Abstract: A computer-implemented method of interlacing responses within an instant messaging (IM) system can include, responsive to a request from a user in an IM session, storing an IM message fragment input by the user and associating the IM message fragment with a message selected from an IM session transcript. The method can include recalling the IM message fragment and outputting, at least in part, the IM message fragment in response to the message.

Abstract: A method for providing relationship-centric resources includes establishing a communication session between a first device and a second device, determining, during the communication session between the first and second devices, an intersection of mutual topics of interest between users of the first and second devices by cross-referencing sets of interests for the users, retrieving content based on a determination that the content meets a content descriptor, and simultaneously displaying the retrieved content. The content descriptor describes a nature of the communication session. The retrieving is further based on a determination that the content is related to a mutual topic of interest from the intersection of mutual topics of interest between the users of the first and second devices. The determination of relatedness is based on a cross-reference between the content and the mutual topic of interest. The cross-reference is stored in a lookup table.

Abstract: Updating contact information for a first communication device according to metadata associated with a virtual world is provided. In response to an avatar of a first user interacting with an avatar of a second user in the virtual world, information comprising a name of the avatar of the second user and metadata associated with the avatar of the second user is sent to the first user. In response to receiving the information, contact information associated with the name of the avatar of the second user is determined. The contact information is organized based on the metadata. The organized contact information is prioritized according to the metadata. A speed dial setting corresponding to the prioritized contact information is assigned. The assigned speed dial setting is assigned to the first communication device. The assigned speed dial setting is stored in the first communication device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of interlacing responses within an instant messaging (IM) system can include, responsive to a request from a user in an IM session, storing an IM message fragment input by the user and associating the IM message fragment with a message selected from an IM session transcript. The method can include recalling the IM message fragment and outputting, at least in part, the IM message fragment in response to the message.

Abstract: A method for providing relationship-centric resources includes establishing a communication session between a first device and a second device, determining, during the communication session between the first and second devices, an intersection of mutual topics of interest between users of the first and second devices by cross-referencing sets of interests for the users, retrieving content based on a determination that the content meets a content descriptor, and simultaneously displaying the retrieved content. The content descriptor describes a nature of the communication session. The retrieving is further based on a determination that the content is related to a mutual topic of interest from the intersection of mutual topics of interest between the users of the first and second devices. The determination of relatedness is based on a cross-reference between the content and the mutual topic of interest. The cross-reference is stored in a lookup table.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of interlacing responses within an instant messaging (IM) system can include, responsive to a request from a user in an IM session, storing an IM message fragment input by the user and associating the IM message fragment with a message selected from an IM session transcript. The method can include recalling the IM message fragment and outputting, at least in part, the IM message fragment in response to the message.

Abstract: Relationship-centric resources are provided to users during a communication session. After establishing a communication session between a first communication device and a second communication device, content that meets a content descriptor is retrieved. This content descriptor describes a nature of a relationship between users of the first and second communication devices. The retrieved content, which meets the content descriptor, is then simultaneously displaying on both the first communication device and the second communication device.

Abstract: Updating contact information for a first communication device according to metadata associated with a virtual world is provided. In response to an avatar of a first user interacting with an avatar of a second user in the virtual world, information comprising a name of the avatar of the second user and metadata associated with the avatar of the second user is sent to the first user. In response to receiving the information, contact information associated with the name of the avatar of the second user is determined. The contact information is organized based on the metadata. The organized contact information is prioritized according to the metadata. A speed dial setting corresponding to the prioritized contact information is assigned. The assigned speed dial setting is assigned to the first communication device. The assigned speed dial setting is stored in the first communication device.

Abstract: Provided is a method for displaying information such as lists of data, files and icons in a window of a graphical user interface (GUI). Unlike a typical display methodology, which arranges items in a “machine-dependent” sorting order, the disclosed technology provides a “natural” sorting order. The list, or names associated with the files or icons are incorporated into a query and the query is transmitted to a web service. The web service parses the query to determine a natural order appropriate to the material represented by the list, files, or icons rearranges the list, files or icons into the natural order and returns a response to the originator of the query. The operating system or GUI that originated the query receives the response, parses the response and displays the list, files or icons in the corresponding natural order.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for controlling an output of a vehicle mounted display based on the current cargo loading of the vehicle so as to change the appearance of the vehicle. The mechanisms may identify at least one identifier of contents of a current cargo loading of the vehicle. The at least one identifier may identify at least one product currently being transported by the vehicle. The mechanisms may further correlate the at least one identifier with display data to be rendered on the vehicle mounted display. The mechanisms may further output the display data to the vehicle mounted display such that the display data is rendered on the vehicle mounted display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provide for accepting a user's selection of sort options for sorting a table according to embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments include selecting a representative shape for displaying sort options; identifying one or more columns in the table available for selection as a key for sorting; displaying, together in a GUI, identifications of the one or more columns and the representative shape; and receiving, as a user's selection of one of the columns as a key for sorting, an invocation of a GUI control associated with an identification of the selected columns.

Abstract: A mechanism for sharing tasks is provided in which individuals in a share group may signal their intent to complete individual shared tasks and communicate that intent to other individuals in the share group. A required time for completion of the shared tasks may be associated with an individual's signaling of the intent to complete the shared task. The completion of the shared task by the individual signaling intent to complete may be monitored and, if not completed within the associated required time, the performance of the shared task may again be shared with the individuals of the share group. In this way, another individual may signal that individual's intent to perform the shared task and the process may be repeated until the shared task is completed.

Abstract: A mechanism for sharing tasks is provided in which individuals in a share group may signal their intent to complete individual shared tasks and communicate that intent to other individuals in the share group. A required time for completion of the shared tasks may be associated with an individual's signaling of the intent to complete the shared task. The completion of the shared task by the individual signaling intent to complete may be monitored and, if not completed within the associated required time, the performance of the shared task may again he shared with the individuals of the share group. In this way, another individual may signal that individual's intent to perform the shared task and the process may be repeated until the shared task is completed.

Abstract: Collaborative voting widgets (or controls) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that is adapted for collaborative effort between groups of individuals. The widgets have a modal selection state that changes the appearance and functionality of the widget depending on whether the widget is being presented to a particular user (e.g., a group leader) or a member of the group. The group provides user input to vote on a value of the widget. The particular user may subsequently override the voting result, reset the votes and optionally call for a re-vote, overriding the group consensus or breaking ties.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and media to perform operations on filtered components of documents are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of performing an operation on selected components of an electronic document using at least one criterion to filter selected parts from other parts of the electronic document. In some embodiments, the method includes analyzing the electronic document to generate the filtering criteria. One embodiment includes presenting a list of filtering criteria to a user, whereupon the user may choose one or more criteria. Other variations of embodiments generally include apparatuses, systems and media that allow a user to choose specific text fonts, text styles, text entry dates, and text entry authors as filtering criteria, for such operations as spell checking, grammar checking, printing, and copying the document components, or text.

Abstract: A system and method for providing sticky applications are provided. A “sticky application” is an operating system (OS) level application that has the ability to “stick” to web applications and become a part of the web page on which the web application is running. While the sticky application is stuck to the web application, it behaves as if it were a web application with respect to the user. When the user chooses to “unstick” the application, it will return to behaving as an OS level application. The sticky application imitates being a web-based application instead of an operating system level application while stuck. This imitation involves the sticky application being placed on pixel coordinates within a web page of the web application and the sticky application remaining in the pixel coordinates within the web page where it is placed even when a user modifies the representation of the web page.

Abstract: Mechanisms for providing a social network aware input dictionary are provided. A social network of users is monitored to determine the words and terms utilized by the users as part of their communication and interaction within the social network. Words and terms are ranked, or prioritized, within the social network based on a determined increase/decrease in popularity of the words/terms as determined from the monitoring of the social network. Based on the ranking of these words/terms, individual input dictionaries associated with devices used by the users of the social network may be automatically updated to include/remove these words/terms and/or increase/decrease a relative priority of the words/terms within the input dictionaries. Such automatic updating may be performed regardless of whether the particular user has used the word/term or not.

Abstract: Provided is a method for displaying information such as lists of data, files and icons in a window of a graphical user interface (GUI). Unlike a typical display methodology, which arranges items in a “machine-dependent” sorting order, the disclosed technology provides a “natural” sorting order. The list, or names associated with the files or icons are incorporated into a query and the query is transmitted to a web service. The web service parses the query to determine a natural order appropriate to the material represented by the list, files, or icons rearranges the list, files or icons into the natural order and returns a response to the originator of the query. The operating system or GUI that originated the query receives the response, parses the response and displays the list, files or icons in the corresponding natural order.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provide for accepting a user's selection of sort options for sorting a table according to embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product that enables a direction service to automatically inform the requester or user of the directions of advertisement associated with the various businesses and/or landmarks situated on a directional map generated by the service. The service provider of the navigational service enhances the directional offerings to include advertisements associated with specific businesses and/or points of interest within the service's mapping database. When a generated route/direction includes landmarks (e.g., one or more of the businesses or other point of interest), which have an associated advertisement, the service displays (or outputs via audible or other means) the advertisement to the user, along with the directions. In this way the user is provided an output that includes the directions, landmarks (businesses and/or points of interest) along the routes, as well as an output of the specific advertisement associated with each of these landmarks.