Abstract: A notebook component of an extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system records locations of resources coupled to a computer network. The network-oriented system includes a novel application programming interface for the notebook component that facilitates integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows the notebook component to be replaced, extended or modified by other notebook-type components, while ensuring that these latter components "seamlessly" interact with existing components and component editors of the system.

Abstract: A network-oriented component system facilitates development of customized user interfaces to computer networks by embedding entities that reference resources located on the networks into components of the system. The embedded entities are preferably manifested as visual objects displayed on a graphical user interface of a computer screen that a user may manipulate to effectuate the embedding process. The "container" components are preferably compound documents having contents that include different data types and formats.

Abstract: In a computer system, an apparatus for depicting an electronic mail address in either a field format or a string format. In a field format, the components of the electronic mail address is parsed into a plurality of fields. Each field represents a particular attribute of the electronic mail address. In a string format, the electronic mail address is comprised of a string of characters in a syntax specified by the protocol of the corresponding electronic mail system. A template having syntax information corresponding to the protocol is used to convert an electronic mail address from a field format to a string format and vice versa. Hence, a user has the option of entering an electronic mail address and having it displayed or edited in either a field format or a string format.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for providing the functions of electronic mail in a computer system which is integrated within a display or a window under control of a first application program which does not support electronic mail functionality. A set if mail routines displays a mailer on a first portion of the application program's display with application program data displayed in a second portion of the application program's display. The mail routines allow the user to modify the data in the application program via functionality of the application program and modify the mailer via the functionality of the mail routines. The mail routines further allow the user to perform electronic mail functions provided by the mail routines, wherein the electronic mail functions include using the application program data as content of mail messages processed by the mail routines.

Abstract: A connection dialog component of an extensible and replaceable network-oriented component system enables a user to specify address information of a particular resource coupled to a computer network. The network-oriented system includes novel application programming interfaces for the connection dialog component that facilitates integration with an underlying software component architecture. Such a highly-modular cooperating layered-arrangement between the network component system and the component architecture allows the connection dialog component to be replaced, extended or modified by other connection dialog-type components, while ensuring that these latter components "seamlessly" interact with existing components and component editors of the system.