Abstract: A method and system for managing multiple user locks and deletion requests on a digital video recorder (DVR) is disclosed. Files associated with the DVR can be protected from deletion by allowing users to lock a recorded file utilizing a number of locking strategies. The recorded file can also be locked by multiple users and the recording can be deleted when the users specifically remove the lock. A simpler interface for each user can be provided to prevent other users from deleting recorded files, which have not yet been viewed. Such an approach allows for an administrative override to prevent users from locking recordings and never unlocking in order to prevent the DVR exhausting disk space.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium for early notification of a pending deletion event by a digital playback device. Programs associated with the digital playback device can be scheduled for deletion in advance by a digital playback device interface manually and/or automatically. A deletion event can be notified through a remote delivery by analyzing scheduled recordings and hard drive space if the digital playback device recognizes a recording is close to the deletion event. The notification of the deletion event can be enabled by configuring a number of notification options maintained for each user profile by the digital playback device at a predefined time. The deletion event can be modified through the remote means, which allows a user to send information back to the digital playback device after a deletion notification is received. The deleted files can be moved to a deleted programs folder from which the program can be recovered and the recording can be irrevocably removed after a time period.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for autonomously rescheduling a future meeting in response to receiving a meeting cancellation notice of a previously scheduled meeting. A meeting rescheduling logic (MRL) of a server receives a cancellation of a scheduled meeting of an identified contact. The MRL may select a highest priority meeting from a plurality of meetings that has been flagged with an auto-move-up status. The MRL determines if all attendees of the selected meeting are available to attend the meeting at the open time slot of the identified contact's calendar. Upon determining that all attendees of the selected meeting are available at the open time slot, the MRL reschedules the selected meeting at the open time slot, and notifies all attendees. Additionally, the MRL may cancel a lower priority meeting of the attendees to accommodate moving a higher priority meeting into the open time slot.

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: 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 method for providing a transient electronic dictionary that travels with an original electronic document is provided. An author of an electronic document may generate a transient electronic dictionary that is linked with the original electronic document such that the transient electronic dictionary is transmitted along with the original electronic document when the original electronic document is distributed. At a recipient computer system, when the original electronic document is accessed, the associated transient electronic dictionary is loaded by the word processing application. The loaded transient electronic dictionary is used to expand the permanent electronic dictionary present in the recipient computer system temporarily. The word processing application may then resolve words in the original electronic document using the loaded transient electronic dictionary entries.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for distributing a file by email from a mobile device. An email is composed on the mobile device. A user selection is received of a file to be attached to the email. The selection is made from an off-line snapshot of a remote file system in which the file is located. A link corresponding to the location of the file in the remote file system is embedded into the email. The email with the link is placed in a queue on the mobile device. The email with the file corresponding to the link is sent in response to the remote file system becoming available to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium with executable code for connecting an outgoing phone call to a user destination device based on the time the phone call is initiated. A user of a user destination device transmits a policy information packet containing contact numbers of a primary user destination device and all secondary user destination devices that the user may be reached at during specific times of the day to a call originating device. In response to the user of a call originating device initiating a request to connect a phone call to the user destination device, the call originating device autonomously selects the correct recipient user destination device by interpreting the policy information packet. The call originating device then connects the phone call to the primary user destination device or to a secondary user destination device depending on the current time of day.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for determining route alternatives from a starting point to an ending destination for a vehicle, based at least in part on radio signal strength and availability. An input defining a starting point and an ending destination is received. A user input of a radio station preference is received. One or more route alternatives between the starting point and the ending destination are determined based on global positioning system data, the received radio station preference, and information on radio signal strength and availability.

Abstract: A networked system includes multiple information handling systems (IHSs) that store personal user information such as name and contact information. The networked system automatically updates personal user information when one IHS communicates with another IHS. A first IHS stores personal user information associated with a first IHS user. A second IHS also stores the first user's personal information. The first IHS sends a first user information update to the second IHS if the first IHS determines that the first user information on the second IHS is not current. A digital certificate accompanies the update to indicate the authenticity of the information update to the second IHS.

Abstract: A method for deploying software includes providing a Web site on a server coupled to a network for presenting a user with an interface. The server has an array of post-load images stored thereon for combinations of the software and hardware that the user may select. The server receives a user selection of software applications for deploying to a target computer system and of hardware for the target system and responsively determines what drivers correspond to the indicated hardware. The server then selects a certain one of the post-load images having the software applications that have been selected by the user and has the drivers for the hardware that have been selected by the user.

Abstract: Online activity between a client computer and an online store is electronically monitored to determine that an item referenced in the online activity is a publication, such as a book or periodical. In response, an electronic library database is automatically queried to determine whether a physical or electronic copy of the publication is available from the library. The availability of the publication is communicated to a user of the client computer and the user is given an option to borrow the publication.

Abstract: Illustrated embodiments provide a computer implemented method, an apparatus and a computer program product in an order by proxy service for managing shipments. In one illustrative embodiment, the computer implemented method identifying a set of initial orders received at the proxy service and responsive to identifying the set of initial orders at the proxy service, identifying a set of delivery preferences associated with each order in the set of initial orders to form a set of identified delivery preferences. The computer implemented method further aggregates the set of initial orders based on the set of identified delivery preferences to produce an aggregated order, and releasing the aggregated order for shipping based on predetermined criteria to create a released order.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing files in a data processing system. An attribute for a file is specified as having a special designation. The file with the attribute having the special designation is processed, by the operating system, in a different manner from other files when performing operations, such as, for example, copying the file to a removable media, printing the file, or sending the file over a network.

Abstract: A method and service for enabling a smallest unit of variable data within a data space of a user application to be dynamically updated using an external source. The application GUI is enhanced with a dynamic update utility (DUU) that enables the data unit to be selected and linked to the broker topic. A list of available topics is presented for selection by the user, and the data unit automatically linked to the selected broker topic without requiring user knowledge of the specific linking parameters of the external source. A JMS client application is provided containing a message listener and an application writing protocol. A subscriber is defined for the data unit and subscribes to the particular event broker topic hosted at a JMS provider. When the event broker receives a publication from the data publication source, a copy of the published data is forwarded to the message listener associated with the subscriber, and the message listener provides the data to the application writing protocol.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for detecting port assignment conflicts in a network data processing system is provided. Additionally, a mechanism for automatically resolving port assignment conflicts in response to detecting such conflicts is provided. A first data processing system receives configuration data of a second data processing system in the network. The configuration data describes port assignments maintained by the second data processing system. The first data processing system evaluates the configuration data for conflicts in the port assignments. Reconfigured port assignments for the second data processing system are then generated, and a directive is issued to the second data processing system to reconfigure the port assignments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for facilitating in-transit meetings between users. Transit information is received for several users. The transit information for at least some users is compared. If an opportunity for an in-transit meeting between at least two users is detected when comparing the transit information, the at least two users are notified about the opportunity for the in-transit meeting.

Abstract: Requiring a user of a recipient's email account or application to enter a high security level authentication (e.g., password) in order to be able to view the contents or the existence of a high security level email. A sender of an email has the ability to identify, at the time of sending, a sent email as having a normal level of security or a high level of security. If the user of the recipient's email account does not have the correct high security level authentication (e.g., password), then the user will only be able to view emails identified as normal security level emails. In addition, a properly authenticated user of the recipient's email account will be able to designate any email as being a high security level email or a normal security level email.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing files in a data processing system. An attribute for a file is specified as having a special designation. The file with the attribute having the special designation is processed, by the operating system, in a different manner from other files when performing operations, such as, for example, copying the file to a removable media, printing the file, or sending the file over a network.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a multi-focus remote control session (RCS) within a computer system. A unique identifier (UserID) of each user and associated input devices are registered to the RCS. The users have shared concurrent control of a computer screen via the input devices. Responsive to selection of windows within the computer screen by the input devices, concurrently operative focus is provided to each selected window and is specific to the UserID associated with the input device that selected the window. Each selected window having focus may be accessed and manipulated by only the input devices associated with the UserID to which the focus provided to each selected window is specific. The selected windows to which focus has been provided are recording in a computer readable medium in association with the UserID specific to the selection of the windows.