Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of assessing the quality of a database mapping. Fields of a source file are mapped to fields of a target database using a database mapping. A sampled subset of the records in the source file are converted to records in the target database using the field mappings, wherein the quality of the records in the source file is presumed to be high. A data validator is selected from a plurality of different data validators, wherein the selection is made based at least in part on the purpose of the target database. A sampled subset of the converted records are tested with the selected data validator to determine the quality of the database mapping.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of assessing the quality of a database mapping. Fields of a source file are mapped to fields of a target database using a database mapping. A sampled subset of the records in the source file are converted to records in the target database using the field mappings, wherein the quality of the records in the source file is presumed to be high. A data validator is selected from a plurality of different data validators, wherein the selection is made based at least in part on the purpose of the target database. A sampled subset of the converted records are tested with the selected data validator to determine the quality of the database mapping.

Abstract: An electronically manipulative object that is usable in a plurality of different electronic documents comprises at least one electronically stored property that includes an associated rule that affects the object or the electronic document that the object is used in. The at least one electronically stored property and associated rule are elements of the object. The object and at least one of electronically stored property and associated rule exists outside of document that the object is used in. The rule associated with the at least one property is enforced in the plurality of different documents.

Abstract: A computerized stored library of a plurality of database mappings is provided. Each database mapping represents the manner in which fields of a source database maps to fields of a target database. When a source database needs to be mapped to a target database, one or more of the database mappings are selected from the library and used to perform a mapping. Data transformations may be performed on one or more of the fields of the source database during the mapping.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for preparing a document for editing. The document includes a first graphical object and at least one variable field or property in a second graphical object that is associated with a property of the first graphical object. The first graphical object has a plurality of properties. A user interface display screen is provided that allows a user to design a document that includes a plurality of graphical objects. Then, a document is created on the user interface display screen. A first graphical object and a second graphical object are added to the document. At least one variable field or property in the second graphical object is identified. The identified field or property in the second graphical object is associated with a property of the first graphical object. In this manner, a document is prepared for editing.

Abstract: Messages are automatically sent on behalf of dead persons to live recipients. An administration computer receives and stores message information from a plurality of live customers. The message information for each customer includes identity data of the customer, identity data of one or more recipients who are to receive one or more messages from the customer after the customer dies, message data to be sent to the one or more recipients, wherein the message data is the one or more messages, and message sending instructions including timing information regarding when to send the one or more messages after the customer dies. A life/death customer status file is maintained in the administration computer regarding the plurality of customers who previously stored message information in the administration computer. The life/death customer status file is periodically updated by comparing its entries to a current decedent file.

Abstract: An object that is usable in a plurality of different environments comprises at least one property having an associated rule that affects the object. The object and at least one of its properties and associated rules exist outside of an environment that the object is used in. The rule associated with the at least one property is enforced in the plurality of different environments.

Abstract: An electronically manipulative object that is usable in a plurality of different electronic document environments comprises at least one electronically stored property that includes an associated rule that affects the object or the electronic document environment that the object is used in. The at least one electronically stored property and associated rule are elements of the object. The object and at least one of electronically stored property and associated rule exists outside of an environment that the object is used in. The rule associated with the at least one property is enforced in the plurality of different environments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for preparing a document for editing. The document includes a first graphical object and at least one variable field or property in a second graphical object that is associated with a property of the first graphical object. The first graphical object has a plurality of properties. A user interface display screen is provided that allows a user to design a document that includes a plurality of graphical objects. Then, a document is created on the user interface display screen. A first graphical object and a second graphical object are added to the document. At least one variable field or property in the second graphical object is identified. The identified field or property in the second graphical object is associated with a property of the first graphical object. In this manner, a document is prepared for editing.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for preparing a document for editing. The document includes a first graphical object and at least one variable field or property in a second graphical object that is associated with a property of the first graphical object. The first graphical object has a plurality of properties. A user interface display screen is provided that allows a user to design a document that includes a plurality of graphical objects. Then, a document is created on the user interface display screen. A first graphical object and a second graphical object are added to the document. At least one variable field or property in the second graphical object is identified. The identified field or property in the second graphical object is associated with a property of the first graphical object. In this manner, a document is prepared for editing.

Abstract: Production data is prepared for a print job wherein the production data includes an electronic document defined by a page description language (PDL). The electronic document is stored in a PDL image file. First, a still image proxy of the PDL image file is created, Next, one or more graphical objects are inserted into an image display of the still image proxy and properties of the inserted graphical objects are recorded. The recorded properties of the inserted graphical objects are then used to revise or rebuild the PDL image file so as to match the PDL image file to the inserted graphical objects.

Abstract: A computerized stored library of a plurality of database mappings is provided. Each database mapping represents the manner in which fields of a source database maps to fields of a target database. When a source database needs to be mapped to a target database, one or more of the database mappings are selected from the library and used to perform a mapping. Data transformations may be performed on one or more of the fields of the source database during the mapping.