Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes monitoring, by a processor-based monitoring device, work metrics, indicative of work performance, of a plurality of users. The method further includes soliciting input, by a user input solicitation device, from any of the plurality of users who have success regarding at least one work task, regarding activities which led to the success and suggestions on how other users can benefit from the input. The method also includes providing, by an input dissemination device, the input to a particular user identified from among the plurality of users as needing improvement in performing the at least one work task. The success is determined by evaluating the work metrics with respect to at least one threshold.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes monitoring, by a processor-based monitoring device, work metrics, indicative of work performance, of a plurality of users. The method further includes soliciting input, by a user input solicitation device, from any of the plurality of users who have success regarding at least one work task, regarding activities which led to the success and suggestions on how other users can benefit from the input. The method also includes providing, by an input dissemination device, the input to a particular user identified from among the plurality of users as needing improvement in performing the at least one work task. The success is determined by evaluating the work metrics with respect to at least one threshold.

Abstract: A computer segments market demographic data into a plurality of market segments using statistical clustering techniques based on demographic descriptions. Each market segment is characterized by a plurality of parameters. Ranges or values for each of the plurality of parameters in a persona template are determined for people in the market segment. Each persona template is associated with a plurality of parameters that characterize the market segment represented by the persona. Specific values of the plurality of parameters are assigned to the persona template that describe a specific, sufficiently representative persona and the specific values of the plurality of parameters are checked consistency with each other.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product generate an intelligent persona agent for use in designing a product. One or more processors input a persona specification into an intelligent persona agent generator. The persona specification describes attributes of a set of model users of a particular type of product, and the intelligent personal agent generator creates an intelligent persona agent that is a software-based version of the set of model users. The intelligent persona agent monitors intermediate design choices taken during a design of a product of the particular type of product by a design team. In response to the intelligent persona agent identifying an intermediate design choice that will lead to a feature that is in conflict with the persona specification of the intelligent persona agent, designers modify the intermediate design choice, which modifies the design of the product in order to create an improved product design.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for placeholder management in a unified activity manager in a collaborative computing environment. A method for managing placeholders in a unified activity manager in a collaborative environment can include the step of inserting a placeholder in an activity in lieu of a specified collaborator, resource, or event. The inserting step can include describing a type of resource without specifying an identity of an actual resource; and, inserting the described type in the placeholder. The inserting step also can include describing a type of event without specifying an identity of an actual event; and, inserting the described type in the placeholder. The inserting step also can include describing a type of collaborator without specifying an identity of an actual collaborator; and, inserting the described type in the placeholder.

Abstract: A system for providing a local computer user with detailed activity information regarding remote users, in order to assist the local user in determining whether to initiate a communication session with a remote user. The system provides activity information that may describe the number of instant messaging sessions one or more remote users are currently involved in, the identities of participants in those sessions, activity levels, time period information, and other information. The system further provides detailed activity information describing recent instant messaging sessions of one or more remote users.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to managing interrupting requests to engage in a collaborative session and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for host state sensing for message interruptions. In one embodiment of the invention, a data processing system configured for host sensing for message interruption can include a messenger disposed is a host computing platform, prioritization logic including program code enabled to assign priorities to incoming messages, and host state sensing logic coupled to the host computing platform. The host state sensing logic can include program code enabled to adjust a threshold value for permitting message interruptions for messages having assigned priorities beyond the threshold value.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes monitoring, by a processor-based monitoring device, work metrics, indicative of work performance, of a plurality of users. The method further includes soliciting input, by a user input solicitation device, from any of the plurality of users who have success regarding at least one work task, regarding activities which led to the success and suggestions on how other users can benefit from the input. The method also includes providing, by an input dissemination device, the input to a particular user identified from among the plurality of users as needing improvement in performing the at least one work task. The success is determined by evaluating the work metrics with respect to at least one threshold.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes monitoring, by a processor-based monitoring device, work metrics, indicative of work performance, of a plurality of users. The method further includes soliciting input, by a user input solicitation device, from any of the plurality of users who have success regarding at least one work task, regarding activities which led to the success and suggestions on how other users can benefit from the input. The method also includes providing, by an input dissemination device, the input to a particular user identified from among the plurality of users as needing improvement in performing the at least one work task. The success is determined by evaluating the work metrics with respect to at least one threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to managing interrupting requests to engage in a collaborative session and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for host state sensing for message interruptions. In one embodiment of the invention, a data processing system configured for host sensing for message interruption can include a messenger disposed is a host computing platform, prioritization logic including program code enabled to assign priorities to incoming messages, and host state sensing logic coupled to the host computing platform. The host state sensing logic can include program code enabled to adjust a threshold value for permitting message interruptions for messages having assigned priorities beyond the threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates collaboration on electronic messages. Methods are provided in which an electronic message is stored and presented to users. A user is allowed to perform an action on the electronic message and the action is recorded. Additionally, the record is associated with the electronic message. The users are notified of the action.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically using address information from a selected message to create a new message that is unrelated to the selected message in response to a user action, such as selecting one of a plurality of improved reply options. These improved reply options may include a “New Message To” command and a “New Message To All” command that do not establish a relationship between the reply message and the selected message that could be exploited by, for example, a threading service. In particular, these commands populate address fields of the new message with values from address fields of the selected message without populating any other fields that are used to identify relationships among messages.

Abstract: Under the present invention, one or more groups of contacts are implicitly formed based on a history of electronic communications that involve the contacts. When one or more contacts in a particular group is identified as an intended recipient of a (current) electronic communication, the entire group will be identified to the sender. If the sender then selects group, the contacts therein will be made additional recipients of the current electronic communication.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system presents search result or other data generated in response to a request by a user. The search results are formed of one or more items. The invention system corresponds each item to a respective person. A screen view is generated showing a hierarchy of people including the people corresponding to the items of the search results. Indicated in the screen view is the extent of connectedness between the user and the people corresponding to the items of the search results. The invention system displays indications of the items of the search results in the screen view in a manner illustrating the items in context of the shown hierarchy. This enables a user to (i) easily and readily assign respective confidence levels to items of the search results, and to (ii) determine relationships among people without explicitly requesting the information from others.

Abstract: A system for providing a local computer user with detailed activity information regarding remote users, in order to assist the local user in determining whether to initiate a communication session with a remote user. The system provides activity information that may describe the number of instant messaging sessions one or more remote users are currently involved in, the identities of participants in those sessions, activity levels, time period information, and other information. The system further provides detailed activity information describing recent instant messaging sessions of one or more remote users.

Abstract: A system for providing a local computer user with detailed activity information regarding remote users, in order to assist the local user in determining whether to initiate a communication session with a remote user. The system provides activity information describing the number of instant messaging sessions one or more remote users are currently involved in, the identities of participants in those sessions, activity levels, time period information, and other information. The system further provides detailed activity information describing recent instant messaging sessions of one or more remote users.

Abstract: A system for providing a local computer user with detailed activity information regarding remote users, in order to assist the local user in determining whether to initiate a communication session with a remote user. The system provides activity information describing the number of instant messaging sessions one or more remote users are currently involved in, the identities of participants in those sessions, activity levels, time period information, and other information. The system further provides detailed activity information describing recent instant messaging sessions of one or more remote users.

Abstract: An expertise locator enables user defined correspondences between experts and respective certain objects. Each object inherits from classes in a hierarchy. Using the correspondences, a locator processor routine finds a candidate expert about a particular subject area. The candidate expert may be in a correspondence with a certain object whose class is a subclass of the particular subject area. Output may display an indication of the candidate expert, relevant expertise per candidate and/or a list of experts per certain object. In the case of the certain objects being topics, the hierarchy is an ontology of the topics.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for just-in-time semantic information retrieval is disclosed. A user interface detects user interaction with a displayed semantic entity. In response, a search member uses semantic information about the displayed entity and automatically searches for information about the subject entity. The search employs system and/or external knowledge bases and returns highly relevant results and information with increased specificity due to the semantic basis. A sidebar unobtrusively displays to the user the search results initially obtained without user request or demand, i.e., on the user's behalf. The sidebar enables the user to dismiss the search results and to effectively copy or export the search results as desired.

Abstract: A computer system and method providing on-demand extension of ontology in an ontology use process. A support module responds to a creation event in the ontology use process. The support module defines ontology specification for a newly created item, in the creation event, in a manner substantially free of disruption or interruption to the ontology use process. An ontology manager incorporates the defined ontology specification into the ontology during the ontology use process such that an on-demand extension of the ontology results. One example ontology use process is semantic modeling of situations, organizations, or objects of interest. Modeling and ontology specification take place hand in hand, and the ontology is extended on an as-needed and on-demand fashion during the course of modeling.