Abstract: Individual messages that are displayed on a screen are modified to allow a user to select options relating to the future display of the message and, if the message is to be displayed, then the procedure for removing the message from the screen. As a message is displayed, it is provided with an options pushbutton. Selection of the pushbutton provides the display of the options for displaying and removing the message.

Abstract: Items in a container object of a first computer application program are filtered using filter data for related entries in a container object of a second computer application program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a direct manipulation protocol to allow a user, while dragging a source object to a target object, to pass the source object through one or more intervening processor objects, causing an appropriate action to occur to the source object when it is dropped on the target object. If the source object is passed across a processor object for which no appropriate action occurs, the source object remains unchanged in appearance and content. If the source object undergoes modification, its graphical representation to the user changes, giving the user feedback that the source object has been modified.

Abstract: As user is allowed alternatives for selecting computer application program actions which are dependent on the position of a computer display cursor. If the cursor is located at the position where the action is desired, the computer's user selects a textual or symbolic description of the action, thereby causing the action to be performed at the cursor's position. If the cursor is not located at the desired position, user moves an icon associated with the desired action to the desired position, thereby moving the cursor and causing the action to be performed at the desired position.

Abstract: A data processing system for notifying the user of a terminal attached to a host processor of the occurrence of an asynchronous event affecting the user. The notification system determines whether or not the user is in communication with the host processor and then generates and displays an icon, or other selectable graphic representation of the asynchronous event at the user's terminal. Selection of the graphic representation by the user will display additional details of the asynchronous event to the user at his or her terminal. In one embodiment of the present invention, an indication of the asynchronous event is stored at the host processor if the user is not in communication with the host processor and displayed to the user after communication is initiated.

Abstract: A method for notifying the user of a terminal attached to a host processor of the occurrence of an asynchronous event affecting the user. The notification method determines whether or not the user is in communication with the host processor and then generates and displays an icon, or other selectable graphic representation of the asynchronous event at the user's terminal. Selection of the graphic representation by the user will display additional details of the asynchronous event to the user at his or her terminal. In one embodiment of the present invention, an indication of the asynchronous event is stored at the host processor if the user is not in communication with the host processor and displayed to the user after communication is initiated.

Abstract: An electronic calendaring method for use in a data processing system which includes a plurality of interactive terminals which are interconnected to permit an end user at each terminal to interchange information with each other and to maintain an electronic calendar. The method facilitates the reply process to an electronic invitation to attend a meeting that is issued by one of the end users by arranging for the system to advise the invitee that a meeting notice is available to review in the "In Box" of the terminal. The method causes a composite screen to be built which simultaneously displays the meeting details and the relevant section, i.e. a day of entries, of the owner's calendar in a side by side format so that calendar entries are correlated to the meeting data and time. The composite display permits an interactive selection by the calendar owner end user of at least one option which can be either to accept the invitation and calendar the meeting or to reject the invitation.