Abstract: The present invention provides multi-file transfer via instant messaging. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: selecting a plurality of files to be transferred; generating a collection descriptor describing the files; sending an instant message with a collection reference that includes the collection descriptor to a recipient; and upon receipt of the instant message, the recipient selectively retrieving at least one of the files.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing personalized alerts utilizing a user registry in instant messenger. A first client logs on to a server utilizing an instant messenger program. The first client selects at least one attribute that describes at least one user in a user registry. After selecting the attributes, the first client selects a personalized alert to associate with the selected attributes. If a second client with characteristics described by the selected attributes sends the first client a message, the assigned personalized alert will be activated.

Abstract: A method for managing instant messaging interruptions may include comparing at least one term in an instant message to a plurality of terms in a no-response-required (NRR) library. The method may also include representing the instant message as an instant message agent character (IMAC) in response to a match between at least one term in the instant message and at least one of the plurality of terms in the NRR library.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a method, system, and program product for synchronizing a group distribution list with a meeting invitation list is provided. The method includes: detecting in the meeting invitation list for any group distribution lists; monitoring the group distribution list(s); detecting any changes in the group distribution list(s); and updating the meeting invitation list with any changes that occurred to the group distribution list(s). The updating may be automatic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-updating email message. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: sending an email message to a recipient, the email message including encapsulated content; and selectively updating the email message in accordance with the encapsulated content when the email message is opened by the recipient.

Abstract: A method and program product for tracking a file attachment in an e-mail is provided. The method includes attaching one or more file attachments to an e-mail, selecting one or more return receipt properties for the file attachments attached to the e-mail, sending the e-mail to one or more intended recipients and writing to an e-mail data log file a set of details pertaining to the file attachments attached to the e-mail sent, such that a sender is able to track in the e-mail data log file any file attachments attached to the e-mail sent. Preferably, the method includes notifying the sender when either a delivery failure or a delivery discrepancy occurs for any file attachment attached to the e-mail sent to any intended recipients. More preferably, the method includes managing the set of details pertaining to the file attachments in the e-mail data log file.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for providing an instant messaging (IM) interface with dynamically generated message buttons. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: retrieving information from a user associated application; dynamically generating a message button based on the retrieved information and a user policy; and rendering the dynamically generated message button on the IM interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to message prioritization and provide a method, system and computer program product for audio-visual presentation of message prioritization in a human-to-human collaborative environment. In one embodiment, a data processing system for audio-visual presentation of prioritized messages in a collaborative environment can include a human-to-human collaborative system client, a data store of prioritized messages, and a table correlating display characteristics of user interface elements with message priorities for messages referenced by the data store. The system also can include prioritization and visualization logic which can include program code enabled to render each of the user interface elements with corresponding display characteristics consonant with priorities assigned to individual messages displayed in each of the user interface elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to securing the privacy of messages and provide a method, system and computer program product for sender managed message privacy. In an embodiment of the invention, a data processing system for sender managed privacy can include a sender messaging client coupled to privacy management logic and configured for communicative linkage to a recipient messaging client coupled to proximity detection logic over a data communications network. The privacy management logic can include program code enabled to secure a message designated for delivery in the recipient messaging client responsive to the proximity detection logic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to queued requests to establish human-to-human collaborative sessions and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for managing queued requests to establish human-to-human collaborative sessions. In one embodiment, a human-to-human collaborative data processing system can be provided which can include a messenger configured for coupling to other messengers. The system further can include a queue of incoming session requests to establish respective human-to-human collaborative sessions with requesters associated with the other messengers. Finally, the system can include queue management logic enabled to order the session requests in the queue according to queue rules coupled to the queue management logic.

Abstract: A second email application and a third email application receive copies of an email sent by a first email application. In response to receiving the copy of the email, the second email application sends status information about the second email application to the third email application. The third email application provides an indicator that status information about the second email application is available.

Abstract: A method for preparing and replying to multi-party e-mails is provided. The method includes opening an e-mail composition window in an e-mail application for generating an e-mail, specifying one or more recipients from a plurality of recipient groups for the e-mail, creating one or more response sections, identifying at least one recipient for each of the response sections, and sending the e-mail. The creating step further includes creating a general section in the e-mail. The method further includes selecting a delivery option from a plurality of delivery options for the e-mail prior to sending the e-mail and receiving one or more return receipts based on the delivery option selected in the e-mail sent. The method further includes selecting a response section in a received e-mail, and generating a reply to the response section in a reply e-mail composition window containing the response section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for web conference participant display render acknowledgment. The method comprises: providing shared information to at least one participant of a web conference; determining a screen rendering status of the shared information in a web browser of each participant of the web conference; obtaining the screen rendering status of the shared information from each participant; and displaying information regarding the screen rendering status of the shared information to a moderator of the web conference.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for inter-parties network computing. A policy management method can include establishing a set of policy terms for receiving content from a content provider based upon preferences selected by a content recipient externally to the content recipient and content provider. The method further can include enforcing the policy terms externally to the content recipient and content provider for content provided by the content provider for receipt by the content recipient. Notably, the establishing step can include mapping the selected preferences to the set of policy terms. The establishing step also can include exposing an interface to the content recipient, and accepting the selected preferences through the interface.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for utilizing statistics in a human-to-human collaborative tool. A method for utilizing group statistics for a group participating in a collaborative session can include collecting group statistics for a grouped set of participants designated to participate in a collaborative session and rendering the group statistics in a user interface in association with a hierarchical listing of participants in the collaborative session. The group statistics can include, for example, a distribution of status data for the participants in the group, a distribution of time zones for the participants in the group, and a distribution of geographical locations for the participants in the group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of instant messages in a queue. The method can include designating a recipient of a composed instant message. Responsive to determining that the recipient is in a state in which the recipient is not receiving instant messages, the composed instant message can be queued for deferred delivery. Subsequently, a state change can be detected in the recipient. Finally, responsive to the detection, the queued instant message can be forwarded to the recipient.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the policy based control of multiple message forwards. A method for policy based control of multiple message forwards can include reviewing a policy associated with a message to identify a set of recipients for a message. Responsive to a request to forward a substantially unmodified form of the message, the method also can include detecting based upon the reviewed policy an attempt to forward the substantially unmodified form of the message to a recipient who already has received the message.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for selectively blocking the transmission of an unsolicited instant message. The method of the invention can include receiving an instant message designated an intended recipient; locating the intended recipient in a do not instant message list; and, responsive to the location, blocking the instant message for subsequent transmission to the intended recipient. Notably, the blocking step can include the step of selectively blocking the instant message based upon a specified policy defined for the intended recipient.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for blocking unsolicited instant messages. A system for selectively blocking unsolicited instant messages can include an instant messaging client, at least one human sensory test and, a spim sentry. Notably, the spim sentry can be configured to selectively block an incoming instant message based upon an application of the human sensory test to a source of the incoming instant message. For example, the human sensory test can be a visual test where identifiable text is obscured in a picture. Also, the human sensory test can be an audible test where identifiable audio is obscured in an audio message.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for enhancing the audible presentation of addressing information disposed in content processed in a text reader. In an aspect of the present invention, a method for enhancing the audible presentation of addressing information disposed in content processed in a text reader can include translating the addressing information into text related to underlying content referenced by the addressing information, and audibly reading back the translated text in lieu of the addressing information.