Abstract: A system and method for managing digests comprising electronic messages is presented. A selection criteria that defines message-based content for a digest is defined. Properties and characteristics of the content of the digest are defined. A delivery criteria that specifies periodic sending of the digest is accepted. The digest is constructed as a set of electronic messages. A dynamic stream of the electronic messages is monitored. One or more of the electronic messages is evaluated by filtering the electronic messages against the selection criteria. Only those electronic messages that satisfy the selection criteria are grouped into the digest to which the selection criteria corresponds. The digest is periodically delivered upon satisfaction of the delivery criteria.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting message threads is provided. A main body and one or more excerpts are parsed from each of a plurality of messages into nodes structured to form a message tree through a procedural top-down recursive descent. The nodes in the message tree are related by determining line-group types for the main body and the excerpts of each message, which are enumerated into partitions for each of the line-group types. An output network of alternative paths through the messages is created based upon the partitions of the message tree. A document is formed from the output network to identify and remove redundant components in each message.

Abstract: Allowing annotations to occur remotely from the device in which they are viewed enables the optimal viewing device and optimal annotation device for generating annotations. Specifically, the annotation systems allow a user to associate annotations with one or more portions of an object. An object identifier is created to identify one or more objects. This object identifier is then forwarded to the annotation device. On the annotation device, the user can associate annotations with a portion of the object based on either a textual or a graphical technique. Upon completion of the annotations, the system synchronizes the annotations with the object based on the object identifier and the selection portion.

Abstract: A forum monitoring device allows an agent to monitor the traffic in a computer-mediated discussion. When the agent determines that there is a significant degree of traffic on a particular topic, or other predetermined rules are satisfied, the agent proposes to the contributors of messages on that topic that a new discussion forum, for example, a new discussion list, be created. If any of the contributors agrees to this suggestion, a new discussion forum, or child forum, is created by the agent. The agent and the contributors are then automatically subscribed to the child forum, and an invitation to join the new forum is sent optionally to the full membership of the parent forum plus any other recipients of postings on the topic.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention identifies the logical components of a message, determines the conversational relationships among messages and then structures and formats the core components into a single document to facilitate efficient assimilation of the structure and content of the contained conversations. The message analysis technique delineates the material to be retained and omitted using a combination of a recursive descent analyzer and a single weighted finite state machine for the core process.

Abstract: The systems and methods of this invention nondisruptively provide the author of an electronic message with conversationally-related messages. Initially, a background search for conversationally-related messages is performed. Next, the conversationally-related messages are made available for viewing by the author. The conversationally-related messages can be displayed in such a way that the author is not required to view any of the related messages during the composition of the new message.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow a user to perform localized searching from a standard web browser. In particular, the systems and methods of this invention use a two-prong approach to accomplish both a dynamic breadth-first crawl search and a contextualize index search to generate search results. The search results are then assembled in a unified results page and displayed to a user.

Abstract: A method for creating secure command-language-based services in the context of a graphical-based services system. The method includes the steps of creating a structured representation of the command-language-based service by using information entered by a service creator via a first user interface; registering the command-language-based service with a generic service provider, the generic service provider being a software module that provides command-language-based services as part of the graphical-based services system; and creating a second user interface corresponding to the command-language-based service created.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow a user to perform localized searching from a standard web browser. In particular, the systems and methods of this invention use a two-prong approach to accomplish both a dynamic breadth-first crawl search and a contextualize index search to generate search results. The search results are then assembled in a unified results page and displayed to a user.

Abstract: A job management apparatus for use in a batch job execution system is provided. The job management apparatus includes a client communications part which receives a batch job from a client, an extracting part which extracts a task from the batch job, and an assigning part which receives signals from the service providers and delegates a task to a service provider who is capable of performing such task. The job management apparatus is in communication with a job database which stores the batch job after it is received from the client. At least one provider manager is in communication with the job management apparatus and in communication with the service providers which monitors the tasks as they are being performed on a service provider and provides status information about the task to the job management apparatus. The service providers are configured to output signals to the job management apparatus requesting work.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention identifies the logical components of a message, determines the conversational relationships among messages and then structures and formats the core components into a single document to facilitate efficient assimilation of the structure and content of the contained conversations. The message analysis technique delineates the material to be retained and omitted using a combination of a recursive descent analyzer and a single weighted finite state machine for the core process.