Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.

Abstract: In a graphical user interface environment, a request to save a file may result in a display of a location or view in which the file is to be saved, and may include a preview indicia representing the to-be-saved file. The user may interact with the preview indicia to edit the new file's metadata by repositioning the indicia in a different view, and/or the system may automatically update the preview indicia's location in response to the user editing displayed metadata properties for the new file. The preview indicia may have a distinct appearance, and may persist to show the user how the new file can be located after the save process is performed.

Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the status of an application and altering the corresponding application window if necessary in order to convey information to the user and improve the user experience. The system and method of the invention allow visual treatment to be applied to a last active state of an application. The system and method further detect hidden dialogs that are shown in response to an application closing or exit request. The system and method additionally trap applications that respond to messages but ignore close commands and detect applications that do not provide visual feedback in response to user requests to close. Through these functions, a user is able to more readily distinguish between a non-responsive application and an improperly functioning application window.

Abstract: A system and related techniques to collect and manage a set of incoming message notification objects, such as instant message notifications, email notifications, download notifications, transaction notifications and others and present those objects to the user with an icon, tile or other representation on a dynamically scaled timeline. According to embodiments, the dynamically scaled timeline may present the most recently received object farthest to the right on a notifications bar or facility and slide objects to the left to represent passage of time as those objects age. Instead of presenting those objects on a linear scale, according to the invention, the time intervals in which objects may be presented may be scaled to cause the oldest message objects to be presented on a relatively compressed dimension. The most recently received messages may be presented on wider intervals, to permit the user to perceive differences in arrival of items more clearly.

Abstract: Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.