Abstract: The invention enables multiple users to simultaneously access and change the contents of a database in a flexible manner. Each user interacts with a working copy of a master copy of the database. The contents of each of the working copies of the database can be accessed and manipulated so that the contents of the working copy of the database can be revised. Each user has control over whether to the "publish" revisions made to the contents of that user's working copy of the database, i.e., write the revisions to the master copy and present other users with the option of including the revisions in the working copies of those other users. Each user has the option to reject revisions published by other users so that the contents of each user's working copy of the database may or may not be maintained consistent with other working copies of the database operated on by other users.

Abstract: The present invention includes a computer-based training system (CBT) having one or more Application Translation Units (ATUs), a message engine, and a script engine. For one or more target applications of interest, an ATU is provided for processing events specific to that application, thereby trapping events and translating them into abstract messages or "meta-messages" for conveying information about a particular event to the system. A general operating system ATU is also provided for trapping general system events. Translated event messages are processed by event handlers. System or application-specific messages which are not of interest are simply allowed to pass through. The individual handlers dispatch their respective messages to the script engine, which includes instructions for directing the activity of the target application(s). The script engine, in turn, acts upon an incoming message. The dispatched message triggers appropriate action (as specified by instructions within the script).

Abstract: The present invention includes a computer-based training system (CBT) having one or more Application Translation Units (ATUs), a message engine, and a script engine. For one or more target applications of interest, an ATU is provided for processing events specific to that application, thereby trapping events and translating them into abstract messages or "meta-messages" for conveying information about a particular event to the system. A general operating system ATU is also provided for trapping general system events. Translated event messages are processed by event handlers. System or application-specific messages which are not of interest are simply allowed to pass through. The individual handlers dispatch their respective messages to the script engine, which includes instructions for directing the activity of the target application(s). The script engine, in turn, acts upon an incoming message. The dispatched message triggers appropriate action (as specified by instructions within the script).