Abstract: A computer implemented method, and a software product for directing a search aided by a set of topics, the topics not necessarily having a hierarchy. Each topic is attached to at least one information item of a plurality of information items, such as a Web page identified by a URL. The method includes identifying one or more information items of the plurality of information items, and determining one or more suggested topics from the set of topics according to the attachments of the suggested topics to the identified information items, and providing search results to the user including at least some of the identified information items and at least one of the suggested topics. Selecting one of the suggested topics generates a new set of suggested topics, such that a hierarchy of topics is formed on the fly for a particular search.

Abstract: A method and a carrier medium carrying computer code to execute a method. The method includes defining a set of topics for attachment to one or more information items by at least one user (a registered searcher), the defining the topics including accepting from at least one user at least one topic, and adding the topic to the plurality of topics. The topics do not necessarily have a hierarchical structure. Each topic is for attachment to one or more information item. The attached topics are for searching by a particular searcher for information item(s) according to search request information, including at least one topic of the set of topics, the searching including identifying at least one information item that has attachment to the topic(s) of the search request information. The method further includes defining a collection of attachments that can be viewed and searched by a corresponding group of at least one user, the corresponding group defined for the collection.

Abstract: A method and a carrier medium carrying computer code to execute a method. The method includes defining a set of topics for attachment to one or more information items by at least one user (a registered searcher), the defining the topics including accepting from at least one user at least one topic, and adding the topic to the plurality of topics. The topics do not necessarily have a hierarchical structure. Each topic is for attachment to one or more information item. The attached topics are for searching by a particular searcher for information item(s) according to search request information, including at least one topic of the set of topics, the searching including identifying at least one information item that has attachment to the topic(s) of the search request information. The method further includes defining a collection of attachments that can be viewed and searched by a corresponding group of at least one user, the corresponding group defined for the collection.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, and a software product for directing a search aided by a set of topics, the topics not necessarily having a hierarchy. Each topic is attached to at least one information item of a plurality of information items, such as a Web page identified by a URL. At least some of the attachments are created by one or more users. The method includes identifying one or more information items of the plurality of information items, and determining one or more suggested topics from the set of topics according to the attachments of the suggested topics to the identified information items, and providing search results to the user including at least some of the identified information items and at least one of the suggested topics. Selecting one of the suggested topics generates a new set of suggested topics, such that a hierarchy of topics is formed on the fly for a particular search.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, and a software product for directing a search aided by a set of topics, the topics not necessarily having a hierarchy. Each topic is attached to at least one information item of a plurality of information items, such as a Web page identified by a URL. The method includes identifying one or more information items of the plurality of information items, and determining one or more suggested topics from the set of topics according to the attachments of the suggested topics to the identified information items, and providing search results to the user including at least some of the identified information items and at least one of the suggested topics. Selecting one of the suggested topics generates a new set of suggested topics, such that a hierarchy of topics is formed on the fly for a particular search.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, and a software product for directing a search aided by a set of topics, the topics not necessarily having a hierarchy. Each topic is attached to at least one information item of a plurality of information items, such as a Web page identified by a URL. The method includes identifying one or more information items of the plurality of information items, and determining one or more suggested topics from the set of topics according to the attachments of the suggested topics to the identified information items, and providing search results to the user including at least some of the identified information items and at least one of the suggested topics. Selecting one of the suggested topics generates a new set of suggested topics, such that a hierarchy of topics is formed on the fly for a particular search.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing a service framework for a distributed object network system are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus that includes a server, a service for a limited resource residing on the server, and a pool of workers for the service that execute service requests from a client in a distributed object network system is provided. In some embodiments, a method that includes providing client-side service request encapsulation, balancing workloads among clones of service locators, clones of services, and workers in a worker pool of a service, and improving fault tolerance in a distributed object network system is provided.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing a service framework for a distributed object network system are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus that includes a server, a service for a limited resource residing on the server, and a pool of workers for the service that execute service requests from a client in a distributed object network system is provided. In some embodiments, a method that includes providing client-side service request encapsulation, balancing workloads among clones of service locators, clones of services, and workers in a worker pool of a service, and improving fault tolerance in a distributed object network system is provided.

Abstract: To provide an interface between a computer application and a database, a user invokes the application and another program, called "link manager". The user "drags and drops" GUI objects from the application window to the link manager window to command the link manager to associate parameters of the GUI objects (e.g., object names) with input and output fields of database operations. The link manager records these associations in a mapping file. When later the application is executed, a program, called "execution manager", reads the mapping file. When the application issues a request to the database, the execution manager uses the mapping file to translate the request to the database format, converting values of parameters of GUI objects to input values of a database operation as defined by the mapping file. The execution manager translates the database response to the application format, converting output values of the response to values of application GUI parameters as defined by the mapping file.