Abstract: A storage manager represents XML-compliant documents as a collection of objects, each associated with an element of the XML document. The objects are created with a hierarchy that conforms to the hierarchy of elements in the XML document. Access to the document is then through methods of the objects exposed to application programs through a programming interface. The methods provide a consistent interface to documents regardless of how the data associated with the documents is stored in memory. Consequently, the underlying content of XML documents can be stored using a distributed virtual object system that provides a mechanism for multiple processes to access each object. As an example of the benefits of such a storage manager, the storage manager may be used to maintain a telespace, such as may store information shared by multiple users participating in a collaboration session.

Abstract: A connection between a secure shared space and an external system is created with a connector tool. The connector tool code is included in an independent agent called a “bot” that is created by a software developer. Bots run in the background in an automated and unattended manner in a specialized enterprise integration server. Each bot has a unique identity and runs under an account assigned to the enterprise integration server. A bot can be invited to a shared space much as another collaborator. Bots can also invite others to shared spaces. All bots running in the enterprise integration server are administered by a centralized administrative control. This allows account and identity policies to be established and global behaviors, including authentication settings, startup options and scope to be determined centrally. The centralized control allows simple installation, configuration and deployment and administrative control of bot operation and access.

Abstract: Architecture is provided that facilitates user-controlled access to user profile information. A user is allowed to selectively expose (or mask) portions of his/her profile to third parties. Additionally, advertisers and/or content providers can offer incentives or enticement in response to the acceptance of which a user exposes larger portions of their profile. The architecture comprises a system that facilitates profile management utilizing a profile component that facilitates creation and storage of an electronic profile of a user, and a control component under control of the user for controlling access to the profile. Machine learning and reasoning is provided to make inferences and automate aspects thereof.

Abstract: Proper user-to-data associations are maintained in shared spaces created in a peer-to-peer collaborative system by means of a simplified and minimal user interface that permits users to easily authenticate other members of a shared space. In particular, support is provided for automatically building authenticated relationships even if users do not take the time to authenticate other users. When a user enters a shared space and views the contacts in that space, the display names of each contact are accompanied by distinctive icons that identify that authentication status of that contact. A mechanism is provided for resolving conflicts between contacts with the same display names to prevent confusion and contact “spoofing.” Security policies can be established to provide a uniform approach to authentication. These policies can be set by a user or, alternatively, the policies can be set by an administrator.

Abstract: A conventional operating system folder or directory based file system is implemented with, or enhanced to provide, attributes of shared collaborative workspaces. In particular, the conventional file system is connected to either a server based or a distributed collaboration system and the user interface of the operating system file system is augmented to allow it to control aspects of the collaboration system. Each folder or directory can be synchronized and treated as a “workspace” that can be viewed and shared with other users or groups of users. Folder can also be provided with “awareness” information that indicates collaborators that are present and those that are sharing the workspace.

Abstract: Systems and methods of distributed storage are disclosed herein. A request to store data in a client computer is received. A request is sent from the client computer to a storage service to create a core object such that the core object can be created with a member entry to a member feed in the core object. The member feed can be indicative of one or more entities that are permitted to access to the core object. A message is received at the client computer with the core object. A replica of the core object on the client computer is created. The client computer can add the data as a data entry to a data feed in the core object. An updating message is sent to the storage service. The message can include a copy of the replica of the core object including the data entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing synchronization of electronic postings are disclosed herein. A first pre-existing file item is identified in a first file system of a first computing device. A first posting can be received at the first file system. The first posting can a user-entered posting. The first posting can be associated with the first pre-existing file item in the first file system. A synchronization request can be sent to a second file system of a second computing device. The synchronization request causes the second file system to automatically create a second posting and to associate the second posting with a second pre-existing file item in the second file system. The second posting in the second file system is a synchronized copy of the first posting.

Abstract: A distributed, activity-based collaboration system employs a data change request priority scheme for determining an order of execution of data change requests in effecting changes to local copies of data so as to optimize data consistency for collaborative activities. The data change request priority scheme can entail encoding sequence number information and dependency information in the data change requests, responsive to which data changes can be made, unmade and remade to the data.

Abstract: As incoming communications are received, a priority or significance level can be assigned to each communication. A communication determined to have a high priority can be presented to a user at substantially the same time as receiving the communication. A communication having a low priority can be placed in a low priority folder or flagged differently from a high priority communication (e.g., different color-coding). Behavior of a user as it relates to a received communication can be observed for learning purposes or to modify one or more classifications or priority levels.

Abstract: Communications, such as emails or other information, in a work setting can be retained in a shared database that operates similar to an Internet social network. As work activities are performed, the content of the work activities can be associated with one or more shared databases based on the individual performing the activities, a common topic or theme associated with the activity and/or a manual entry. As various individuals review information contained in the shared database, notifications relating to who reviewed the content and a time of review can be sent to a contributor of the content to provide for accountability issues.

Abstract: A user entering information in an application might desire functionality not supported by that application. Based on an input or a subset of the input, a functionality associated with a different application can be automatically applied within a current application. Sometimes, a particular application or mode of communication can be used to send information and reply information can be sent in a different mode of communication. The communications can be automatically associated or related to each other. A user can be presented with information relating to both communications, upon request, although the communications might be associated with different modes of communication. Constraints or parameters can be placed on a subsequent communication by either a sender or a recipient.

Abstract: Members working on the same project can access similar resources at substantially the same time to facilitate active participation in the project. A meeting associated with the project can be given a unique identifier that can allow the project members to access a meeting or other content and view similar documents or other content as it is discussed in the meeting. As information is edited, modified, created, etc. the members can selectively be presented with the information. A common repository can provide the members with an area or platform in which the project material can be accessed, discussed or other functions performed by the project members, allowing for collaboration of the project details.

Abstract: Meeting attendees can have the resources available to participate in an efficient meeting regardless of where the attendees are located (e.g., across from each other or thousands of miles apart). Information can be gathered that relates to the attendees, the subject matter of the meeting or other information. In addition, relationships between attendees, if any, can be determined and displayed to the attendees to show the interrelatedness of the group. Various aspects during the meeting can also be observed and analyzed to allow the attendees to become more aware of the dynamics between individuals as well as the entire team.

Abstract: A user can receive content relating to a common topic, such as a project, through a radio-type interface. A frequency or other indicator associated with the project can be selected on a user device. The common topic can be presented to the user, based on the selected frequency and/or an authentication. Presented information can also be provided in a common format requested by the user or as a function of the rendering device. The common format can be facilitated by a conversion component that can change information from a first format to at least a second format. The information can also be presented in more than one format.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing data between endpoints, including the modification of data on an endpoint without necessarily modifying data that is communicated between endpoints are disclosed. In such systems and methods the representation of data on an endpoint may be modified so that constraints on that particular endpoint are enforced, without requiring a similar or the same modification to the data when it is synchronized to other endpoints.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and user interfaces for gathering and using awareness information with common awareness functionality accessible to multiple applications are disclosed. Such systems, methods, and user interfaces may aggregate awareness information from multiple sources and provide awareness data and other derived information to multiple destinations. In some implementations, such systems and methods may provide additional functionality related to awareness information, such as common user interfaces that display awareness information or mechanisms for determining the relevance of particular pieces of awareness information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing data between endpoints using elements of centralized and decentralized synchronization systems and communication topologies are disclosed. Such systems and methods may in some cases synchronize some subset of data with a centralized endpoint while another subset of data is synchronized in a decentralized fashion directly with other endpoints. Such systems and methods may include a variety of cooperative functionality to assist in the synchronization of data between endpoints.