Abstract: Architecture that enables the visualization of history data of a prior content (or document) navigation session in a user interface (UI), the session presented as a structure of nodes and branches between the nodes that represent the paths navigated by the user during the session. The user can then choose to go back to a previous state of the session via the structure, and then take another route. This capability enables the user to more effectively revisit a decision-making process at least with respect to retracing navigation over numerous documents. The history data of a prior navigation session is presented to the user as a graphical view structured as a branching visualization of the nodes and node branches. The user can interact with the graphical view to move forward and backward in the time span of the session and retrieve the document as any given point in the previous session.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between session in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, restart certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.

Abstract: A meeting location availability system determines the meeting locations that are available for use during a specified meeting time and suggests some or all of the available meeting locations as possible locations for conducting a meeting at the specified meeting time. The meeting location availability system maintains meeting location information, such as the preferred meeting locations, for each user. The meeting location availability system may then determine the meeting locations that are available for a meeting between meeting attendees at a specified meeting time by identifying the meeting locations for all of the meeting attendees and, from these meeting locations, identifying the meeting locations that are available for use during the specified meeting time. The meeting location availability system may then suggest some or all of the identified available meeting locations as possible locations for conducting the meeting at the specified meeting time.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating availability of a contact is provided. The presence system displays to the user an indication of the presence state in association with the contact. The presence system provides an indication of the availability associated with the presence state of the contact when the user indicates to view such information. When the contact has high availability, the presence system displays an increasing animation. When the contact has low availability, the presence system displays a decreasing animation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring user profiles between computing devices using portable storage devices is disclosed. A portable storage device (PSD) is connected to a computing device, the computing device reads user profile data from the PSD and configures itself according to that data. If the user profile data is changed on the computing device, those changes are synchronized on the PSD.

Abstract: A meeting location availability system determines the meeting locations that are available for use during a specified meeting time and suggests some or all of the available meeting locations as possible locations for conducting a meeting at the specified meeting time. The meeting location availability system maintains meeting location information, such as the preferred meeting locations, for each user. The meeting location availability system may then determine the meeting locations that are available for a meeting between meeting attendees at a specified meeting time by identifying the meeting locations for all of the meeting attendees and, from these meeting locations, identifying the meeting locations that are available for use during the specified meeting time. The meeting location availability system may then suggest some or all of the identified available meeting locations as possible locations for conducting the meeting at the specified meeting time.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking recent real-time conversation participants, or contacts, of a user is provided. The real-time communication system receives an indication of a conversation between a user and a conversation participant and adds the conversation participant to a list of the user's recent contacts. The real-time communication system displays the list of recent contacts to the user to select from when the user initiates a real-time conversation.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating availability of a contact is provided. The presence system displays to the user an indication of the presence state in association with the contact. The presence system provides an indication of the availability associated with the presence state of the contact when the user indicates to view such information. When the contact has high availability, the presence system displays an increasing animation. When the contact has low availability, the presence system displays a decreasing animation.

Abstract: A method and system for providing extended presence information defined by third parties and for detecting when the extended information has changed significantly is provided. An extensible presence service defines a presence document for a publishing user having a section reserved for extended information provided by one or more third parties and publishes the presence document to a presence server. Subscribing users send subscription requests to the presence server to receive updates when the presence document for the publishing user changes. When the extended information provided by the third party is updated, the third party updates the extended information and indicates whether the change to the extended information is significant. Next, the presence server sends the updated presence document containing the updated extended information to subscribed users.

Abstract: Generally described, a method is provided for use in a computer system that allows users to navigate quickly through multiple applications. In accordance with the method, when the computer receives a signal from the user, it extracts a preview representing a screen shot for each window open within the operating system. It then displays the preview, a description, and an icon for the next window in the activation hierarchy and a description and an icon for the remaining open windows. In other embodiments, the previews for all open windows with corresponding descriptions and icons are displayed utilizing several different arrangements. The computer then receives a designation from the user of the next window he or she wants to make active and brings to the foreground the top level window corresponding to the selection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between sessions in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, re-start certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.

Abstract: Generally described, a method is provided for use in a computer system that allows users to navigate quickly through multiple applications. In accordance with the method, when the computer receives a signal from the user, it extracts a preview representing a screen shot for each window open within the operating system. It then displays the preview, a description, and an icon for the next window in the activation hierarchy and a description and an icon for the remaining open windows. In other embodiments, the previews for all open windows with corresponding descriptions and icons are displayed utilizing several different arrangements. The computer then receives a designation from the user of the next window he or she wants to make active and brings to the foreground the top level window corresponding to the selection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between sessions in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, re-start certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.