Abstract: A computer user interface may be used to create and maintain semantic relationships between data objects on a computer system. Multiple sets of data objects identified by user selections, queries, searches, or other criteria may be presented in display panes on the user interface. Users may then select data objects via the user interface in order to view or create new relationships between the data objects. Based on the selection of the data objects and a determination of the associated data object types, a set of semantic relationships applicable to the selected data object or objects may be retrieved and displayed in the user interface. A user may subsequently select and create an appropriate semantic relationship between data objects, thereby not only establishing an association between the objects, but providing a specific and useful meaning to the association.

Abstract: When displaying various types of information, an application may identify whether any related entities exist. For example, when displaying an e-mail message, the sender information may relate to a contact entity. As such, information associated with the contact entity may be displayed along with the message. The related entity data (e.g., contact entity data) may be displayed in a subregion of the display area corresponding to the parent entity data (e.g., an e-mail message information) and/or differentiated in various manners. An application interface may further be configurable to control an amount of related entity data that is displayed. A property picker system may also be used to allow a user to specify the properties that he or she wants to make available for display in the interface.