Abstract: A method for providing context-sensitive help across variable environments. In each of the variable environments, the method can include tokenizing a received network request for help, the tokenization producing a contextually pertinent help file name and a base address of a corresponding help file. Subsequently, the corresponding help file can be located in a fixed storage location referenced by associating the help file name with the base address. Finally, the located help file can be encoded with the base address, and transmitting to a requesting client.

Abstract: An enhanced form-based input element attribute prompting system. The system can include a servlet configured to process requests for enhanced form-based input elements, each request encapsulating at least one input element attribute associated with a requested enhanced form-based input element; and, a graphical element generation processor configured to generate an enhanced form-based input element based upon at least one specified input element attribute provided by the servlet. Each enhanced form-based input element generated by the graphical element generation processor can include a form-based input element and at least one form-based input element attribute prompt. Additionally, the attribute prompt can include least one attribute selected from the group consisting of a textual description of validation criteria, a graphical indication of input-element state, and a graphical indication of an available field action.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) element rendering method. A GUI element rendering method can include serving a Web page to a Web browser. The Web page can include markup which defines a form and the form can include one or more submittable input elements, each submittable input element having a corresponding key-value pair. The key-value pair can include an identifying key and a value, and one or more of the identifying keys can include a shallow form submit key indicating a request for advanced GUI element processing. One or more of the submitted key-value pairs can be received from the Web browser from among which a shallow form submit key can be identified. In consequence, advanced GUI element processing can be performed based upon values which are associated with the identified shallow form submit key.

Abstract: A network distributable emulated menu. The menu can include one or more composite images, each image including menu text and a graphical icon, the icon denoting a selectable menu; one or more selectable form-based input elements, each element encapsulating one of the composite images; and a graphical image of a menu structure, the graphical image including at least one form-based input element encapsulating a reference to a composite image of menu text and a graphical icon, the icon denoting at least one of a menu action and a selectable menu. Additionally, the emulated menu can include one or more table cells, each cell containing one of the selectable form-based input elements. Finally, the menu structure can include at least one of a textual menu action, a graphically selectable menu action, and a nested menu structure.