Abstract: Described is a system and method in which the account settings for managing (e.g., sending and receiving) data are maintained in association with the managed data, such that the account settings and data remain unified yet are independent of any computing device. In one electronic mail application implementation, the mail message data and the account settings are maintained in a common store of a same storage volume that is independent of the device, such as on a removable memory card. When a user connects the volume such as by inserting the card, the device automatically reads the email account settings, which are then used to properly receive or send any corresponding messages. Because the account settings are maintained in the same store with any related content (e.g., message) data, the settings and related data thus travel with the user/card when moved to another device.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for downloading information to a mobile device. The system and method provide a mechanism for selectively identifying the type of information that can be downloaded to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a user interface resident on the mobile device that allows user selection of the type of information. Alternatively, the mechanism includes a profile maintained on a server. The profile identifies the type of information, such as a file extension, that a particular mobile device supports. In addition, the type of information may be based on a file size associated with the information. Once the type of information is identified, the server downloads the identified type of information to the mobile device without downloading undesired types of information. Thus, the synchronization session is efficiently managed so that undesired information is not downloaded to the mobile device.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for filtering messages received by a message-handling program, that leverage the existing message-handling architecture of computer devices to trigger events and perform other actions instead of (or in addition to) displaying the messages to users. One or more rule clients, e.g., COM objects, register for processing messages. When an appropriate message is received, the message-handling mechanism passes the message to a rule client. Depending on how that rule client responds, the message-handling mechanism determines what to do with the message, e.g., discontinue the message. Messages that are not discontinued are passed to another rule client, if any, or displayed in the user interface, if not. Rule clients may be read only, or may have write access, to modify messages. Messages may be hidden from a user by a rule client, modified before being display to a user, or left intact.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for downloading information to a mobile device. The system and method provide a mechanism for selectively identifying the type of information that can be downloaded to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a user interface resident on the mobile device that allows user selection of the type of information. Alternatively, the mechanism includes a profile maintained on a server. The profile identifies the type of information, such as a file extension, that a particular mobile device supports. In addition, the type of information may be based on a file size associated with the information. Once the type of information is identified, the server downloads the identified type of information to the mobile device without downloading undesired types of information. Thus, the synchronization session is efficiently managed so that undesired information is not downloaded to the mobile device.

Abstract: Described is a system and method in which the account settings for managing (e.g., sending and receiving) data are maintained in association with the managed data, such that the account settings and data remain unified yet are independent of any computing device. In one electronic mail application implementation, the mail message data and the account settings are maintained in a common store of a same storage volume that is independent of the device, such as on a removable memory card. When a user connects the volume such as by inserting the card, the device automatically reads the email account settings, which are then used to properly receive or send any corresponding messages. Because the account settings are maintained in the same store with any related content (e.g., message) data, the settings and related data thus travel with the user/card when moved to another device.

Abstract: A requesting computer system accesses an identifier, which is representative of services (e.g. electronic mail or news groups provided over a network) that will be consumed by consumer modules included in a consuming computer system. The identifier may be received at a configuration computer system that contains configuration information associated with the consumer modules. Receiving the identifier causes a search of the configuration information contained in the configuration computer system. As a result of the search, the configuration computer system may identify configuration information associated with the network services that will be consumed. A configuration computer system may identify configuration information associated with itself or other external services providers. The configuration computer system causes the identified configuration information to be sent to the consuming computer system.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for downloading information to a mobile device. The system and method provide a mechanism for selectively identifying the type of information that can be downloaded to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a user interface resident on the mobile device that allows user selection of the type of information. Alternatively, the mechanism includes a profile maintained on a server. The profile identifies the type of information, such as a file extension, that a particular mobile device supports. In addition, the type of information may be based on a file size associated with the information. Once the type of information is identified, the server downloads the identified type of information to the mobile device without downloading undesired types of information. Thus, the synchronization session is efficiently managed so that undesired information is not downloaded to the mobile device.

Abstract: A requesting computer system accesses an identifier, which is representative of services (such as electronic mail or news groups) that will be consumed by consumer modules included in a consuming computer system. The identifier may be received at a configuration computer system that contains configuration information associated with the consumer modules. Receiving the identifier causes a search of the configuration information contained in the configuration computer system. As a result of the search, the configuration computer system may identify configuration information associated with the network services that will be consumed. A configuration computer system may identify configuration information associated with itself or other external services providers. The configuration computer system causes the identified configuration information to be sent to the consuming computer system.