Abstract: Described is a technology by which a user interface page outputs security status information obtained from network-wide and/or network client security components. This allows for simultaneous evaluation of the state of various network-wide and client security components, such as antimalware state, anti-spam state, firewall state, client program update state, and state data from a remote security service. Network security page logic couples to network-wide security components and client security components to obtain security state data for each. A user interface associated with the network security page logic lists the security components and the current security status for each, such as via an icon that changes its appearance to reflect the current state.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which a client discovers services (e.g., Internet services) via a service listing server, and upon selecting a service, the client and/or service are automatically configured to couple to one another such that the client may host the service. In one example, a client includes or is associated with a mechanism that couples to the server listing server that maintains information regarding services, and communicates with that server to request available services. The service listing server returns a list, from which the client selects a service and returns configuration information needed by the service to be hosted. The service listing server evaluates and may modify the client configuration information as necessary to make the client compatible with the selected service. The client applies the modified configuration information to at least one client application or resource to configure the client for hosting the service.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which a remote network (or local) service is monitored for failure, e.g., by determining whether data corresponding to operation of the service achieves a threshold. When a threshold is achieved that indicates that the service has failed, the service is automatically deactivated for use with a local workload, and the workload switched to use a second service or system having functionality similar to that of the failed service. The second service may be monitored for failure, as may the failed service to determine when it is again operational. In this manner, a remote primary service may have another local or remote secondary service/system automatically substituted for it when it fails, and be restored for use when it returns to acceptable operation.

Abstract: Targeted user interfaces of managed applications can be displayed in a number of ways. Targeted user interfaces can be displayed, at a management computer server, based on task templates associated with tasks selected in a user interface of a management application running on the management computer server. Targeted user interfaces can be displayed, at a management computer server, based on a chosen task template associated with a task selected in a user interface of a management application running on the management computer server. A task template can be chosen from one or more task templates associated with a selected task. Objects can be displayed in a user interface of a management application, and based on a selection of an object, tasks can be displayed.

Abstract: Extensibility computer servers and extensibility applications can be managed. Extensibility computer servers and extensibility applications can be discovered using a management application on a management computer server. An extensibility agent can be installed on an extensibility computer server, and used to provide status information. Tasks can be created for managing extensibility computer servers and extensibility applications. Entity groups representing extensibility computer servers and extensibility applications can be displayed and selected. Extensibility computer servers and extensibility applications can be displayed based on the selection of an entity group. Task templates associated with a selected entity group can be displayed.

Abstract: Refining a user query is disclosed. In one method, a query is received from a user, and then mapped to one or more search concepts. A list of search concepts associated with the query is then displayed. Alternatively or additionally, the search concepts associated with the query are used to provide a set of improved search results. In another method, a number of queries from a number of users are analyzed to identify two or more search concepts, and a popularity value is assigned to them based on the queries. Thus, the relative popularity of the respective search concepts can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, a preferred search query for the search concepts can be determined. The popularity and preferred queries can be used to allow automatic or user-initiated refinement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for improving a user's ability to direct the computer to perform a desired function. A single uniform input control is provided that receives user input, such as from a keyboard. The present embodiment then parses the user input to determine its input type and whether the input type corresponds to a single, recognized action performable by the computer and, if so, performs the action. Such recognized actions include navigating to an Internet site and composing an e-mail message. If the input type does not correspond to a single recognized action, the user input is submitted to at least one text processor, such as a natural language processor, that analyzes the user input to obtain at least one interpretation corresponding to an action performable by the computer. The at least one interpretation is returned to the user who may select a desired action from among the listing of interpretations.

Abstract: Refining a user query is disclosed. In one method, a query is received from a user, and then mapped to one or more search concepts. A list of search concepts associated with the query is then displayed. Alternatively or additionally, the search concepts associated with the query are used to provide a set of improved search results. In another method, a number of queries from a number of users are analyzed to identify two or more search concepts, and a popularity value is assigned to them based on the queries. Thus, the relative popularity of the respective search concepts can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, a preferred search query for the search concepts can be determined. The popularity and preferred queries can be used to allow automatic or user-initiated refinement.

Abstract: This invention uses a computer program to mine preexisting private branch exchange configuration data located in a variety of preexisting source private branch exchange configuration databases. The computer program either creates a new private branch exchange configuration database from parts of existing private branch exchange configuration databases or modifies an existing private branch exchange configuration database. The computer program replaces the current system's reliance upon manual data entry by data engineers to configure the operation of a new telecommunication switch or replace the software in a telecommunication switch that was damaged or requires a new private branch exchange configuration data configuration.

Abstract: This invention uses a computer program to mine preexisting operator services configuration data located in a variety of preexisting source operator services configuration databases. The computer program either creates a new operator services configuration database from parts of existing operator services configuration databases or modifies an existing operator services configuration database. The computer program replaces the current system's reliance upon manual data entry by data engineers to configure the operation of a new telecommunication switch or replace the software in a telecommunication switch that was damaged or requires a new operator services configuration data configuration.