Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying and confirming the status of a plurality of deferred requests for processing by a system made by an end user of that system. Each request made by an end user is monitored and an indication of each deferred request is stored in a deferred status request list which acts as an electronic "out basket." The deferred status request list includes an indication of the date and time of each request as well as an indication of the type of request. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention an indication of the status of each deferred request is periodically generated and stored within the deferred status request list so that the end user may determine whether or not the request is pending, running, or completed. The end user may also selectively view the deferred status request list and alter the status of a selected request by deleting it, placing it in a hold status, or viewing the results of that request.

Abstract: A data processing system for notifying the user of a terminal attached to a host processor of the occurrence of an asynchronous event affecting the user. The notification system determines whether or not the user is in communication with the host processor and then generates and displays an icon, or other selectable graphic representation of the asynchronous event at the user's terminal. Selection of the graphic representation by the user will display additional details of the asynchronous event to the user at his or her terminal. In one embodiment of the present invention, an indication of the asynchronous event is stored at the host processor if the user is not in communication with the host processor and displayed to the user after communication is initiated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a user dependent status indication for shared electronic mail objects within a distributed computing system. In certain electronic mail systems multiple users are permitted to share access to selected electronic mail objects in a so-called "affinity" relationship whereby selected end users are permitted to access identical address space within a computer. Within such systems it is difficult to ascertain a particular status of a selected electronic mail object with certainty due to the face that multiple users may have access to that electronic mail object. In accordance with the method of the present invention an attribute list is associated with each electronic mail object which may contain multiple sets of attributes, each set associated with a group of recipients, a subgroup of recipients or an individual end user having access to that electronic mail object.

Abstract: A method for notifying the user of a terminal attached to a host processor of the occurrence of an asynchronous event affecting the user. The notification method determines whether or not the user is in communication with the host processor and then generates and displays an icon, or other selectable graphic representation of the asynchronous event at the user's terminal. Selection of the graphic representation by the user will display additional details of the asynchronous event to the user at his or her terminal. In one embodiment of the present invention, an indication of the asynchronous event is stored at the host processor if the user is not in communication with the host processor and displayed to the user after communication is initiated.