Abstract: Embodiments of the invention encompass a system for simplified implementation of adaptable/flexible user interfaces. The system may include: one or more frameworks; zero or more navigation modules; zero or more content modules; and a set of standardized flexible formatting specifications. The framework may include containers that zero or more navigation modules and/or content modules may be inserted into. The standardized formatting specifications may be used to specify how framework containers, and components inserted into containers, are to appear. The visual characteristics of the user interface may be changed by setting different attributes of the formatting specifications and/or inserting content and/or navigation modules into different framework containers.

Abstract: A calculation engine processes user-definable formulas to generate calculation results. A calculation engine may use the following types of data structures: table, column, row, and field. A sub table may be embedded within a row. Operations may be performed at various levels, such as at: table, column, and field. A calculation engine may operate on a calculation table having columns, which may each have an ordered list of formulas. Formulas within such an ordered list may be evaluated in the order specified until one of the formulas is successfully evaluated. A hierarchy of formulas may be formed by a column's formula depending on another column or table. A graph of data dependencies may be prepared for determining an order in which operands and operations should be evaluated and performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining at least one visual-display characteristic of at least one user-interface control are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a dialog template specifies at least one style selector for the at least one user-interface control. A transformation module extracts the at least one style selector from the dialog template. A style sheet defines at least one visual-display-characteristic value that is applicable to the at least one user-interface control and that is associated with the at least one style selector. A style sheet-parsing engine uses the at least one style selector to retrieve the at least one visual-display-characteristic value from the style sheet. And a user-interface-control-drawing module draws the at least one user-interface control in accordance with the at least one visual-display-characteristic value retrieved by the style sheet-parsing engine.

Abstract: An improved method and system for client-side caching that transparently caches suitable network files for offline use. A cache mechanism in a network redirector transparently intercepts requests to access server files, and if the requested file is locally cached, satisfies the request from the cache when possible. Otherwise the cache mechanism creates a local cache file and satisfies the request from the server, and also fills in a sparse cached file as reads for data in ranges that are missing in the cached file are requested and received from the server. A background process also fills in local files that are sparse, using the existing handle of already open server files, or opening, reading from and closing other server files. Security is also provided by maintaining security information received from the server for files that are in the cache, and using that security information to determine access to the file when offline.

Abstract: A calculation engine processes user-definable formulas to generate calculation results. A calculation engine may use the following types of data structures: table, column, row, and field. A sub table may be embedded within a row. Operations may be performed at various levels, such as at: table, column, and field. A calculation engine may operate on a calculation table having columns, which may each have an ordered list of formulas. Formulas within such an ordered list may be evaluated in the order specified until one of the formulas is successfully evaluated. A hierarchy of formulas may be formed by a column's formula depending on another column or table. A graph of data dependencies may be prepared for determining an order in which operands and operations should be evaluated and performed.

Abstract: An improved method and system for client-side caching that transparently caches suitable network files for offline use. A cache mechanism in a network redirector transparently intercepts requests to access server files, and if the requested file is locally cached, satisfies the request from the cache when possible. Otherwise the cache mechanism creates a local cache file and satisfies the request from the server, and also fills in a sparse cached file as reads for data in ranges that are missing in the cached file are requested and received from the server. A background process also fills in local files that are sparse, using the existing handle of already open server files, or opening, reading from and closing other server files. Security is also provided by maintaining security information received from the server for files that are in the cache, and using that security information to determine access to the file when offline.

Abstract: A calculation engine processes user-definable formulas to generate calculation results. A calculation engine may use the following types of data structures: table, column, row, and field. A sub table may be embedded within a row. Operations may be performed at various levels, such as at: table, column, and field. A calculation engine may operate on a calculation table having columns, which may each have an ordered list of formulas. Formulas within such an ordered list may be evaluated in the order specified until one of the formulas is successfully evaluated. A hierarchy of formulas may be formed by a column's formula depending on another column or table. A graph of data dependencies may be prepared for determining an order in which operands and operations should be evaluated and performed.

Abstract: An improved method and system for client-side caching that transparently caches suitable network files for offline use. A cache mechanism in a network redirector transparently intercepts requests to access server files, and if the requested file is locally cached, satisfies the request from the cache when possible. Otherwise the cache mechanism creates a local cache file and satisfies the request from the server, and also fills in a sparse cached file as reads for data in ranges that are missing in the cached file are requested and received from the server. A background process also fills in local files that are sparse, using the existing handle of already open server files, or opening, reading from and closing other server files. Security is also provided by maintaining security information received from the server for files that are in the cache, and using that security information to determine access to the file when offline.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing policy by accumulating policies for a policy recipient from policy objects associated with a hierarchically organized structure of containers, such as directory containers (sites, domains and organizational units) that includes the policy recipient. Based on administrator input, policy settings for the policy recipient may be accumulated into a specific order by inheriting policy from higher containers, which may enforce their policy settings over those of lower containers. Policy that is not enforced may be blocked at a container. The result is an accumulated set of group policy objects that are ordered by relative strength to resolve any policy conflicts. Policy may be applied to a policy recipient by calling extensions, such as an extension that layers the policy settings into the registry or an extension that uses policy information from the objects according to the ordering thereof.

Abstract: An improved method and system for client-side caching that transparently caches suitable network files for offline use. A cache mechanism in a network redirector transparently intercepts requests to access server files, and if the requested file is locally cached, satisfies the request from the cache when possible. Otherwise the cache mechanism creates a local cache file and satisfies the request from the server, and also fills in a sparse cached file as reads for data in ranges that are missing in the cached file are requested and received from the server. A background process also fills in local files that are sparse, using the existing handle of already open server files, or opening, reading from and closing other server files. Security is also provided by maintaining security information received from the server for files that are in the cache, and using that security information to determine access to the file when offline.

Abstract: An improved method and system for client-side caching that transparently caches suitable network files for offline use. A cache mechanism in a network redirector transparently intercepts requests to access server files, and if the requested file is locally cached, satisfies the request from the cache when possible. Otherwise the cache mechanism creates a local cache file and satisfies the request from the server, and also fills in a sparse cached file as reads for data in ranges that are missing in the cached file are requested and received from the server. A background process also fills in local files that are sparse, using the existing handle of already open server files, or opening, reading from and closing other server files. Security is also provided by maintaining security information received from the server for files that are in the cache, and using that security information to determine access to the file when offline.

Abstract: A centralized manager for managing the data synchronization operations for multiple applications according to user preferences. Applications register respective COM handlers with the synchronization manager via COM methods. On a synchronize event the synchronization manager queues the registered application handlers, and calls the handlers to perform the synchronization of items therein. Progress and results are communicated to a user-viewable dialog via callbacks from the handlers to the synchronization manager. The synchronization manager provides consistent user interfaces for obtaining user preferences related to synchronization and for presenting information to the user, thus resulting in a consistent user experience.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing policy by accumulating policies for a policy recipient from policy objects associated with a hierarchically organized structure of containers, such as directory containers (sites, domains and organizational units) that includes the policy recipient. Based on administrator input, policy settings for the policy recipient may be accumulated into a specific order by inheriting policy from higher containers, which may enforce their policy settings over those of lower containers. Policy that is not enforced may be blocked at a container. The result is an accumulated set of group policy objects that are ordered by relative strength to resolve any policy conflicts. Policy may be applied to a policy recipient by calling extensions, such as an extension that layers the policy settings into the registry or an extension that uses policy information from the objects according to the ordering thereof. Linking of group policy objects to one or more containers (e.g.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing policy by accumulating policies for a policy recipient from policy objects associated with a hierarchically organized structure of containers, such as directory containers (sites, domains and organizational units) that includes the policy recipient. Based on administrator input, policy settings for the policy recipient may be accumulated into a specific order by inheriting policy from higher containers, which may enforce their policy settings over those of lower containers. Policy that is not enforced may be blocked at a container. The result is an accumulated set of group policy objects that are ordered by relative strength to resolve any policy conflicts. Policy may be applied to a policy recipient by calling extensions, such as an extension that layers the policy settings into the registry or an extension that uses policy information from the objects according to the ordering thereof. Linking of group policy objects to one or more containers (e.g.