Abstract: A common consolidation management application provides an interface to the multiple different system management software applications and at least one user input console. An adapter in each of the system management software applications supports communication with the consolidation application. A system administrator issues requests to different system management software applications using a common interface provided by the consolidation application. The consolidation application can be installed over an existing complex of computer systems managed by different management applications, without modifying the managed systems or replacing the management applications.

Abstract: A device, which is encoded with ordered steps, is connected to a network. In an embodiment, each of the steps includes a type, a link that points at a respective tool, and a completion condition. The steps are sent from the device to an address in the network. A selection of one of the links is received from a user who is associated with the type. In response, the user interface for the tool that is pointed at by the link is sent to the user. The user interface includes tool commands. In response to receiving a tool command from the user, the tool command is performed, and if the tool command causes the completion condition for its step to be met, a completion command for the step is sent to the address in the network. In this way, setup activities are coordinated for configuring a device in a network.

Abstract: A system configuration manager provides a graphical user interface that allows a system administrator to easily administer configuration settings for different computer systems and platforms on a computer network. The system configuration manager allows identifying one system configuration or a settings profile as a “model system”. Once the model system is defined, other computer systems may be compared to the model system. Differences between the selected computer systems and the model system are then displayed, and the system configuration manager may be used to update the selected computer systems with configuration settings specified in the model system. Cross-platform support is provided by a configuration mapping mechanism that maps configuration information from one platform to corresponding configuration information for another platform.

Abstract: An interactive presentation environment for eMeetings or the like that provides participants with more control over what they see and hear. One embodiment of the interactive presentation environment comprises a meeting recorder adapted to create a recording of a live meeting and a navigation control for selecting a portion of the recording to view during the live meeting. Some embodiment may further comprise a timeline control containing a first graphical indicator associated with a live position and a second graphical indicator associated with a current position, a bookmark control adapted to mark a portion of the recording for archiving, and a display operatively connected to the meeting recorder and the navigation control.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, simulate allocation of a simulated resource to simulated partitions in a simulated logically-partitioned computer and determine whether the allocation conflicts. The simulation may include summing amounts of the simulated resource for the simulated partition in an order, where the order of the simulated partitions is received via a user interface. In various embodiments, the allocation may conflict if the allocation exceeds the capacity of the simulated logically-partitioned computer or if the simulated resource is restricted to exclusive allocation. The result of the simulation, including whether the allocation conflicts, is presented via the user interface. In various embodiments, the simulated resource may be memory, an I/O controller, or a storage device.

Abstract: A collaboration system is provided in combination with a system administration monitoring system. The monitoring software for the system may recognize an error or other event in a component that is being monitored. The monitoring software then sends a message to all administrators that may be associated with the error or event. When an administrator receives an alert, the administrator may choose to join a collaborative resolution session. When a plurality of administrators joins a collaborative resolution session, each administrator is presented with a user interface at his or her console. The user interface may present one or more shared system administration elements, such as system administration portals, and one or more collaboration elements, such as instant messaging elements or the like. Participating administrators may then communicate using the collaboration elements to attempt to resolve an error or other event. Users may share additional system administration elements.

Abstract: A system configuration manager provides a graphical user interface that allows a system administrator to easily administer configuration settings for different computer systems and platforms on a computer network. The system configuration manager of the present invention allows identifying one system configuration or a settings profile as a “model system”. Once the model system is defined, other computer systems may be compared to the model system. Differences between the selected computer systems and the model system are then displayed, and the system configuration manager may be used to update the selected computer systems with configuration settings specified in the model system. Cross-platform support is provided by a configuration mapping mechanism that maps configuration information from one platform to corresponding configuration information for another platform.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product implement a shadow object when migrating or relocating a resource from one location to a new location. A user selected task on a resource is identified and analyzed to determine whether the task changes a location of the resource. When determined that the task changes a location of the resource, then a shadow object is created. Destination information is captured and stored into the shadow object. A future shadow object is created on a new host to inform administrators that a resource is to be relocated, or virtual server is to be migrated, at a scheduled time.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product implement dynamic authority for a user to perform tasks on a resource. A user selected task on a resource is identified and analyzed to determine whether the task changes a state of the resource. When determined that the task changes a state of the resource, then a relationship of the resource to related resources is analyzed. Access to tasks on the resource is dynamically determined for the user based upon the identified relationship of the resource to related resources. Based on the analysis performed, access is denied or a summary of side effects with confirmation is presented.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product implement dynamic customization of environment for enhanced network meeting experience. Users connect to a network meeting and environment data are submitted for the users to a computer system for a presenter. A primary recipient is selected by the presenter. A view is rendered of display for at least one recipient for viewing by the presenter. An optimization setting option is selected by the presenter and predefined presentation settings are altered for the network meeting. A selected secondary recipient is selectively suspended by the presenter, for example, based upon a slow connection speed for a selected recipient, or when a maximum number of secondary recipients is reached.

Abstract: An instant messaging system having logic for managing IM messages and an intelligent queuing mechanism. One aspect of the present invention is a method for selectively filtering instant messages, comprising receiving an instant message and analyzing the instant message to generate a priority score. Another aspect of the present invention is a graphical user interface for an instant messaging application, comprising at least one visible conversation pane for displaying relatively higher priority conversations, and at least one minimized conversation pane representing relatively lower priority conversations to the at least one minimized conversation panel.

Abstract: A syntax checker that simultaneously provides real-time feedback to the user regarding more than one syntactic requirement is disclosed. The syntax checker can be configured by the user to provide feedback about certain rules or rule sets and to omit feedback for other rules or rule sets. Also disclosed is a password validation mechanism that checks a submitted password string against the requirements of more than one password-protected resource and provides visual feedback to the user regarding success or failure. This visual feedback is provided using three different visual cues.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing professional use of instant messaging. A flow of an IM conversation is displayed. Responsive to identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request, a user entered response and a user selected previous request are sent. Responsive to a user selection, a new topic is displayed in a new view and a new IM conversation is started. When an IM conversation is completed or a window is closed for the IM conversation; the IM conversation is automatically saved. Responsive to a user selection, another user is added to the IM conversation and a window including the flow of the IM conversation is displayed to the added user. An object can be linked to an IM conversation and the IM conversation is automatically saved with the selected object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment detect that a connection is lost while a call is in progress, prompt for a message in response to the detection, and save the message until the connection is available. After the connection is available, the message is automatically sent to the party to the call. In this way, information that was cut off when the connection was lost can be completed in an convenient manner. In another embodiment, the user may enter a message or messages for a designated recipient or recipients at any time, and the message(s) is saved and automatically sent when the connection becomes available.

Abstract: A system configuration manager provides a graphical user interface that allows a system administrator to easily administer configuration settings for different computer systems and platforms on a computer network. The system configuration manager of the present invention allows identifying one system configuration or a settings profile as a “model system”. Once the model system is defined, other computer systems may be compared to the model system. Differences between the selected computer systems and the model system are then displayed, and the system configuration manager may be used to update the selected computer systems with configuration settings specified in the model system. Cross-platform support is provided by a configuration mapping mechanism that maps configuration information from one platform to corresponding configuration information for another platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing software between computers are disclosed. A software fix manager compares a preferred software inventory with a software inventory from a computer that is to be synchronized and, from this comparison, creates a number of software product synchronizations. An update manager uses the software fix list to apply software product synchronizations to the computer. Preferably, the computer can be brought to the same fix level or product level, if desired, as the preferred software inventory through this process. The software fix manager can place synchronizations in a fix list. There can be multiple software product synchronizations per software product, and the synchronizations can be applied to a computer by removing a software product fix or installing a product software fix. The current invention may also be applied to software products themselves, by installing or removing software products.

Abstract: An occupancy alarm system can be integrated into a motor vehicle or can be portable. The occupancy alarm system may be programmed to communicate with a program within a logic unit of the on-board computer within the vehicle or a cellular telephone or other wireless logic device so that if the driver's door is open and the engine is turned off but there still is an occupant in the motor vehicle, an alarm is immediately triggered. The GPS coordinates of the motor vehicle or the cellular telephone or other wireless device may be communicated to a remote location service or a local emergency center as part of the alarm. The occupancy sensor may be mounted on the occupant or on the restraint system, and may interact with an ambient temperature sensor and an alarm, both of which may be integrated into a motor vehicle, to indicate that a dangerous condition exists for an occupant within the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing professional use of instant messaging. A flow of an IM conversation is displayed. Responsive to identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request, a user entered response and a user selected previous request are sent. Responsive to a user selection, a new topic is displayed in a new view and a new IM conversation is started. When an IM conversation is completed or a window is closed for the IM conversation; the IM conversation is automatically saved. Responsive to a user selection, another user is added to the IM conversation and a window including the flow of the IM conversation is displayed to the added user. An object can be linked to an IM conversation and the IM conversation is automatically saved with the selected object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing software between computers are disclosed. A software fix manager compares a preferred software inventory with a software inventory from a computer that is to be synchronized and, from this comparison, creates a number of software product synchronizations. An update manager uses the software fix list to apply software product synchronizations to the computer. Preferably, the computer can be brought to the same fix level or product level, if desired, as the preferred software inventory through this process.

Abstract: An occupancy alarm system can be integrated into a motor vehicle or can be portable. The occupancy alarm system may be programmed to communicate with a program within a logic unit of the on-board computer within the vehicle or a cellular telephone or other wireless logic device so that if the driver's door is open and the engine is turned off but there still is an occupant in the motor vehicle, an alarm is immediately triggered. The GPS coordinates of the motor vehicle or the cellular telephone or other wireless device may be communicated to a remote location service or a local emergency center as part of the alarm. The occupancy sensor may be mounted on the occupant or on the restraint system, and may interact with an ambient temperature sensor and an alarm, both of which may be integrated into a motor vehicle, to indicate that a dangerous condition exists for an occupant within the motor vehicle.