Abstract: An aggregate display of contact data from internal and external sources is provided. Contact data associated with at least one contact is obtained from a plurality of sources, including at least an internal source and an external source. The obtained contact data is processed to generate an aggregated collection of contact data. The aggregated collection of contact data is stored. A display of the aggregated collection of contact data is displayed in a single, interactive interface.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically organizing electronic messages is described herein. Social groups of a particular user that may be representative of topics, people, projects, and the like can be automatically learned based at least in part upon historical correspondence of the user. Moreover, messages can be automatically prioritized based at least in part upon historical correspondence patterns. Electronic messages may be presented to the user in accordance with group information and how important the messages are to the user.

Abstract: Providing for characterizing and determining effectiveness of social networks is described herein. By way of example, data descriptive of inter-relationships of persons can be employed to generate a social connectivity map for users of a communication network. Data disseminated or consumed via the communication network can be monitored and characterized in conjunction with task performance. The characterization can be compared with a performance benchmark to rate a composition of a social network, or underlying network applications and functions, in effecting user tasks or other user activities. Accordingly, individuals and organizations can determine and compare the effectiveness of a network in assisting user activities based on predetermined benchmarks, which can be tuned to various aspects, functions or applications of an underlying social network.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and graphical user interfaces for presenting an interactive profile of a second entity to a first entity in an electronic communication (e.g., email, instant messaging, chat-room, etc.) application are disclosed herein. Data associated with a second entity is extracted from one or more non-dedicated sources external to the electronic communication. The extracted data is presented to a first entity as the interactive profile of the second entity in the electronic communication application. The interactive profile is also capable of acting as an electronic communication channel through which the first and second entities may communicate.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying a list of file attachments associated with a message thread an email application. The messages associated with the message thread are identified, along with any file attachments attached to those messages. An aggregated attachment list is generated containing an entry for each file attachment associated with the message thread. The aggregated attachment list associated with the message thread is then displayed in a window of the email application.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing multi-modal communication through modal-specific interfaces. In one method, a communication in a first modality is received from a first interface across a computer network. The communication is converted into a second modality. Upon converting the communication into the second modality, the communication is provided to a second interface across the computer network.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for a user interface uniting two primary components, a list view and a reading pane, within a message reading application. Technologies are also described for synchronizing status and parameters between the two primary user interface components. In particular, a user interface for reading messages can represent all components of a conversation with both a list view for presenting a message map, and a reading pane for presenting a content view. The list view can present a list of messages grouped by conversation. The reading pane window can contain smaller windows or frames. Each of the smaller windows or frames can contain a message within a given conversation. Synchronization provided between the list view and a reading pane can allow message selection in one of the user interface components to cause display and selection of the corresponding message in the other user interface component.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing users of a messaging application with controls that perform one or more selected actions with a message. Any number of default custom action controls may be displayed in a gallery. The selection of a custom action control performs various actions to an active message. New custom action controls may be created and existing controls modified to provide any number of desired actions. Dialogs provide user-friendly interfaces that allow a user to assign the desired functionality to a custom action control. The custom action controls may be organized into groups and shared between messaging applications and computers.