Abstract: A virtual appliance update mechanism detects when an update to a corresponding workload is made, and makes automatic corresponding changes to the virtual appliance to reflect the update to the workload. In one specific implementation, the virtual appliance update mechanism determines that configuration units corresponding to the update to the workload are present in a knowledge base of configuration units, and automatically updates the virtual appliance with the configuration units corresponding to the update. In this manner a virtual appliance may be automatically updated based on an update to a workload, thereby assuring the virtual appliance reflects the current state of the workload.

Abstract: A virtual appliance construction tool allows a user to select using a user interface functional information for a virtual appliance to generate a functional model of the virtual appliance. A knowledge base of configuration units is then queried to determine which configuration units are needed to satisfy the functional model. Note the configuration units include not only functional information, but virtualization information as well. The configuration units are then packaged into a virtual appliance blueprint, which is used to generate a certified virtual appliance. In this manner the user need not have extensive knowledge or training regarding virtualization because the virtualization information is selected automatically based on which configuration units provide the function specified by the user.

Abstract: A virtual appliance construction tool allows a user to select using a user interface functional information for a virtual appliance to generate a functional model of the virtual appliance. A knowledge base of configuration units is then queried to determine which configuration units are needed to satisfy the functional model. Note the configuration units include not only functional information, but virtualization information as well. The configuration units are then packaged into a virtual appliance blueprint, which is used to generate a certified virtual appliance. In this manner the user need not have extensive knowledge or training regarding virtualization because the virtualization information is selected automatically based on which configuration units provide the function specified by the user.

Abstract: A virtual appliance update mechanism detects when an update to a corresponding workload is made, and makes automatic corresponding changes to the virtual appliance to reflect the update to the workload. In one specific implementation, the virtual appliance update mechanism determines that configuration units corresponding to the update to the workload are present in a knowledge base of configuration units, and automatically updates the virtual appliance with the configuration units corresponding to the update. In this manner a virtual appliance may be automatically updated based on an update to a workload, thereby assuring the virtual appliance reflects the current state of the workload.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product include an Automatic Testing System for creating a test framework for testing operating system components. The Automatic Testing System resides on a server and includes a master driver which assists in creating test cases and scenarios. The Automatic Testing System issues commands to distribute execution to one or more remote client machines in a cluster through, for instance, an external remote shell program. Results of the command are retrieved, as though it was invoked on the machine directly. The logic and parameters needed to run the test scenarios are stored in a database accessible on the web, and test results are compiled and stored in the database to be sent to any designated test customer.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A computer system, method and program are provided which offer a user a simple way to access alternatives to the “home page” web site on initiating operation of a browser program. In particular, a browser program in accordance with this invention offers a user the option of opening a session directly to the preselected “home page” web site or displaying a list of alternatives from which the user may select another web site as the site accessed as the browser program initiates. With other application programs, the alternatives may be such as providing a user with the option of selecting a particular document to open in a word processing program or a particular mail server for an email program.

Abstract: A software application has certain keyboard hot key combinations. If the application is active the pressing of a key is detected for the application. A number of keyboard keys are selected responsive to the key pressed. The selected keys correspond to hot key combinations that include the pressed key. The keyboard is signaled to differentiate the selected keys. Further, the application is operable to have a number of contexts, where certain ones of the hot key combinations are only valid for certain of the contexts. For example, where the application includes a word processing function one of the application contexts is a circumstance in which text is selected. Accordingly, the method includes detecting the context of the application and the selecting is responsive to that context. In this situation the selected keys correspond to hot key combinations that include the pressed key and that are valid for the detected context.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for printing web pages. A request to print a web page is received. The web page is printed and each web page associated with the web page on selected levels below the web page.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, sending an electronic message to two or more sets of recipients includes associating a first portion of an electronic message with a first set of one or more recipients. A second portion of the electronic message is associated with a second set of one or more recipients. The electronic message is sent to the recipients such that the first set of recipients receives the first portion of the electronic message and the second set of recipients receives the second portion of the electronic message.

Abstract: A software application has certain keyboard hot key combinations. If the application is active the pressing of a key is detected for the application. A number of keyboard keys are selected responsive to the key pressed. The selected keys correspond to hot key combinations that include the pressed key. The keyboard is signaled to differentiate the selected keys. Further, the application is operable to have a number of contexts, where certain ones of the hot key combinations are only valid for certain of the contexts. For example, where the application includes a word processing function one of the application contexts is a circumstance in which text is selected. Accordingly, the method includes detecting the context of the application and the selecting is responsive to that context. In this situation the selected keys correspond to hot key combinations that include the pressed key and that are valid for the detected context.

Abstract: A method in a user computing device for presenting dialogs in a set of computing devices including the user computing device. Responsive to a request to present a dialog, computing devices within the set of computing devices in a selected proximity of the user computing device are identified to form a set of proximate computing devices. The dialog is presented on only one of the user computer device and the set of proximate computing devices based on a policy.

Abstract: A visual indication on a cursor control device is triggered when the cursor is within a designated region on said display screen. Usually the user activated cursor control device is a computer control mouse, but the invention may operate effectively with joy sticks and trackballs. An effective implementation provides a light on the control mouse and the target region on the display screen for the cursor is an icon. The light on the mouse may be a variable light. It may be varied dependent upon the type of region on the screen which is the target region, e.g. one type of light if the target region is a display window and another type of light if the target region is an icon. The variation in the light may be light intensity or color.

Abstract: A keyboard in which one or more individual keys of the keyboard can be vibrated selectively. Thus, when a particular combination of keys or a single key needs to be activated, the user can identify the required key(s) by touch rather than by vision.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a user of a computer program to select an option whereby adjacent characters in written words are automatically distinguished from each other on the screen. Variations in font size, color, appearance (e.g., blinking) are some examples of the types of variations proposed, as well as combinations thereof. By allowing variation of the characters of a word on a written page, each individual character receives independent focus by the user rather than having all of the characters receiving a “group” focus. This assists users with visual disabilities, such as dyslexia, in reading and writing on a computer screen.

Abstract: A GUI is configured to automatically shift the position of mouse pointer, upon activation of a menu selection that invokes a cascading child menu, to a location on or adjacent to the invoked child menu. This minimizes the need to move the mouse pointer horizontally to access a cascading menu and thus reduces the inadvertent selection of an incorrect menu item.

Abstract: A GUI is configured to give a user a selectable option to choose a preferred amount of offset for cascading menus. The user can manually input an offset of any value and in a preferred embodiment the offset is selectable from 1-100%, and presets can be made available from a drop-down menu (e.g., in 10% increments, i.e., 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.) for selection. This allows the user to minimize the need to move the mouse pointer horizontally to access a cascading menu and thus reduces the inadvertent selection of an incorrect menu item.