Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a data processing method for saving data stored within a portion of a memory associated with a first process executable by a data processing system; the method comprising the steps of: executing, substantially concurrently or substantially in parallel under control of a scheduler, a first process, with a respective execution priority, to perform a data processing task using a current portion of the memory and a backup process, having a respective execution priority, to create a back-up copy of data stored within the memory during the performance of that data processing task; the backup process being executable in response to a predeterminable event associated with the first process; and creating a back-up copy of the data in response to the predeterminable event associated with the first process.

Abstract: A method of brokering network services by identifying a service which is complementary to a first service, the first service having an associated first service description comprising first service identification information identifying the service offered and first interface type information, the first interface type information comprising at least one of an input format accepted by the first service and an output format generated by the first service, the method comprising the steps of; identifying a second service having an associated second service description comprising second service identification information identifying the service offered and second interface type information which is complementary to the first interface type information, and modifying the first service description in accordance with the second service description.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a data processing method for saving data stored within a portion of a memory associated with a first process executable by a data processing system; the method comprising the steps of: executing, substantially concurrently or substantially in parallel under control of a scheduler, a first process, with a respective execution priority, to perform a data processing task using a current portion of the memory and a backup process, having a respective execution priority, to create a back-up copy of data stored within the memory during the performance of that data processing task; the backup process being executable in response to a predeterminable event associated with the first process; and creating a back-up copy of the data in response to the predeterminable event associated with the first process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distributed file system and method for distributing files between computing devices (10-22) of at least one group of computing devices (10-22) in which files are distributed automatically upon the networking of two or more computing devices (10-22). In the preferred embodiment, the user is not required to invoke any file distribution application as this is effected automatically. Advantageously, all files in a shared file directory are distributed to all computers (10-22) in the group and stored in a usable format such that every computer (10-22) is able to read and write to a shared file even when not networked to other computers (10-22) in the group. File distribution is preferably carried out in a non-specific manner and in a one-for-all manner. The system is very suitable for networks with low connectivity patterns between the computers.

Abstract: A method of brokering network services by identifying a service which is complementary to a first service,

Abstract: A method of maintaining a user profile in accordance with requested information comprising the steps of;

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling email is described. The method includes the step of re-transmitting a sent email to the originating sender where an intervening check of specified transmission criteria is included. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission criteria may include checking the email for content, any required attachments and the like. In response to such transmission criteria, the user can elect to send the email with or without amendment. In an alternative embodiment, the method checks for the presence of the sender in the cc: bcc: or to: list and depending on the inclusion of the sender, the system proceeds with sending the email or resubmits it for a checking step. The invention can be applied to a variety of system architectures including networks, client/server systems and the like.