Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling participant input in a conferencing environment supporting at least first and second end points which can operate in at least two different modes. While in the first operating mode, the end points can make changes to the conference data at will. The conference remains in the first operating mode until a request is received from a participant to change the conference to a second operating mode. Once this request is received, the conference switches to the second operating mode. While in the second operating mode, only one of the first and second end points can make changes at any particular time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating user information with conference participants in a conferencing environment generates one or more attendee bars corresponding to the conferencing environment. Each attendee bar includes a plurality of panels corresponding to the conferencing participants, and each of the panels includes information regarding a conferencing participant. The attendee bar is then updated whenever the information regarding one of the plurality of conferencing participants changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically arranging windows on a display device where each of a first set of the plurality of windows includes a class designation, and the class designation for each window of this first set of windows can be different. The method identifies the class designation for each window of this first set of windows and arranges the first set of windows on the display according to the class designation of each window of the first set.

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: A method and apparatus for synchronizing viewed information between a first endpoint and a second endpoint of a conferencing environment so that the first and second endpoints display the same location of the viewed information includes one of the endpoints receiving a request to synchronize the viewed information. An identifier of the location to which the document is to be synchronized is also received. The viewed information at the endpoint is then updated to display the identified location. In one embodiment, the first endpoint receives the request to synchronize the viewed information and sends a view synchronization message to the second endpoint. The view synchronization message includes a page identifier corresponding to the identified location and a center point which identifies a location within the page corresponding to the page identifier. Upon receipt of the view synchronization message, the viewed information at the second endpoint is updated to display the identified location.