Abstract: A method can include determining metadata for a file responsive to initiating an operation on the file stored within a client system and determining a storage location within a file repository of a master version of the file from the metadata. The method also can include determining, from the storage location, whether the master version of the file is more recent than the file stored within the client system using a processor of the client system.

Abstract: In a method for notifying a participant of an online conference of when a portion of content will be presented during the online conference, a computer receives at least one data item identifying the portion of content. The computer determines an estimate of a time at which the portion of content will be presented and the level of confidence in the accuracy of the estimate. The computer transmits a user notification including the estimate of the time at which the portion of content will be presented and the level of confidence in the accuracy of the estimate.

Abstract: Writing a collaborative email document with hierarchical authorities including establishing a collaborative email document on an administrator's computer, identifying one or more signatories for the document, identifying one or more collaborators who are authorized to view and edit the document, providing to the collaborators copies of the document for viewing and editing, where the collaborators' copies reside on collaborators' computers, updating the copies of the document on collaborators' computers with revisions from the collaborators, and sending the collaborative email document from the administrator's computer to addressees when the document bears valid digital signatures from all signatories.

Abstract: Writing a collaborative email document with hierarchical authorities including establishing a collaborative email document on an administrator's computer, identifying one or more signatories for the document, identifying one or more collaborators who are authorized to view and edit the document, providing to the collaborators copies of the document for viewing and editing, where the collaborators' copies reside on collaborators' computers, updating the copies of the document on collaborators' computers with revisions from the collaborators, and sending the collaborative email document from the administrator's computer to addressees when the document bears valid digital signatures from all signatories.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for dynamic map template discovery and map creation may include determining a frequency of use of a data object in a database and discovering a dynamic map template corresponding to the data object based on the frequency of use of the data object. The method may also include creating a dynamic map from the dynamic map template in response to discovering the dynamic map template.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for synchronizing a media presentation. A locally stored electronic copy of the media presentation is displayed on a presenter's presentation device and a locally stored copy of the media presentation is displayed on each of one or more participants' presentation devices. The presenter's presentation device and each participant's presentation device is operable to communicate with each other through a communications network. In response to the presenter performing an action on the electronic copy of the media presentation on the presenter's presentation device during the media presentation, data pertaining to the action is transmitted through the communications network to each participant's presentation device. The appearance of the media presentation on each participant's presentation device is changed in accordance with the data transmitted from the presenter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a notification to a user about the progress of a task running on a digital processing device. A user input identifying a progress indicator for the task running on the digital processing device is received. A user input selecting a threshold value is received. The threshold value indicates a point on the progress indicator at which the user is to be notified about the progress of the task. A notification is provided to the user when the threshold value is reached.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for keeping confidential records pertaining to selected communications made with a communication device. A user input is received designating one or more contacts with whom communications made with the communication device are to remain confidential. Information about the designated one or more contacts is transmitted to a server which stores records pertaining to communications made with the communication device. A statement is generated for the communications made with the communication device based on information stored on the server. Records pertaining to communications that are to remain confidential are displayed as an alias on the statement.

Abstract: A system for managing code displacement may include a manager and an application operable on a server. The application may include a plurality of modules each module for performing a different operation. The system may also include priority information associated with each module to permit the manager to deactivate selected ones of the modules based on the priority information to improve performance of the application.

Abstract: A secondary media stream is displayed within a primary media stream. In response to receiving a first user selection of two media streams for simultaneous viewing on a display device, a second user selection of a primary media stream and a secondary media stream from the two media streams selected for simultaneous viewing is received. A set of inset definitions is extracted from metadata in the secondary media stream. A third user selection of an inset definition from the set of inset definitions is received. A user input is received to display the primary media stream to accommodate a size of the inset definition selected. The primary media stream is displayed to create an inset area for displaying the secondary media stream within the primary media stream based on the user input. The secondary media stream is displayed within the inset area of the displayed primary media stream for user viewing.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for dynamic map template discovery and map creation may include determining a frequency of use of a data object in a database and discovering a dynamic map template corresponding to the data object based on the frequency of use of the data object. The method may also include creating a dynamic map from the dynamic map template in response to discovering the dynamic map template.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which a caching appliance receives a data packet over a network connection utilizing a network protocol. The caching appliance selects a storage area based upon the network protocol and stores the data packet in the selected storage area. In one embodiment, the caching appliance identifies a service level that corresponds to the network protocol and selects the storage area based upon the identified service level.

Abstract: Potential ghost bidding and non-serious bidding in an automated auction is detected and alerted to a user by retrieving by a computer one or more historical automated auction records related to an offering party in a current automated auction; detecting by a computer the retrieved records that a same or similar item is being offered in the current automated auction that has been offered in a previous automated auction; responsive to the detecting, increasing a ghost bidding likelihood parameter by a computer; determining by a computer that a bidder in the current automated auction also bid in one or more of the historical automated auctions; responsive to the determining, increasing by a computer the ghost bidding likelihood parameter; and alerting a user of the current automated auction of the ghost bidding likelihood parameter for each determined bidder.

Abstract: In a method for notifying a participant of an online conference of when a portion of content will be presented during the online conference, a computer receives at least one data item identifying the portion of content. The computer determines an estimate of a time at which the portion of content will be presented and the level of confidence in the accuracy of the estimate. The computer transmits a user notification including the estimate of the time at which the portion of content will be presented and the level of confidence in the accuracy of the estimate.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for placing data in shards on a storage device may include determining placement of a data set in one of a plurality of shards on the storage device. Each one of the shards may include a different at least one performance feature. Each different at least one performance feature may correspond to a different at least one predetermined characteristic associated with a particular set of data. The data set is cached in the one of the plurality of shards on the storage device that includes the at least one performance feature corresponding to the at least one predetermined characteristic associated with the data set being cached.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for placing data in shards on a storage device may include determining placement of a data set in one of a plurality of shards on the storage device. Each one of the shards may include a different at least one performance feature. Each different at least one performance feature may correspond to a different at least one predetermined characteristic associated with a particular set of data. The data set is cached in the one of the plurality of shards on the storage device that includes the at least one performance feature corresponding to the at least one predetermined characteristic associated with the data set being cached.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for managing digital video recorder storage for one or more users. Each user in the multi-user environment is assigned an amount of program storage in the digital video recorder. Responsive to receiving a request to record a new program from a user in the multi-user environment, an associated amount of program storage assigned to the use is determined. Responsive to a determination that addition of the new program will not exceed the associated amount of program storage assigned to the user, the new program is recorded to the program storage.

Abstract: In a method for notifying a participant of an online conference of when a portion of content will be presented during the online conference, a computer receives at least one data item identifying the portion of content. The computer determines an estimate of a time at which the portion of content will be presented and the level of confidence in the accuracy of the estimate. The computer transmits a user notification including the estimate of the time at which the portion of content will be presented and the level of confidence in the accuracy of the estimate.

Abstract: A method, program product and system are provided for optimizing recording requests to minimize electricity usage for a network of DVRs. The disclosed methodology analyzes upcoming recording requests against a schedule guide including both local and networked DVRs. Overlaps in requested recordings and broadcasts during same or close proximity time slots are identified. Requested recordings are then rescheduled to optimally overlap recording times based upon the number of tuners in each DVR system. Changes in recording schedules are then communicated to other interconnected DVRs in a network.

Abstract: Vigilance monitoring and a navigation aid are provided to a user in an electronic auction by receiving by a computer a command to watch similar items to a first item in an online or electronic auction; extracting by a computer from the command, from the auction, or from both the command and the auction one or more item descriptive parameters; using by a computer the extracted parameters to query one or more online or electronic sales sources for similar items matching the extracted parameters, the sales sources being electronic sources other than the auction; receiving by a computer at least one price for an available similar item from at least one sales source; and causing prompting by a computer a user of the auction with the similar item price and sales source.