Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for communications system, such as an instant messaging system, to allow encrypted conversations to be updated in real-time. The messages are encrypted with authentication keys or other security measures. The system and method provide the ability to modify an encrypted instant messaging conversation on the fly, where one user can seamlessly update the text without having to retype the full sentence or part of it. A sender's client may allow a sender client system to modify, for example, automatically or upon sender's input a message that has already been delivered to the recipients involved in the communication session. Once modified, the sender's client may allow the sender client system to deliver the revision to the recipients.

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for moderating the automated scheduling of meetings and their respective participants. Input actions are received resulting in the origination of a meeting, which is then assigned a hierarchical prioritization value that is cross referenced to the meeting moderator's hierarchical ranking parameters, which are contextually referenced to a hierarchical directory system. Candidate meeting participants are selected for the meeting and their availability information is retrieved. Comparison operations are then performed against the priority ranking of the meeting, the meeting participant's availability information, and the respective hierarchical ranking parameters of the meeting moderator and candidate meeting participants. Optimum scheduling for the meeting is determined and scheduling conflicts are identified.

Abstract: A user interface (UI), which reflects exchanges in the past and the future between a user and entities. The UI includes a background having a user defined granularity, a plurality of dots, which can represent at least one collaborative exchange of a user and which are each arranged on the background, a graphic connection between any two or more dots which each represent exchanges between the user and similar entities, a first graphic which includes first level information, and a second graphic which includes second level information. For any set of one or more dots which each represent exchanges between the user and similar entities, the dot closest to or within the central area includes a graphical identifier that indicates whether the entity is currently available for a new exchange.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to arbitrating polling results and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for collaborative arbitration of polling results in a collaborative environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for collaborative arbitration of polling results in a collaborative environment can be provided. The method can include placing a poll within a message and sending the message to a select group of collaborators in the collaborative environment. The method further can include receiving poll results from a collaborator in the select group in a reply to the message, extracting the poll results from the reply and placing the poll within a new message along with the extracted poll results. Thereafter, the new message can be sent to the select group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to message response management and provide a method, system and computer program product for motivating and de-motivating message responses. In one embodiment of the invention, a message reply motivation and de-motivation method can be provided. The method can include composing a message, addressing the message to at least one addressee, associating a reply preference specifying whether or not a recipient is to reply to the message, and forwarding the reply preference to the addressee. Upon receipt, the message can be displayed in a message viewer, and any reply preference for the message can be analyzed to determine if the reply preference specifies whether or not to reply to the message. Thereafter, the reply preference can be applied in the message viewer.

Abstract: A system for eliminating the time lost in initial stages of a Web conference due to participants not being in-place on-time is disclosed. The system enables automatic steps to be taken at the server to pull conference participants into a conference based on their acceptance of an invitation to the conference. A server system provides indications of confirmed conference participants to agent software on the client systems, and activates client side agents when the a conference is about to start. The Web conference server communicates relevant conference information to each client side agent. The agent launches the user's client side browser and automatically performs any other preliminary steps that are required to join the participant to the conference. The participant user may be presented with a user interface that enables them to either accept or reject the automatic login to the conference. If the user rejects the automatic login, then indication of this rejection is passed to the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control caching for offline scheduling services. Exemplary embodiments include a computerized method for managing electronic calendar schedules, including selectively providing calendar information to a chairperson for caching the calendar information related to a group of users while connected to a network, defining a relationship with the chairperson, defining an information level depending on the relationship with the chairperson, periodically updating a log file that contains data related to the information level and responding to a proposed meeting schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for caching calendar schedules for offline scheduling services. Exemplary embodiments include managing electronic calendar schedules, including caching information related to a group of users while connected to a network, defining a relationship with the group of users, selectively implementing a cache refresh rate for the cached information, using the cached information to schedule a proposed meeting while disconnected from the network, checking for conflicts between the proposed meeting and the schedules of the group of users while connected to the network, refreshing the cached information in response to conflicts and scheduling a revised meeting based on the refreshed cached information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to instant messaging and persistent chats and provide a method, system and computer program product for controlling active and passive participation among participants in a thread of conversation in an instant messaging session or persistent chat. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling active and passive participation among participants in a thread of conversation can be provided. The method can include creating a thread of conversation in a messaging system, adding participants to the thread, classifying the participants as one of either active or passive, and permitting only those participants classified as active participants to post to the thread while providing merely a view of the thread to the passive participants.

Abstract: A system and method for preempting a user's activity state in instant messaging (IM). The system includes a server node configured to administer an IM application. At least one client node is operably associated via a network to the server node. The at least one client node is configured to receive and transmit instant messages via the IM application. The client node permits a user to do at least one of, (i) enable a user about to go offline alert signal or (ii) disable a previously set user about to go offline alert signal.

Abstract: A method for distributing information to an invitee of an instant messaging (IM) meeting prior to acceptance of the meeting. The method includes initiating an instant message (IM) meeting via a moderator. The next step includes sending an invitation to an invitee to join the meeting. The invitation includes the following forms of information chosen to be displayed by the moderator, (i) the participants' names, (ii) the length of time of the chat, (iii) the chat history, and (iiii) whether the meeting is in lock-down mode. The method concludes with displaying a menu having check boxes to the invitee. The check boxes allow the invitee to request additional information about the IM meeting.

Abstract: A scheduling system is provided including a server running a scheduling application and a plurality of clients running replicas of the scheduling application. A user interface is presented to a client for creating a repeating calendar event. The user interface includes a field to designate candidates for a role in the calendar event and the server includes means for rotating candidates for roles in accordance with the rules designated in the user interface. The user interface also includes means for defining attributes for a repeating calendar event, and an invitation to invitees of the calendar event includes details of the attributes.