Abstract: A content sharing and collaborative computing environment is provided. In an illustrative implementation, the content sharing and collaboration environment comprises a computing environment capable of cooperating with at least one computing application operating on a cooperating computing environment, and a content sharing computing application residing on the computing environment alone to provide access to one or more cooperating computing environments to content for sharing.

Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a method of notifying a communications device in a network includes sending an http push request from a communications device through a network to a computing device, wherein the http push request having a first lifespan. The method also includes receiving a timeout error from the network and sending a second http push request from the communications device through the network to the computing device. The second http push request is of a second lifespan, which is less than the first lifespan.

Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a method of notifying a communications device in a network includes sending an http push request from a communications device through a network to a computing device, wherein the http push request having a first lifespan. The method also includes receiving a timeout error from the network and sending a second http push request from the communications device through the network to the computing device. The second http push request is of a second lifespan, which is less than the first lifespan.

Abstract: An automated method, system, and computer program for troubleshooting the inability of programs installed upon two computers interconnected by wired or wireless linkages to share or manipulate sharable information includes the following steps: On a first computer, tests are performed to see if hardware or software elements on that computer and essential to sharing or manipulating sharable information is properly installed or configured and also to see if information can actually be sent between the two computers; then, if possible, testing is initiated or performed to see if hardware or software elements on the second computer essential to sharing or manipulating sharable information are also properly installed or configured; and then the results of this testing is reported.

Abstract: A method and system gather information to facilitate the remote support of devices installed on a computer. For example, an exemplary method comprises first installing an information harvester and a formatter onto the computer. These are then used to identify and test the devices and to collect information about the devices and the testing. Then at least some of the collected information is formatted for display to the user and presentation to a support specialist. The formatted information is then displayed as part of a user display also having provision whereby a user may enter additional comments about device problems into the user display. If a user so chooses, the user comments may be collected, then the combined formatted collected information and the collected user comments are sent to a support specialist by means of a network transport mechanism such as e-mail, TCP, or the like.

Abstract: An integrated hardware and software monitoring system for a remote computer includes an event monitoring module loaded on the remote computer. The event monitoring module includes a hardware event detector that detects hardware events on the remote computer that may need attention, and a software service detector that detects status of software running on the remote computer to determine if any of the software has failed or is not operating properly, and to output a software event as a result thereof. The monitoring system also includes a data transmission system for performing a data transmission so as to notify a support specialist over a network connection of a hardware event or software event detected by the event monitoring module. The monitoring system further includes a graphical user interface provided on a display of the remote computer for allowing a user of the remote computer to make selections as to which software services and hardware events are to be detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing and repairing hardware and software problems relating to computer peripheral devices and their software drivers. The method and apparatus enumerate the devices, identify devices having errors, detect replacement software drivers and then un-install possibly defective software drivers so that they may be replaced automatically by the operating system, run hardware tests and attempt repairs on hardware devices.

Abstract: An automated method, system, and computer program for troubleshooting the inability of programs installed upon two computers interconnected by wired or wireless linkages to share or manipulate sharable information includes the following steps: On a first computer, tests are performed to see if hardware or software elements on that computer and essential to sharing or manipulating sharable information is properly installed or configured and also to see if information can actually be sent between the two computers; then, if possible, testing is initiated or performed to see if hardware or software elements on the second computer essential to sharing or manipulating sharable information are also properly installed or configured; and then the results of this testing is reported.

Abstract: A method and system gather information to facilitate the remote support of devices installed on a computer. For example, an exemplary method comprises first installing an information harvester and a formatter onto the computer. These are then used to identify and test the devices and to collect information about the devices and the testing. Then at least some of the collected information is formatted for display to the user and presentation to a support specialist. The formatted information is then displayed as part of a user display also having provision whereby a user may enter additional comments about device problems into the user display. If a user so chooses, the user comments may be collected, then the combined formatted collected information and the collected user comments are sent to a support specialist by means of a network transport mechanism such as e-mail, TCP, or the like.

Abstract: An integrated hardware and software monitoring system for a remote computer includes an event monitoring module loaded on the remote computer. The event monitoring module includes a hardware event detector that detects hardware events on the remote computer that may need attention, and a software service detector that detects status of software running on the remote computer to determine if any of the software has failed or is not operating properly, and to output a software event as a result thereof. The monitoring system also includes a data transmission system for performing a data transmission so as to notify a support specialist over a network connection of a hardware event or software event detected by the event monitoring module. The monitoring system further includes a graphical user interface provided on a display of the remote computer for allowing a user of the remote computer to make selections as to which software services and hardware events are to be detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing and repairing hardware and software problems relating to computer peripheral devices and their software drivers. The method and apparatus enumerate the devices, identify devices having errors, detect replacement software drivers and then un-install possibly defective software drivers so that they may be replaced automatically by the operating system, run hardware tests and attempt repairs on hardware devices.