Abstract: A scheduler is provided, which takes into account the location of the data to be accessed by a set of jobs. Once all the dependencies and the scheduling constraints of the plan are respected, the scheduler optimizes the order of the remaining jobs to be run, also considering the location of the data to be accessed. Several jobs needing an access to a dataset on a specific disk may be grouped together so that the grouped jobs are executed in succession, e.g., to prevent activating and deactivating the storage device several times, thus improving the power consumption and also avoiding input output performances degradation.

Abstract: A solution (300) for tracking computer software development (for example, based on UML diagrams) is proposed. In the solution of the invention, a completion coefficient is associated (312) with each activity concerning the development process (to indicate the effort required to complete it). The activities are organized into a tree (starting from a root node for the whole development process). In operation, a user tunes (333-336) a progress index for each micro-activity represented by a leaf node of the tree (to indicate its actual progress). The progress index of each macro-activity represented by a non-leaf node of the tree is instead calculated (357-360) by aggregating the progress indexes of its depending activities weighted according to the respective completion coefficients (with a recursive process down to the micro-activities). In this way, the progress of the development process can be tracked with an incremental approach at different levels of detail.

Abstract: A solution (300) for metering usage of software products on a data processing system is proposed. In this context, it is often necessary to known a processing power of each computer wherein a generic software product ran (for example, for licensing accounting based on differentiated charging rates). In the proposed solution, the processing power is estimated dynamically on the computer directly. For this purpose, a (single-threaded) benchmark program written in a low-level language is executed (308-322), such as at the startup or periodically. In this way, dividing (324) the measured execution time of the benchmark program by the known number of its instructions it is possible to determine an execution rate of a single microprocessor of the computer. This value multiplied (326) by the detected (306; 332) number of available microprocessors provides an accurate estimate of the processing power of the computer.

Abstract: A mechanism for reducing electronic mail (email) sizes by using a local archive of email components is provided. The mechanism receives the email file, the email file specifying a sender identifier of a sender of the email file, a recipient identifier of a recipient of the email file, and common component information for a common component included in the email file, the common component being a component of the email file that is common amongst a plurality of email files sent from the sender. The mechanism identifies the common component of the email file and determines whether to remove the common component from the email file before forwarding the email file to the recipient based on at least the sender identifier. Based on the determination, the common component is either removed or kept in the email file that is subsequently transmitted to the recipient computer.

Abstract: A mechanism for tracking statuses for multi-session meetings is provided. A list of meetings is received for the multi-session meetings from a moderator of the multi-session meetings. The list of meetings is loaded onto a shared storage device that is accessible by a plurality of participants. Responsive to the status of one meeting in the list of meetings changing, the change to the one meeting in the list of meetings is updated on the shared storage device. Responsive to the change to the one meeting in the list of meetings requiring a change in status to one or more other meetings in the list of meetings, the status of the one or more other meetings is changed.

Abstract: A mechanism for viewing a portion of a document that overflows a display portion area of an interface is provided. The document is opened using an application. The document is displayed in a display portion of the interface associated with the application. Portions of the document displayed in the display portion of the interface overflow the width of the display area and are obscured thereby forming obscured portions of the document. A determination is made as to whether a section of the document displayed in the display portion of the interface overflow is selected by a user thereby forming a selected section. Responsive to the selected section being one obscured portion of the obscured portions of the document, a separate display window is opened in which the selected section is displayed in its entirety without changing any viewing parameters associated with the interface.

Abstract: Mechanisms for performing an inventory scan of target data processing systems for ascertaining the presence therein of prerequisite resources are provided. The prerequisite resources are resources necessary for the execution, by the target data processing systems, of predetermined activities. The mechanisms may send to a target data processing systems a request for performing a selected activity of the predetermined activities and associate with the request at least one signature of at least one prerequisite resource different from the prerequisite resources required for performing the selected activity. The signature may include information allowing the target data processing system to locate where the prerequisite resource is to be searched for. Upon receiving, from the target data processing systems a result of the search of the prerequisite resource, the mechanisms may further update information to indicate the presence of the prerequisite resource in the target data processing system.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for workload categorization for detecting role changes in a host computing device. A workload characterization system for detecting role changes in a host computing device can include a transaction logging and change detection processor. The processor can be configured to log and detect role changes in the host computing device through an instrumentation monitoring interface to underlying applications supporting a workload based upon a comparison of workload patterns generated from logged transaction executions.

Abstract: A method and system for managing power consumption by electrical appliances, is provided. One implementation involves obtaining power consumption information for a use cycle of a each of multiple appliances; and automatically scheduling a time slot for an operation cycle of a selected appliance as a function of power consumption by appliance cycles scheduled in that time slot, such that an upper limit of power consumption is not exceeded by the collective power consumption for scheduled appliance cycles in the time slot.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically displaying electronic documents on a vehicle display screen, is provided. One implementation involves transferring an encrypted digital certificate to a control module in a vehicle, the vehicle including a display screen embedded in a window area of the vehicle, wherein the control module is configured for connection to the display screen; storing the digital certificate in a memory unit of the control module; automatically displaying information on the display screen by: retrieving the digital certificate from the memory unit of the control module; and upon validating the digital certificate in the control module, displaying said information associated with the digital certificate on the display screen.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically sharing performance information among multiple computing nodes. One implementation involves dynamically obtaining performance information from deployments of an information technology (IT) product/solution at said computing nodes, and transmitting the obtained performance information to a server over a communication network for storing the obtained performance information in a knowledge database. The server operates to dynamically determine new configuration information based on the information in the database, store the new configuration in the database, and provide the new configuration information to said deployments by transmitting the new configuration information over the network.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the availability of an application in a distributed data processing environment are provided. The performance aspects of application availability are defined in terms of easily observed and computed characteristics of the application as it behaves in a deployed environment with the deployed configuration. The system and method observe the application processes, the structural resources they require, and the consumable resources they require from the running system itself. These observations are then used to derive minimum requirements for the resource requirement aspects of availability as well as derive criteria for normal behavioral conditions. These minimum requirements and normal behavioral conditions are then used to establish monitoring rules or conditions for monitoring the operation of the application to determine if availability of the application is degrading such that a notification needs to be sent to an administrator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a navigation system. Navigation systems which are capable of gathering historical information concerning routes taken by a number of individual vehicles are known. Such systems rely on a central database to analyse and store the historical information of all the participating vehicles. The central database can therefore suggest an improved route to a vehicle based on the analysis of the information gathered from the participating vehicles. However, as the central database analyses historical information received from a number of different types of vehicles (e.g. delivery trucks, taxis, motorbikes etc.), the routes suggested by the system are often inappropriate for a specific type of vehicle. For example, a route which is appropriate for a motorbike is often not appropriate for a truck, and vice versa.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for aggregating service components in a data processing system according to predefined aggregation rules. The method includes providing a plurality of visual elements, each visual element representing a corresponding service component; selecting a new visual element for addition to an aggregation structure; determining a set of eligible visual elements of eligible service components among the instantiated service components; associating a visual cue with the eligible visual elements; and aggregating the new service component to a selected eligible service component in the aggregation structure. The new service component is compatible for aggregation with each eligible service component according to the aggregation rules. The aggregation structure includes an aggregation of instantiated visual elements of instantiated service components to define an aggregated service according to the aggregation of the instantiated service components.

Abstract: Embodiments monitor the participation of remote users to conference calls even when they are connected through simple telephone, i.e. without multimedia (or Internet) connection. In particular, an embodiment enables callers to monitor an up to date list of participants without the need of using a dedicated phone or connecting through a PC and a dedicated line to a central Conference Call system. This can be highly useful in case of travelling users who are expected to join the call from different places. Embodiments may not need a complex network infrastructure or network protocol change, since the information about the participant list can be transmitted over the normal phone line using a predetermined set of signals (e.g. an acoustic signal). Both the Conference Call server and the peripheral devices may refer to the same set of signals. Embodiments may be transparent to those users who do not wish to (or cannot) use the new functionality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for context-sensitive exchange of electronic information, is provided. One implementation involves maintaining multiple signatures for a sender; associating each signature with a recipient address or communication content pattern described based on a rule; sending an electronic communication to a recipient address by automatically selecting a most appropriate signature among the multiple signatures based on the recipient address or content pattern in the communication; and including the selected signature in the electronic communication.

Abstract: A scheduling method and system. The method includes receiving, by a computing system, job related data associated with a plurality of jobs to be executed by said computing system, time constraint data, and maximum time shift values associated with the time constraint data. The computing system determines that a start time for execution of a first job of the plurality of jobs should be rescheduled. The computing system receives workload statistics. The computing system determines based on the workload statistics, a first start time for the first job. The computing system compares the time constraint data with the first start time to determine if the first start time is in conflict with the time constraint data. The computing system stores the first start time.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a mechanism for recognizing and distinguishing between human would-be users of websites and automated agents attempting to gain unauthorized access to the website. More particularly, when a website server receives a registration request from a would-be user, a distorted image of a common object (e.g. a house, cat, etc.) is generated. The distorted image is shown to the would-be user, and the user must insert the correct name of the object depicted in the image to gain access to the website. By placing a limit on the time interval in which a user can provide a correct identification of the displayed object, this embodiment attempts to harness the conceptual and cognitive reasoning facilities of human users to distinguish them from automated agents. The challenge to the user is enhanced by restricting the correct identification to the language of the browser viewing the website.

Abstract: A solution is proposed for managing collaborative working sessions (for example, meetings). A corresponding method (600) includes the following steps under the control of a data processing system (420). At first, a set of working sessions is scheduled (606-612); each working session is to be attended by a plurality of participants; moreover, the working sessions require a set of common resources (for example, a meeting room). A communication address or more (for example, a mobile telephone number) is associated (615) with each participant. The method continues by signaling (618-630) an availability of the resources (for example, by dialing a service number and entering an identifier of a current meeting that is starting or an identifier of a preceding meeting that has just ended). In response thereto, the communication address associated with each participant to a current working session (being the first scheduled one still to be held) is retrieved (633).

Abstract: A solution for scheduling execution of jobs in a data processing system is disclosed. One method for implementing such a solution may start by providing a scheduling structure for scheduling the execution of jobs. Such a scheduling structure may include a workflow plan defining a flow of execution for planned jobs and/or a workflow model defining static policies for execution of modeled jobs. A set of rules for updating the scheduling structure is provided. The method may continue by updating the scheduling structure according to the rules, such as by adding or removing jobs for rules evaluated to be true. The execution of the jobs may then be scheduled according to the updated scheduling structure. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.