Abstract: Updating a plurality of computers is accomplished. A first message is created in an update source, where the first message includes a one or more instructions and an address of a message repository. The first message is transmitted to a first computer using either a Push or a Pull protocol. A second message is transmitted to the first computer using the Push or Pull protocol, the second message comprising data retrieved from the address in the first message. The first computer executes one or more of the instructions in the first message with at least some of the second message. The address in the first message is updated to match the address of the first computer. The updated first message is transmitting to a further one of the computers. Transmission of the second message is repeated to further ones in the plurality of computers until all of the plurality of computers have been updated.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a mechanism which is activated when a user opts to hibernate their computer (at the end of the day) rather than switching it off. In particular, on receipt of a hibernate request, an embodiment provides a mechanism for determining whether (as a result of, for example, a distribution or installation of software to a computer) there are any outstanding reboot operations for the computer. If there are any outstanding reboot operations for the computer, an embodiment advises the user of the fact; and allows the user to reconsider whether or not they wish to shut the computer down (or reboot the computer), or hibernate the computer. An embodiment then reboots the computer or hibernates the computer in accordance with the user's wishes.

Abstract: A system management product installed in a distributed computing environment can efficiently provide appropriate translations of message texts without preinstalled catalogues of translations. When a management activity that includes displaying a message text is performed, the system management product determines that a translation of the message text in the target language is unavailable at a client computer. A translation of the message text into the target language is requested from a translation service. A plurality of different translations of the message text in the target language is received. The plurality of different translations is displayed at the client computer. Feedback about the plurality of different translations is requested. The feedback is provided to the translation service. An indication of a vote for a preferred translation of the message text in the target language based on the feedback is recorded.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for distributing software features (particularly software products having a global portion and a user portion necessary for activating the software products) to client workstations of a network. Each client workstation has a multi-user operating system that may be accessed with different user profiles, each one associated with a corresponding operating context. A distribution package is received in the client workstation; the distribution package includes instructions associated with global activities for the client workstation as a whole or with user activities specific for the single profiles. A distribution agent (running outside the context of a current profile) executes only the global activity and schedules the user activities to be performed when a user next logs onto the workstation. A user agent loaded when the workstation is accessed with a selected profile executes the user activities in the corresponding context.

Abstract: Updating a plurality of computers is accomplished. A first message is created in an update source, where the first message includes a one or more instructions and an address of a message repository. The first message is transmitted to a first computer using either a Push or a Pull protocol. A second message is transmitted to the first computer using the Push or Pull protocol, the second message comprising data retrieved from the address in the first message. The first computer executes one or more of the instructions in the first message with at least some of the second message. The address in the first message is updated to match the address of the first computer. The updated first message is transmitting to a further one of the computers. Transmission of the second message is repeated to further ones in the plurality of computers until substantially all of a pre-defined number of computers have been updated.

Abstract: A method and system for centrally managing configuration of software application components, is provided. One implementation involves creating configuration metadata for each component of the application; providing a specific configuration for a component; checking validity of the specific configuration using the metadata for said component; and monitoring the application component configuration for consistency with said specific configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a mechanism which is activated when a user opts to hibernate their computer (at the end of the day) rather than switching it off. In particular, on receipt of a hibernate request, an embodiment provides a mechanism for determining whether (as a result of, for example, a distribution or installation of software to a computer) there are any outstanding reboot operations for the computer. If there are any outstanding reboot operations for the computer, an embodiment advises the user of the fact; and allows the user to reconsider whether or not they wish to shut the computer down (or reboot the computer), or hibernate the computer. An embodiment then reboots the computer or hibernates the computer in accordance with the user's wishes.

Abstract: A method (300) of distributing software features (particularly software products having a global portion and a user portion necessary for activating the software products) to client workstations of a network; each client workstation has a multi-user operating system, and may be accessed (327-328) with different user profiles each one associated with a corresponding operating context. A distribution package is received (312) in the client workstation; the distribution package includes instructions associated with global activities for the client workstation as a whole or with user activities specific for the single profiles. A distribution agent (running outside the context of a current profile) executes (309-329) only the global activity (even if the workstation is in a logoff condition) and schedules the user activities to be performed when a user next logs onto the workstation.

Abstract: A method (300) of distributing software features (particularly software products having a global portion and a user portion necessary for activating the software products) to client workstations of a network; each client workstation has a multi-user operating system, and may be accessed (327-328) with different user profiles each one associated with a corresponding operating context. A distribution package is received (312) in the client workstation; the distribution package includes instructions associated with global activities for the client workstation as a whole or with user activities specific for the single profiles. A distribution agent (running outside the context of a current profile) executes (309-329) only the global activity (even if the workstation is in a logoff condition) and schedules the user activities to be performed when a user next logs onto the workstation.

Abstract: A software distribution system comprises building blocks including a preparation and test site, comprising a software package editor, software package transformation tools and an AutoPack module for preparing and testing software packages to be distributed to endpoints. A software package comprises a file including a complete definition of the actions involved in a software distribution and, once distributed, when a software package is available to a target endpoint, an engine resident on the target can be instructed via the management agent to decode the software package from the file into memory and then to perform various software distribution operations including installing, removing and modifying the software and configuration of the endpoint.

Abstract: In a data processing apparatus executing a hypertext-document browsing software application, a method of managing requests to print a selected hypertext electronic document, for example the hypertext document currently displayed, comprises, under the control of the browsing software, the acts of creating an output electronic document and incorporating therein an information content of the selected hypertext electronic document, and automatically inspecting the selected hypertext electronic document for detecting the presence of hypertext links to respective linked hypertext electronic documents. For each hypertext link detected in the selected hypertext electronic document, the respective linked hypertext document is automatically accessed without having the user personally activating the corresponding hypertext link; an indication of an information content of the linked hypertext document is also automatically extracted therefrom, and provided to the user.

Abstract: A method (300) of distributing software features (particularly software products having a global portion and a user portion necessary for activating the software products) to client workstations of a network; each client workstation has a multi-user operating system, and may be accessed (327-328) with different user profiles each one associated with a corresponding operating context. A distribution package is received (312) in the client workstation; the distribution package includes instructions associated with global activities for the client workstation as a whole or with user activities specific for the single profiles. A distribution agent (running outside the context of a current profile) executes (309-329) only the global activity (even if the workstation is in a logoff condition) and schedules the user activities to be performed when a user next logs onto the workstation.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing byte data files to endpoint stations through a network, the byte data files being modified versions of an base byte data file stored on the endpoint stations. The method comprises steps for creating a delta software package comprising at least one resulting delta file obtained by applying a differencing algorithm to the base byte data file and the modified byte data file. The method further comprises the step of adding in the header of the software package file, a data integrity code of the base byte data file. On the endpoint stations, the method comprises steps for comparing the base byte data file integrity of the code in the delta package to the code in the base byte data file stored on the end stations. If the code is identical, the delta file is used to rebuild the modified version of the base byte data file from the base byte data file stored on the end stations.

Abstract: A software distribution system comprises building blocks including a preparation and test site, comprising a software package editor, software package transformation tools and an AutoPack module for preparing and testing software packages to be distributed to endpoints. A software package comprises a file including a complete definition of the actions involved in a software distribution and, once distributed, when a software package is available to a target endpoint, an engine resident on the target can be instructed via the management agent to decode the software package from the file into memory and then to perform various software distribution operations including installing, removing and modifying the software and configuration of the endpoint.