Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for improving validation of data. Validation is coupled with, or encapsulated with, the data values to which the data validation pertains, thereby becoming a part of the data model itself. This approach enables real-time data validation, as a user interacts with a data model through an executing application or GUI window interface. In some embodiments, the data model (and the encapsulated validation) is expressed using markup language notation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective routing of a multi-recipient communication from an origin domain to a destination domain within a communications network. An exit routing station added to the origin domain receives a datagram including content data intended for multi-recipient delivery in the destination domain. The exit routing station modifies the datagram for routing to the destination domain, and transmits it to the entry routing station. This enables delivery to the destination domain by other than multi-recipient techniques. An entry routing station added to the destination domain modifies the datagram for multi-recipient delivery in the destination domain and initiates multi-recipient delivery. The destination domain's entry routing station may modify the datagram with information specific to the destination domain and unknown to the origin domain.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for improving installation of software suites by including topological information pertaining to the run-time environment of products in the suite. A model and framework are described, where the objects of the data model include one or more preferred topologies. A template may be provided for each topology, with which an installer enters data values for customizing this topology. The approach disclosed herein enables more efficient and flexible software installation than is available in the prior art, by adapting the installation process for a particular topology of a destination run-time environment. Using the disclosed techniques, a solution builder is able for the first time to enforce or recommend the topology which is most efficient for this end solution. (For example, the solution builder may specify the types of machines which comprise a preferred run-time environment for the software products in the suite.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for improving installation of software suites by automatically and dynamically obtaining information pertaining to the heterogeneous run-time environment in which the suite will be installed, and using this information as input to a rules engine which evaluates rules to dynamically select a predetermined topology-specific configuration of the suite. The software installation process is thereby adapted and configured dynamically based on the unique topology of the environment in which the suite is being installed, yet the burden on the software installer to understand the intricacies of his run-time environment (and to reflect those details in the suite customization process) is greatly reduced. Software installation is therefore quicker, easier, and less error-prone than in prior art approaches.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for improving installation of software packages using a directory (such as a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, or “LDAP”, directory). A model and framework are described, where the objects of the data model may be uncoupled from the framework, allowing individual objects to be separately stored and retrieved in the directory is association with access rights or privileges. Multiple versions of each object may therefore be created and stored, and may be easily retrieved using the built-in mechanisms of the directory, when access rights which are appropriate for a particular requester are known. Optionally, built-in authentication mechanisms of the directory may be used to authenticate the requester.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for improving installation of software packages using an incremental conditional installation process (and optionally, caching of installation components). An object model is disclosed which enables specification of the conditional installation information as one or more elements of the model (and therefore of an object, document, etc., which is created according to the model). Conditional installation information may be defined at a suite level and/or at a component level. The identified checking process then executes to determine whether the corresponding suite or component should be installed. One or more components may be cached, if desired. Resource utilization is improved using the conditional installation and optional caching techniques, enabling reductions in disk space usage, CPU consumption, and/or networking bandwidth consumption.

Abstract: An analog to a gravitational force field is generated mathematically to operate between a displayed selection pointer and a graphical user interface (GUI) widget. Under this scheme, the widget has an associated mass value m that is user selectable. To select the mass value, the user can trigger an event, such as a predefined mouse click or pop-up menu, that presents a user interface for entering the widget mass value. By varying the mass value of the widget, a user can vary the effective force boundary surrounding the widget on a display screen, and thus, vary the degree of interaction between the widget and selection pointer.

Abstract: On a display screen, the visual size of a graphical user interface (GUI) widget is scaled based on the distance between the GUI widget and a displayed selection pointer, such as an arrow pointer controlled by a mouse. As the selection pointer is moved toward or away from the widget, the widget changes size. This permits the widget to display additional information, such as icon text, as a user moves a selection pointer closer to the widget.

Abstract: A pre-selection indicator for a graphical user interface (GUI) widget is displayed when a selection pointer is moved within a field of influence associated with the GUI widget on a display screen. The field of influence for the widget extends beyond the visual display area of the widget. To determine the field of influence, an analog to a gravitational force field is generated mathematically to operate between the displayed selection pointer and the widget. The pre-selection indicator can be a visual aura associated with the displayed widget, or the displayed widget can be visually enlarged to the boundary of the field of influence surrounding the widget.