, and a printing capability of a print job print provider registered therewith. A communication network links a print job service provider and at least one of the print job storage provider, the print job processing provider, and the print job print provider. The print job service provider receives the print job and distributes the print job to the at least one of the print job storage provider, the print job processing provider, and the print job print provider via the communication network.

Abstract: A method of configuring a peripheral device on a network without user intervention includes a server node receiving identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network and, if the peripheral device is a new device on the network or a driver for the peripheral device is not registered on the server node, the server node self-installing the driver for the peripheral device. As such, newly connected peripheral devices are automatically seen on a network and a driver for the peripheral device is automatically configured on a print server without any user intervention. Additionally, a communication port and queue for the device are also automatically created. Moreover, device configurations are dynamically and automatically updated on the print server for consistent, accurate network information.

Abstract: A system with resource server updating provides upgraded system operation by installing replacement files on the resource when needed and without manual intervention. The system in an exemplary embodiment includes client workstations, a file server, and several resource servers coupled to a network for data communication. Several printers, scanners, and other peripherals are coupled to each resource server. In response to a hypertext page provided by the file server to a workstation, a user initiates file version checking and file replacements on all resource servers on the network. Replacement files exist on the file server or are obtained from a remote file server, as needed.

Abstract: A network includes plural client processors, a file server and plural printers. Each client processor has memory that stores a printer driver procedure which enables the client processor to interface with at least one printer type. The file server includes memory for storing a most updated printer driver procedure for each printer type coupled to the file server. The file server is responsive to a print request from a client processor to assign a printer to the requesting client processor. The file server then in combination with the client processor determines if a printer driver procedure for the assigned printer in the client processor is identical to a most updated printer driver procedure stored in memory in the file server. If not, the file server enables alteration of the printer driver procedure in the client processor to bring it into coincidence with the most updated print driver procedure.