Abstract: Transparent access to networked resources identified with a resource locator that is at least partially obscured. When a resource locator is received, for example, by a proxy, client authorization to access the resource is validated. If the client is authorized, then the at least partial obscuring is do-obscured and the resource is retrieved from the resource manager according to the de-obscured resource locator. Even if the client is using a protocol that would normally identify the source of the resource, the resource is provided to the client as if it originated with the proxy. In such manner, the location of the resource manager may remain hidden.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions and an execution unit is presented. The execution unit, coupled to the storage medium, executes the plurality of programming instructions to implement a hierarchy of collaboration services enabling collaboration between a client computer and a collaboration partner, including a service to determine the system attributes of the client computer and to select an appropriate collaboration service from the hierarchy of collaboration services commensurate with the determined system attributes of the client computer and enabling a collaboration session between the client computer and the collaboration partner.

Abstract: In accordance with a method and apparatus for synchronizing information browsing among multiple systems, a bridgeport system receives identifiers for data requests received in a first hardware system and automatically transmits the identifier of the requested data to one or more additional hardware systems. Each of these one or more additional hardware systems then retrieves the identified data, thereby keeping the data being provided in these hardware systems in synchronization.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a voice call to a PSTN extension for a networked client computer, and routing the voice call off of the network, is provided. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions coupled to an execution unit to execute the plurality of programming instructions to implement a set of communication services facilitating the establishment of the voice call to the PSTN extension. The set of communication services include services for receiving a request from the networked client computer requesting the voice call, determining the PSTN extension and controlling a computer telephony interface to route the voice call from the packet switched network to the PSTN extension.

Abstract: A graphical user interface control element. A computer system for interfacing with a user has a display device and a user input peripheral device for controlling a positioning element on the display device. The positioning element has a location and an active status corresponding to whether the positioning element is activated or not activated by the user. A control button is displayed on the display means, the control button having a three-dimensional appearance and at least first and second regions. The active status and location of the positioning element are monitored to determine whether a region of the control button is being pushed by the positioning device. The appearance of the control button on the display means is altered in accordance with the region being pushed by the positioning device so that the control button appears to be tilted toward the pushed region by the positioning device to provide graphical feedback to the user.

Abstract: A graphical user interface control element. A computer system for interfacing with a user has a display device and a user input peripheral device for controlling a positioning element on the display device. The positioning element has a location and an active status corresponding to whether the positioning element is activated or not activated by the user. A control button is displayed on the display means, the control button having a three-dimensional appearance and at least first and second regions. The active status and location of the positioning element are monitored to determine whether a region of the control button is being pushed by the positioning device. The appearance of the control button on the display means is altered in accordance with the region being pushed by the positioning device so that the control button appears to be fitted toward the pushed region by the positioning device to provide graphical feedback to the user.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and storage medium for providing a control button for interfacing with a user of the computer system. According to a preferred embodiment, the computer system comprises a display device for displaying the control button, the control button having a three-dimensional appearance and at least first and second regions, wherein the control button is a window. The computer system comprises a processor running an operating system comprising a window data structure, the processor also running an application comprising a window procedure and a window parent. The window data structure notifies the window procedure when the user pushes the control button with a user input means, and the window data structure containing a pointer to the window procedure.

Abstract: A method for simulating an interrupt based application programming interface in a computer system, wherein a trap driver hooks to a real mode interrupt chain comprising at least one interrupt service routine for execution in a real mode of a central processing unit. The trap driver waits for a simulated real mode interrupt, and executes an interface function in a protected mode of the central processing unit if the simulated real mode interrupt specifies the application programming interface. Otherwise, the trap driver chains the simulated real mode interrupt to a next interrupt service routine in the real mode interrupt chain.