Abstract: Network resource management systems are provided. A representative network update manager includes an updater coupled to a persistent database and to an administrative application residing on an application server and a memory operable to store a plurality of delayed updates. The network update manager is preferably operable to receive at least one update from the administrative application and subsequently update the persistent database. Methods and other systems for network resource management are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for forwarding an E-mail message to a user when instant messages from a sender cannot be forwarded to a secondary IM processing device comprise a primary IM processing device configured to send and receive E-mail messages and a router configured to route E-mail messages between the primary IM processing device and a sender's processing device. An E-mail user agent is coupled to the router and configured to provide access to E-mail information including an address of the sender such that an E-mail message can be sent to the sender's processing device. The router is further configured to receive notification at the primary IM processing device of a reply from the sender's processing device. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: In a resource-sharing system comprising a host element, a shareable resource associated with the host element, and a presence server that is communicatively coupled to the host element, presence information of the shareable resource is provided. Resource data from the host element is provided to a guest element via a resource proxy server.

Abstract: A system and method are presented in which a plurality of transport protocol objects (TPOs) are instantiated at a server. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of TPOs is adapted to provide a translation between a first IM protocol and a different IM protocol.

Abstract: A system and method are presented in which a plurality of transport protocol objects (TPOS) are instantiated at a server. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of TPOs is adapted to provide a translation between a first IM protocol and a different IM protocol.

Abstract: Attachments that are received through one or more message transport services are processed. An object identifier is received through an electronic message received through one of a plurality of message transport services. A thumbnail graphic of a portion of the contents of the object associated with the object identifier is generated and displayed in a display window.

Abstract: A system and method are presented in which a plurality of transport protocol objects (TPOs) are instantiated at an IM user agent. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of TPOs is adapted to provide a translation between a first IM protocol and a different IM protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a logical port, which in one embodiment among many, can be broadly summarized by a representative method of transmitting on a first logical port, a message requesting a test of a second logical port; receiving an acknowledgement message on the first logical port; and then compiling a configuration result based on receipt of a test message through the second logical port and/or a timeout period during which the test message is not received through the second logical port. Another embodiment can be described as a configuration program stored on a computer-readable medium, the program being used to perform a communication test between a first client computing element and a server computing element to discover the status of a port of the first client computing element, where the port is used in an application program that provides communication between the first client computing element and a second client computing element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method transmits signals to a destination via a first physical media. Signals are also transmitted to the destination via a second physical media. This second physical media is dynamically shared amongst multiple destinations to provide additional bandwidth when required.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discovering and configuring an audio input device that is coupled to any one of several externally-accessible input ports of a PC, and, which in one embodiment, incorporates a device discovery system that polls the plurality of input ports to discover a valid connectivity of the audio input device to the PC by detecting a signal that is generated by the audio input device in response to a user providing an audible stimulus to the audio input device. This system may further incorporate discovering and configuring a video input device coupled to one of several of the same, or different, externally-accessible input ports of the PC. In this system, the device discovery system polls the plurality of input ports to discover a valid connectivity of the video input device to the PC by detecting a signal that is generated by the video input device in response to a user providing a visual stimulus to the video input device.

Abstract: Systems and methods remotely aggregate codecs, media player standards, or other media format access data such that a media player resident on a client device can access the content of media files of virtually any media format through a single universal media player having a graphical user interface. Thus, the user need not utilize multiple media players or manually associate of media file types with the appropriate media player. The most recent versions of media formats are maintained remotely such that updates are provided via a network interface between the client device and the remote server. Program modules that generate the universal media player are also remotely managed by the remote server such that the application is continually updated. Whenever a user encounters a media file of a previously unencountered or unsupported media file type, the universal media player retrieves the appropriate media format access data to access the file.

Abstract: A solid, sulfur-containing carbonaceous feedstock, e.g. coal or other high carbon content solid, in a finely divided form is suspended in a hydrocarbon liquid along with a finely divided hydroconversion catalyst having a nominal particle size of less than about 10 microns. The resulting suspension and a hydrogen-containing gas are contacted at an elevated temperature and pressure and at a weight hourly space velocity of between 200 and 50,000 kg. of the suspension per kg. of catalyst per hour. The resulting product is continuously withdrawn from the contact zone and normally gaseous materials are separated. A liquid product having a substantially reduced sulfur content and containing the finely divided catalyst is recovered as desulfurized product.