Abstract: A system updates a remote (server) database in a network. The network comprises a global server coupled to a local client and to a remote client. The local client includes a browser for establishing a communications link with a web server on the global server. The global server has server database memory for storing independently modifiable copies of workspace data maintained by personal information managers (PIMS) or other data stores on the local client and has PIM Downloadables for interfacing with these PIMs. The local client requests synchronization capability for a particular PIM. The global server sends a PIM Downloadable corresponding to the particular PIM to the local client, which installs and initiates execution of the PIM Downloadable. Accordingly, a user interface receives information designating a database containing the workspace data to be synchronized and information selecting a synchronization mode such as one-way replace, one-way merge or two-way synchronize.

Abstract: A system for communicating through a computer network. The system includes a communications engine for establishing a communications link with a server, a browser, coupled to the communications engine, for receiving applet information corresponding to a service from the server, and an applet engine for using the applet information to control user interface I/O of the service. The communications engine may confirm user access privileges before establishing a communications link between the client and the server. The communications engine receives configuration data, and configures client attributes using the configuration data to provide a user-specific user interface to the client. It will be appreciated that the system may be stored on a floppy disk or hard drive.