Abstract: A method for sharing control of a shared application with a client user. The method comprising transmitting a mouse capture indication to a client system if a host system detects a mouse capture event for the shared application, and transmitting a mouse release capture indication to the client system if the host system detects a mouse release event for the shared application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying active window selection and shared command execution in a computer system generates a menu corresponding to a first application of a plurality of applications which can be executed concurrently in the computer system. The menu identifies a subset of the plurality of applications whose corresponding windows can be made currently active. Additionally, one or more of the subset of applications is installed but is not executing at the computer system. A selection identifying one of the subset of applications is then received, and a window corresponding to the identified one of the subset of applications is made the currently active window. In one embodiment, the menu also includes a set of shared commands which can be executed in the computer system. These shared commands perform the same function for each application of the subset of applications. In this embodiment, upon selection of one of the shared commands from the menu, the selected command is executed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for task based application sharing in a graphic user interface such as for Windows.RTM. are provided. A host user designates an application to be shared, referred to as a shared application. Another user at a remote location, referred to as the client user, shares control of the shared application. The shared application runs and executes only on the host system. The client system has a rectangular area on the display screen within which all shared applications are displayed. The client system renders an image of all windows of a shared application including pop-up dialogs and Menus without also displaying unshared applications. Further, both the client and the host users continue to perform normal operations outside of the shared rectangular area, and the host user defines the tasks which are to be shared.