Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling attribute expression for an avatar within a virtual environment can include defining a rule that determines expression of an attribute of a first avatar conditioned upon an attribute of at least one other avatar within a virtual environment and, responsive to the first avatar contacting a second avatar within the virtual environment, determining an attribute of the second avatar. The method can include determining whether to express the attribute of the first avatar according to the attribute of the second avatar as determined by the rule and outputting a state of the first avatar specifying each attribute selected for expression.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for indicating a drag and drop target in a graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the invention includes indicating at least one target within the GUI onto which a selected object may be dropped, changing the indication of the at least one target based upon the selected object being dragged within the GUI, and providing an indication of a result of dropping the selected object on the at least one target, wherein indicating is aggregated for a plurality of targets and changing the indication includes deaggregating the indication.

Abstract: A method for indicating the presence of federated calendar entries in a currently viewed time period of a calendar and/or scheduling application, includes: receiving a user's selection for a date range in a calendar and/or scheduling application; determining whether there are one or more federated calendars associated with the user's calendar and/or scheduling application; wherein in the event there are one or more federated calendars associated with the user's calendar and/or scheduling application: determining whether there are one or more events from the one or more federated calendars in the selected date range; and wherein in the event there are federated calendar events in the selected date range: generating a calendar and/or scheduling page with one or more indicators for federated calendars with events in the selected date range.

Abstract: An application for use with a computer to allow a user to manage blocks of time. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI) to be initiated upon a first command of the user with respect to a first icon, which represents a period of time in accordance with a time resolution, or one or more of a set of second icons, which represent units of time that are each smaller than and within the period of time represented by the first icon. The GUI includes a title field, a duration field, and a plurality of qualifier fields. A controller updates the calendar of the user based on information inputted into the GUI upon a second command of the user with respect to the GUI, and a time manager manages the time block.

Abstract: An application for use with a computer to allow a user to manage blocks of time. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI) to be initiated upon a first command of the user with respect to a first icon, which represents a period of time in accordance with a time resolution, or one or more of a set of second icons, which represent units of time that are each smaller than and within the period of time represented by the first icon. The GUI includes a title field, a duration field, and a plurality of qualifier fields. A controller updates the calendar of the user based on information inputted into the GUI upon a second command of the user with respect to the GUI, and a time manager manages the time block.

Abstract: A method for providing information to generate distinguishing voices for text content attributable to different authors includes receiving a plurality of text sections each attributable to one of a plurality of authors; identifying which author authored each text section; assigning a unique voice tag id to each author; associating a distinct set of descriptive metadata with each unique voice tag id; and generating a set of speech information for each text section. The set of speech information generated for each text section is based upon the distinct set of descriptive metadata associated with the unique voice tag id assigned to the corresponding author of the text section. The set of speech information generated for each text section is configured to be used by a speech synthesizer to translate the text section into speech in a distinguishing computer-generated voice for the author of the text section.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for adding syndication feeds to calendar data exchange enabled programs, such as programs conforming to the iCalendar (iCal) standard. Default syndication feed links can be established by a publisher of iCalendar data. Subscribers of iCalendar data can replace default syndication feeds with feeds from other sources and/or add their own syndication feeds to a program that supports iCalendar data. Information obtained from the syndication feeds can be stored in a calendar entry indexed fashion, so that users accessing a iCalendar program can view information obtained from the syndication feeds as well as information related to an iCalendar subscription.

Abstract: A solution for providing an instant messaging (IM) space, such as for a chat session, is provided, which includes provisions for spinning off of chat threads. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of providing an IM space, the method comprising: providing a first graphical user interface (GUI) space for an IM conversation; obtaining a selected portion of the IM conversation represented on the first GUI; and creating a second GUI space for a second IM conversation based on the portion selected.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for organizing the contributions of each of a plurality of participants to an electronic communication. In one embodiment, the invention includes providing a list of participants to an electronic communication; accessing contents of the electronic communication; correlating at least one portion of the contents to each of the participants; and adding at least one link to the correlated contents to the list of participants, wherein the list of participants includes at least one participant whose identifying information has been predefined.

Abstract: A method and a system for managing communications over a network. The method can include receiving from a first user at least one user identifier associated with a second user and receiving at least one session identifier. The session identifier can correlate to a chat session on the network. Responsive to the second user posting a chat in the chat session while the first user is not currently participating in the chat session, a user notification can be generated to alert the first user that the second user has posted the chat, and to identify the chat session. The user notification can be presented to the first user via a client communicatively linked to the network.