Abstract: Technology for pre-ordering (e.g., pre-fetching content) at a shared computing premise is described. The technology can enable a user to locate and reserve an available seat at a shared computing premise (e.g., an iCafé). A service can transmit to the user a list of nearby iCafés or available seats that is ranked or ordered based on various criteria. The selected iCafé may pre-fetch content. The iCafé may also provide the pre-fetched content on removable media so that the user does not need to view all the pre-fetched content only at the iCafé. The iCafé may provide a search and/or document notification service and perform searches, download documents, and check for changes to specified documents even when the user is not logged on or using a computer at the iCafé. After the documents are retrieved and stored, the iCafé may send a notification to the user.

Abstract: Technology is described for local ad targeting. An engine executing on a client computing device may select ads based on rules that can be modified without modifying the engine. The engine can select from advertisements stored locally based on data discovered at the client computing device, such as by observing the user's actions, stored documents, state of the client computing device and/or its peripherals, etc. The technology can employ plug-ins to extend functionality provided by the engine. The technology can include a plug-in manager that manages plug-ins. The technology can also download and manage rules. Each rule can specify what actions to take, such as when an event occurs. When a component of the operating system observes an event, the engine (or a rule executor component associated with the engine) executes each related rule. The technology can thus select ads based on arbitrary events of the operating system, applications, or other components.

Abstract: Technology for pre-ordering (e.g., pre-fetching content) at a shared computing premise is described. The technology can enable a user to locate and reserve an available seat at a shared computing premise (e.g., an iCafé). A service can transmit to the user a list of nearby iCafés or available seats that is ranked or ordered based on various criteria. The selected iCafé may pre-fetch content. The iCafé may also provide the pre-fetched content on removable media so that the user does not need to view all the pre-fetched content only at the iCafé. The iCafé may provide a search and/or document notification service and perform searches, download documents, and check for changes to specified documents even when the user is not logged on or using a computer at the iCafé. After the documents are retrieved and stored, the iCafé may send a notification to the user.

Abstract: A cross-process layer is generally directed to exposing instant messenger (IM) presence information on a mobile device. An application program interface (API) is provided that allows clients to retrieve IM presence information for display regardless of the IM service provider providing the IM presence information. The IM service providers therefore interoperate with any application on the mobile device and enables any application to show presence for any IM contact.

Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates synchronizing data across multiple accounts at about the same time is provided. The system and method involve configuring an intelligent set of synchronization rules that can apply to various data types from one or more user accounts or storage locations. In addition, the system or method can leverage off of existing search folders or search queries to configure the synchronization rules.

Abstract: An advertising framework registers context data sources and advertising display clients from a variety of resources on a local computer. The ad framework may then receive context data and display triggers from the registered context data sources. The context data and display triggers may be processed and an advertising request generated and sent to an external advertising source. Non-advertising content may also be supported. When a targeted advertisement is received in response, a display manager may send the ad to an appropriate display client. When the ad has been presented a the advertising framework will communicate to the advertising supplier who may apportion and credit advertising revenue to the participating parties.

Abstract: The method tracks keywords about a non-user of a computer and stores it in various contact profiles. The keywords in the contact profiles can be compared to stored content and content related to the keywords in the contact profile may be communicated to the user.

Abstract: Described is a system and method in which the account settings for managing (e.g., sending and receiving) data are maintained in association with the managed data, such that the account settings and data remain unified yet are independent of any computing device. In one electronic mail application implementation, the mail message data and the account settings are maintained in a common store of a same storage volume that is independent of the device, such as on a removable memory card. When a user connects the volume such as by inserting the card, the device automatically reads the email account settings, which are then used to properly receive or send any corresponding messages. Because the account settings are maintained in the same store with any related content (e.g., message) data, the settings and related data thus travel with the user/card when moved to another device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate identifying messages generated on a mobile device while the device is offline as requiring encryption, storing the messages in a message outbox with a flag indicating that encryption is required, and identifying recipients of the flagged messages to generate a recipient list. The recipient list can be piggybacked on a server synchronization request when the mobile device enters a period of online activity, and a server can return public keys associated with identified recipients to permit an encryption component, such as a secure/multipurpose Internet mail extension protocol (S/MIME) encryption component, in the mobile device to encrypt the messages.

Abstract: Unsent messages are securely stored in a client by determining whether a connection to a server exists. If the connection exists, the message can be sent using the intended recipient's public key. In response to a determination that a connection from the client to a server does not exist, information from the client can be used to encrypt a modulated data signal that is to be sent from the client to the server. The encrypted modulated data signal is stored on the client. When a determination is made that a connection from the client to the server exists, information from the client is used to decrypt the encrypted modulated data signal.

Abstract: A cross-process layer is generally directed to exposing instant messenger (IM) presence information on a mobile device. An application program interface (API) is provided that allows clients to retrieve IM presence information for display regardless of the IM service provider providing the IM presence information. The IM service providers therefore interoperate with any application on the mobile device and enables any application to show presence for any IM contact.

Abstract: Described is a system and method in which the account settings for managing (e.g., sending and receiving) data are maintained in association with the managed data, such that the account settings and data remain unified yet are independent of any computing device. In one electronic mail application implementation, the mail message data and the account settings are maintained in a common store of a same storage volume that is independent of the device, such as on a removable memory card. When a user connects the volume such as by inserting the card, the device automatically reads the email account settings, which are then used to properly receive or send any corresponding messages. Because the account settings are maintained in the same store with any related content (e.g., message) data, the settings and related data thus travel with the user/card when moved to another device.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for filtering messages received by a message-handling program, that leverage the existing message-handling architecture of computer devices to trigger events and perform other actions instead of (or in addition to) displaying the messages to users. One or more rule clients, e.g., COM objects, register for processing messages. When an appropriate message is received, the message-handling mechanism passes the message to a rule client. Depending on how that rule client responds, the message-handling mechanism determines what to do with the message, e.g., discontinue the message. Messages that are not discontinued are passed to another rule client, if any, or displayed in the user interface, if not. Rule clients may be read only, or may have write access, to modify messages. Messages may be hidden from a user by a rule client, modified before being display to a user, or left intact.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for synchronizing certain periodic activities and/or processes in a computer system or device. The synchronization allows more efficient use of the computer system's or device's processing capabilities, and may result in conservation of electrical power. In one example embodiment, a periodic scheduler is implemented to periodically verify the continued existence of critical processes operating in the computer system or device. Corrective, or other appropriate, action may be taken in the event of a failure of a critical process. A schedule list, which may be a linked list, may be used to track the periodic processes that are to occur. Upon registration of a critical process, the schedule list may be modified to synchronize the new periodic process with the existing schedule list.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for synchronizing certain periodic activities and/or processes in a computer system or device. The synchronization allows more efficient use of the computer system's or device's processing capabilities, and may result in conservation of electrical power. In one example embodiment, a periodic scheduler is implemented to periodically verify the continued existence of critical processes operating in the computer system or device. Corrective, or other appropriate, action may be taken in the event of a failure of a critical process. A schedule list, which may be a linked list, may be used to track the periodic processes that are to occur. Upon registration of a critical process, the schedule list may be modified to synchronize the new periodic process with the existing schedule list.