Abstract: A guided transition user interface may be used to transition from a first user interface to a second user interface. The guided transition user interface may include a representation of the second user interface as well as a description of a task to perform from the first user interface. The guided transition user interface may include a graphical image of the second user interface with annotated or highlighted areas that are related to the task. The guided transition user interface may be used for transitioning between areas of one application, transitioning between applications, and transitioning between interacting with different computing devices.

Abstract: Front end preprocessing modifies queries to get them in better form for presentation to a variety of data sources. The queries are modified by grouping terms as phrases, correcting spelling errors, and augmenting the query with category terms that trigger query execution on certain data sources. Context information about a particular user as well as information about previous queries by other uses are also used to modify the query to better reflect the user's intent.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cabinet defining a chamber, a drawer slidably positioned within the chamber and movable between an open position and a closed position, the drawer defining a compartment configured to receive a load, in the closed position the drawer coupled to the cabinet and restricting air flow exiting the cabinet. The apparatus includes an ozone generator configured to selectively generate ozone into the compartment, an ozone conversion device configured to selectively convert ozone to oxygen, and a sensor configured to detect a level of ozone within the compartment and generate a signal representative of the level of ozone. A controller is operatively coupled to the ozone generator, the ozone conversion device and the sensor, and is configured to activate one of the ozone generator and the ozone conversion device in response to a signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus to hold discs and other objects having interior holes are disclosed. An apparatus, in one aspect, may include a base, a top that is dimensioned smaller than a diameter of an interior hole of a data storage disc to allow the top to pass through the hole, sides connecting the top with the base, and a disc support surface of the sides to support the disc if the top is passed through the hole and the disc is rested on the sides. An apparatus, in another aspect, may include a disc holder including an electrically conductive material, and a conductive line coupled at a first end thereof with the electrically conductive material of the disc holder to conduct static electricity away from the conductive material. Methods of using the apparatus to hold the discs and other objects having interior holes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tasks for managing a network can be displayed in a priority task list. Tasks can be selected for inclusion based on rules, such as rules relating to best practices. The rules can be applied against network status, usage status, user profiles, and the like. Upon selection of a user interface element in the priority task list, an appropriate user interface for accomplishing the task can be displayed.

Abstract: Multiple options, techniques, and procedures can be provided for navigating, accessing, and displaying tasks, task templates, or instances of task templates. Two options can be presented for navigating to a task template using a user interface. One option can comprise selecting a task from a contextual task list, and the other option can comprise selecting a context-free task. A user can visually switch between two procedures for providing access to a task template. A first procedure can comprise invoking the task template by selecting a task from a context-free task list. A second procedure can comprise invoking the task template by selecting a contextual task from a contextual task list that displayed as a result of a selection of an entity from a topology view. Other techniques for task navigation can comprise displaying a topology view and a contextual task list, and displaying a list of context-free tasks.

Abstract: Management status summaries can be displayed representing conditions of aspects of a computer network. Status information relating to an aspect of a computer network can be obtained from network resources. Status rules can be evaluated based on the obtained status information, and a condition indicator set. A visual representation of the condition indicator, representing the condition of the aspect, can be displayed in a user interface. Status information relating to a plurality of aspects can be obtained from a plurality of network resources, status rules can be evaluated, and a plurality of condition indicators set. Visual representations of the plurality of condition indicators of the plurality of aspects can be displayed. A computer user interface can comprise a first content area displaying visual representations of condition indicators indicating conditions of aspects of a computer network and a second content area displaying details from status information.

Abstract: User connection information can be displayed. User connection information can represent user connections to a plurality of computer servers of a multi-server system. User connection information can be received from a plurality of computer servers, user details can be obtained, and a representation of the user connection information for the plurality of computer servers can be displayed. Users connected to computer servers can be notified by displaying a representation of user connection information, displaying a user-notification task, receiving a selection of the user notification task, and notifying the users of an event. User connection information can be retrieved and displayed by retrieving user connection information from a plurality computer servers of a multi-server system, storing the retrieved user connection information, and displaying a representation of the user connection information based on the stored user connection information.

Abstract: Multiple integrated computer servers can be installed. User interfaces can be presented and installation answers received. Servers and software can be installed according to installation answers. An installation answer provided on one server can be used to install other servers. Installation of computer servers can be an automated and distributed process. Decisions can be made to install applications on servers. Configuration settings can be received and used to install applications. A configuration setting can be received on one server and used to install applications on other servers. Computer servers can be installed by asking installation questions and receiving installation answers. Installation decisions can then be made regarding configuring a server. A knowledge base can be consulted and additional installation decisions can be made.

Abstract: Computer server installation images can be created by installing and configuring software, such as an operating system and an application, on a computer server with deployment neutral settings and then imaging the server. A plurality of computer servers can be installed using a plurality of computer server installation images. A first server can be installed with a first image, and software installed from the image can be configured with deployment specific settings. A second server can be installed with a second image, and software installed from the image can be configured with deployment specific settings.

Abstract: The usefulness of task templates can be maintained in a number of ways. Task templates can be updated on a client server from a remote task update server by initiating communication with the remote task update server, selecting a task template from a list of available task templates presented by the remote task update server, and downloading the selected task template to the client server in a format defined by a schema. Task templates can be updated on a client server by receiving a request from the client server, presenting a task template based on the request, receiving a selection of the task template, and transmitting the task template to the client server in a format defined by a schema. Task templates can also be managed by downloading task templates, assigning group names, and storing the downloaded task templates in a database.

Abstract: Automated redundant configuration of a computer service can be accomplished in a variety of ways. An installation answer can be received and used to automatically determine configuration settings for a computer service to operate redundantly across multiple computer servers. The configuration settings can then be used to configure the multiple computer servers. A user can be asked an installation question, and based on the answer different configuration settings can be determined for configuring a first and second server of a plurality of computer servers. The first and second server can be configured with the corresponding configuration settings. In addition, an installation knowledge base can be consulted, based on an installation answer, when automatically determining configuration settings.

Abstract: Purchasing of computer licenses for accessing computer services can be integrated, automated, and secured in a variety of ways. License purchasing rules can be created and used to automatically purchase licenses. License purchasing can take place via an online license purchase portal. Purchased licenses can be automatically downloaded and installed. Licenses can be purchased through a licensor, or through a reseller. Purchased licenses can be stored. Purchased licenses can be in a format defined by a schema. A license schema can define fields for identifying and validating the license.

Abstract: A variety of technologies related to the management of computer licenses for accessing services are applied. Licenses can be purchased in a dynamic license pack. Dynamic license packs can be activated and stored. Licenses can be automatically provisioned. License provisioning rules can be used to automatically provision licenses to licensable resources, and once provisioned the assignments can be stored. Licenses can be enforced across a single machine or service or across multiple machines or services. Services can enforce licensing by checking license assignments for licensable resources attempting to access the service. Licensing services can check and maintain licensing consistency. Licensing services can also generate promotion codes in order to support promotions.

Abstract: The subject invention provides for systems and methods that allow a web user to more easily and readily print what they actually want to print and at the same time, mitigates user frustration that often ensues from poor web page printing. More specifically, the subject invention involves deciphering a structure or layout of any web page on the Internet. When a user employs the present print feature, the invention can be invoked to analyze the structure of a current web page to automatically generate a print preview page of the current web page. After analyzing the current web page, extraneous content of the page that is deemed to be non-critical or non-essential to that web page can be removed for printing purposes. Furthermore, previous knowledge learned regarding web page structure can be applied to determine the page and/or content structure of the current page to facilitate generating the print preview page.

Abstract: An image query system, and associated method and computer program product are disclosed that enhance and accelerate image-based querying. To this end, the present invention presents a digital image query with implict and explicit associated metadata and retrieval of visually similar images or other pertinent information from a large collection of images stored on local, networked, or web-linked repositories.

Abstract: A system and related techniques monitor user navigation behavior to automatically detect candidate sites for addition to a user's browser favorites. A client machine, Internet service provider or other resource may host or execute implicit favorites logic which may detect parameters, behavior and variables indicating that a user may wish to add a Web site or other location or content to their set of browser favorites. Thus for example the navigation to a site a certain number of times a day, week or other period may indicate the user has recurring interest in the content of that site. Other factors, such as dwell time on a Web site or page, repeated click-throughs or selections of a Web site from search results over time, or other behavior or parameters may be captured and analyzed. When a candidate site or other content is identified, the user may be prompted to add that site to their set of browser favorites, or in embodiments may be automatically added according to user or default selection.

Abstract: A system and related techniques monitor and manage the delivery of automatic help resources to users engaged in search activity. According to embodiments of the invention, automatic help logic may detect the initiation of search activity, for instance by detecting user navigation to a known Internet search service or other location. The auto help logic may capture, record and examine user behavior and search data such as search input, dwell time, navigation re-traces, spelling errors and other behavior or data to characterize the search progress or effectiveness experienced by that user. When the auto help logic determines that the user has reached an impasse or experienced ineffective results or progress, the logic may generate and present automatic help, such as suggested query terms, adjustments to spell checking processing, adding or modifying search content sources, or other resources or tools.

Abstract: A system and related techniques execute search queries against both remote Internet or other search services, as well as local or remote email stores. A user may access a search service Web site or other search interface, and enter search inputs or terms. That search input may be transmitted to a remote search service via the Internet or other network, as well as through access logic which communicates the same search inputs to the user's local or remote email store. Web sites as well as email messages or other content that matches the search input may be retrieved both from the remote search service as well as the email store, and presented to the user in combined or separate fashion. The access logic may manage the transmission of necessary authentication credentials to remote servers or otherwise to access and retrieve the email portion of the results. According to embodiments, email search results may be cached to improve access time and integration with results retrieved from the search service.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving a user search experience by identifying spam results in a result set produced in response to a query. The system may include a user interface spam feedback mechanism for allowing a user to indicate that a given result is spam. The system may additionally include an automated spam identification mechanism for implementing automated techniques on the given result to determine whether the given result is spam. The system may further include a merging component for merging the determinations of the user interface spam feedback mechanism and the automated spam identification mechanism for deriving an indicator of the likelihood that a given result is spam.