Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing a managing a middleware architecture is disclosed. As such, a plurality of specification levels can be managed concurrently within a same runtime. An application manager and a set of runtime execution stacks are established to form a middleware. The application manager is configured to establish an interface to the set of runtime execution stacks. The runtime execution stacks are configured to run independent of one another using representative specification technology runtimes. A request to start an application is received. The application includes an application manifest. A particular runtime execution stack of the set of runtime execution stacks on which to run the application is determined. The determination is made based on the application manifest and the representative specification technology runtimes. Using the particular application runtime execution stack, the application is started.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing a managing a middleware architecture is disclosed. As such, a plurality of specification levels can be managed concurrently within a same runtime. An application manager and a set of runtime execution stacks are established to form a middleware. The application manager is configured to establish an interface to the set of runtime execution stacks. The runtime execution stacks are configured to run independent of one another using representative specification technology runtimes. A request to start an application is received. The application includes an application manifest. A particular runtime execution stack of the set of runtime execution stacks on which to run the application is determined. The determination is made based on the application manifest and the representative specification technology runtimes. Using the particular application runtime execution stack, the application is started.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the dynamic creation or reconfiguration of a contact group listing based upon retrieved metadata. The method comprising identifying a contact that is to be added to a primary contact list, the primary contact list being configured to be accessed by at least one sub-list group, wherein sub-list groups are associated with predetermined metadata classification criteria. The method further comprises interrogating data sources in order to identify metadata that is associated with the contact, and retrieving from the data sources all metadata that has been associated with the contact. The retrieved metadata is subsequently utilized to dynamically generate or reconfigure sub-list groupings in accordance with the information that is retrieved from the metadata.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for configuration file sharing are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: creating, in a controller, a superset registry file that includes old registry data, new registry data, and kindred registry data, wherein the old registry data and the new registry data are incompatible, and wherein the kindred registry data is compatible with both the old registry data and the new registry data; and contemporaneously downloading the kindred registry data and software version-specific registry data, selected from the old registry data and the new registry data, to a requesting client.

Abstract: An instant messaging system for providing transparent participation of third parties in instant messaging, the system comprising: a first server and a second server configured to create a first chat session between a first chat party and a second chat party, communication in the first chat session being bidirectional between the first chat party and the second chat party, the first chat session being a sub-chat of a chat thread, the first server is further configured to create a second chat session between the first chat party and a third chat party, communication in the second chat session being bi-directional between the first chat party and the third chat party, the second chat session being another sub-chat of the chat thread, the third chat party enabled to passively participate in the first chat session while actively communicating with the first chat party, and the third chat party and second chat session being transparent to the second chat party.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the dynamic creation or reconfiguration of a contact group listing based upon retrieved metadata. The method comprising identifying a contact that is to be added to a primary contact list, the primary contact list being configured to be accessed by at least one sub-list group, wherein sub-list groups are associated with predetermined metadata classification criteria. The method further comprises interrogating data sources in order to identify metadata that is associated with the contact, and retrieving from the data sources all metadata that has been associated with the contact. The retrieved metadata is subsequently utilized to dynamically generate or reconfigure sub-list groupings in accordance with the information that is retrieved from the metadata.

Abstract: A method for providing transparent participation of third parties in messaging communication is provided. The method comprising: enabling the creation of a first chat session between a first chat party and a second chat party, communication in the first chat session being bidirectional between the first chat party and the second chat party, the first chat session being a sub-chat of a chat thread; enabling the creation of a second chat session between the first chat party and a third chat party, communication in the second chat session being bidirectional between the first chat party and the third chat party, the second chat session being another sub-chat of the chat thread; and enabling the third chat party to passively participate in the first chat session while actively communicating with the first chat party, the third chat party and the second chat session being transparent to the second chat party.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for configuration file sharing are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: creating, in a controller, a superset registry file that includes old registry data, new registry data, and kindred registry data, wherein the old registry data and the new registry data are incompatible, and wherein the kindred registry data is compatible with both the old registry data and the new registry data; and contemporaneously downloading the kindred registry data and software version-specific registry data, selected from the old registry data and the new registry data, to a requesting client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote administration of programmable workstations coupled to a host computer in a data processing system. Master user configuration files are established and stored in association with a host computer for selected programmable workstations, each including a desired or existing configuration for an associated programmable workstation. At least one user within the data processing system is designated as a system administrator and permitted to selectively alter particular master user configuration files. Thereafter, the altered master user configuration file is automatically copied to an associated programmable workstation, in response to an initiation of communication between the programmable workstation and the host computer, altering the configuration of that workstation.