Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for implementing real-time collective moderation of collaborative user environments by allowing participants in a collaborative environment to collectively control a level of interaction allowed for a target participant in real time. In an embodiment of the invention, collaborators are provided with a user interface having controls for allowing collaborators to indicate a level of interaction that should be allowed for a target participant in the collaborative environment. The controls of the graphical user interface allow a collaborator to indicate that a target participant should be allowed at least one of a greater level of interaction or a lower level of interaction in the collaborative user environment.

Abstract: A system and method of performing cooperative non-repudiated message exchange from a first system to a second system in a computer network comprises checking for discrepancies between a current system time in the second system with an actual time; performing a time synchronization process to match the current system time with the actual time; exchanging public encryption keys between the first and second systems; sending a digitally signed message from the first system to the second system; decoding the digitally signed message; sending a digitally signed acknowledgment message from the second system to the first system; decoding the digitally signed acknowledgment message; and committing text of the digitally signed message to an official transcript on the first system.

Abstract: A solution for managing a set of collaborative contacts is provided. Each collaborative contact includes one or more collaboration capabities, each of which corresponds to a unique collaboration tool (e.g., voice over IP, instant messaging, email, and/or the like). Identifying text can be used to search the set of collaborative conatacts and obtain a set of candidate contacts. An availabilty status for each collaboration capability of each candidate contact can be requested and a display can be generated that includes the set of candidate contacts. In one embodiment, the display can include an indication of the collaboration capabilities for one or more of the candidate contacts, and/or the availablility status for one or more collaboration capabilities. A user can use the display to request a collaboration session between the user and one or more of the candidate contacts.

Abstract: A system for communicating status data associated with a first user to a second user, for use with a first data processing system associated with a plurality of status events of the first user and comprising a first communication component for communicating status event data associated with the plurality of status events. The system comprises: a status event handler for receiving communicated status event data; a weight component for determining weight data associated with the status event data; and a second communication component for communicating the weight data to a second data processing system.

Abstract: A client application program subscribing to a channel of a pub/sub service, receives a message published by the pub/sub service, the received message invoking an associated application program at the client.

Abstract: Presenting a Pub/Sub service GUI interface to a subscribers computer system, the GUI interface comprising one or more topics to which the subscriber can subscribe, the Pub/sub service having a list of subscribers subscribing to a topic. The GUI interface preferably comprising widgets, enabling a subscriber to manage subscriptions to topics. The Pub/Sub service publishes messages of a topic according to the subscription list.

Abstract: A client subscribes to a pub/sub service, the client comprises an application program for performing an operation on a published message received from a Pub/Sub service. The operation on the message comprises any one of saving the message to storage, accessing a web service based on information in the received message, authorizing subscription, executing an application identified by the message, filtering the message information for presentation to a user, overriding a message function, transforming the message media format or forwarding the message to another node.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for filtering content presented on a computer system. The method includes selecting an application associated with the computer, selecting a priority level for the application, and selecting at least one mode of presentment relating to the priority level. The mode of presentment is used to handle the manner in which content is presented on the computer. The method also includes storing selections made relating to the application, priority level, and the mode of presentment. The invention also includes a system and a storage medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scalable inquiries in a network of communicating peers are provided. The method and apparatus of the present invention make use of communal filters and randomization to determine which client devices will output a message that is to be broadcast to a community of client devices. Each message is assigned a probability value that is determined based on various criteria or may be determined randomly. The message is then transmitted to the client devices who apply their own respective display criteria to the message parameters to determine if the message is one that is of interest to the user of the client device. If the message is not of interest to the user of the client device, the message is discarded. If the message is of interest to the user, logic is applied to the parameters of the message to determine whether the message should be displayed to the user or not.

Abstract: An unsolicited dynamic interactive message is created wherein the message defines any graphical user interface elements to be displayed, the rules associated with the message, the appropriate methods and functions which can be performed and specific contextual interactions supported. The message definition can originate from a local or remote computer and can be pre and post processed as specified by the computing environment and the message definition itself.

Abstract: Publishing electronic messages to clients within a group in a Pub/Sub message publishing environment wherein the group includes authorized participating clients in network communication with a pub/sub service. A client is authenticated for authority to publish messages to a selected group of subscribing clients.

Abstract: Electronic messages are published through a pub/sub service to subscribing clients. Client applications filter incoming messages according to user predefined criteria, only presenting messages to the user that pass filtering criteria. Messages are preferably Instant Messages transmitted in a SOAP protocol.