Abstract: A schema-based service for Internet access to per-user services data, wherein access to data is based on each user's identity. The service includes a schema that defines rules and a structure for each user's data, and also includes methods that provide access to the data in a defined way. The services schema thus corresponds to a logical document containing the data for each user. The user manipulates (e.g., reads or writes) data in the logical document by data access requests through defined methods. In one implementation, the services schemas are arranged as XML documents, and the services provide methods that control access to the data based on the requesting user's identification, defined role and scope for that role. In this way, data can be accessed by its owner, and shared to an extent determined by the owner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for synchronizing records stored at a first computer with records stored at a second computer. If properties of the first record have been modified, a determination is made as to whether all of the modified properties may be ignored. If all of the properties are not ignorable, a determination is made as to whether the values of all non-ignorable properties are identical between the first and second records. If the values are identical, the modifications to the properties of the first record are discarded. If the values are not identical, a determination is made as to whether the modified properties are decidable. If the properties are decidable, a value is selected from either the value stored in the first record or the second record, and utilized as the selected value of the modified property for the first and second records.

Abstract: A schema-based service for Internet access to per-user services data, wherein access to data is based on each user's identity. The service includes a schema that defines rules and a structure for each user's data, and also includes methods that provide access to the data in a defined way. The services schema thus corresponds to a logical document containing the data for each user. The user manipulates (e.g., reads or writes) data in the logical document by data access requests through defined methods. In one implementation, the services schemas are arranged as XML documents, and the services provide methods that control access to the data based on the requesting user's identification, defined role and scope for that role. In this way, data can be accessed by its owner, and shared to an extent determined by the owner.

Abstract: A schema-based contacts service for Internet access to per-user contact data, wherein access to data is based on each user's identity. The contacts service includes a schema that defines rules and a structure for each user's data, and also includes methods that provide access to the data in a defined way. The contacts schema thus corresponds to a logical document containing the data for each user. The user manipulates (e.g., reads or writes) data in the logical document by data access requests through defined methods. In one implementation, the contacts schemas are arranged as XML documents, and the services provide methods that control access to the data based on the requesting user's identification, defined role and scope for that role. In this way, data can be accessed by its owner, and shared to an extent determined by the owner.

Abstract: A schema-based calendar service for Internet access to per-user contact data, wherein access to data is based on each user's identity. The calendar service includes a schema that defines rules and a structure for each user's data, and also includes methods that provide access to the data in a defined way. The calendar schema thus corresponds to a logical document containing the data for each user. The user manipulates (e.g., reads or writes) data in the logical document by data access requests through defined methods. In one implementation, the calendar schemas are arranged as XML documents, and the services provide methods that control access to the data based on the requesting user's identification, defined role and scope for that role. In this way, data can be accessed by its owner, and shared to an extent determined by the owner.