Abstract: Chronologically navigating among time-based entries stored by a physical computing device having a processor configured to execute a time-based application includes displaying, with the computing device, a time-based entry with at least one of a forward control and a backward control; in response to a user selecting the forward control, displaying with the computing device a subsequent time-based entry, the subsequent time-based entry including a shared property with the displayed time-based entry; and in response to the user selecting the backward control, displaying with the computing device a previous time-based entry, the previous time-based entry including a shared property with the displayed time-based entry.

Abstract: A request to change an addressee category of a received email is received by a computing device. An indication of a changed addressee category is also received by the computing device. The changed addressee category is propagated to one or more instances of the received email.

Abstract: A copy request is received that individually identifies an information element associated with a first unopened object to copy from the first unopened object. The individually identified information element is copied from the first unopened object. The information element copied from the first unopened object is stored to a memory.

Abstract: A request to change an addressee category of a received email is received by a computing device. An indication of a changed addressee category is also received by the computing device. The changed addressee category is propagated to one or more instances of the received email.

Abstract: A method for queuing conference participants by category includes, with a physical computing system, receiving requests from a number of conference registrants to attend a conference, with the physical computing system, placing each of the registrants into a number of queues based on a category assigned to the registrants, and with the physical computing system, allowing a number of the registrants from the queues to attend the conference such that the conference comprises a number of participants from each of the queues so as to meet predefined criteria.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a meeting, with computing systems in communication with a data network, includes: storing an identification of a prospective meeting participant's regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours on a memory device of a computing system; and with the computing system, generating a suggested meeting time within the regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours. A system for scheduling a meeting includes: a computing system programmed to store an identification of a prospective meeting participant's regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours on a memory device for use by meeting scheduling software, also stored on the memory device, for generating a suggested meeting time within the regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours.

Abstract: Chronologically navigating among time-based entries stored by a physical computing device having a processor configured to execute a time-based application includes displaying, with the computing device, a time-based entry with at least one of a forward control and a backward control; in response to a user selecting the forward control, displaying with the computing device a subsequent time-based entry, the subsequent time-based entry including a shared property with the displayed time-based entry; and in response to the user selecting the backward control, displaying with the computing device a previous time-based entry, the previous time-based entry including a shared property with the displayed time-based entry.

Abstract: A method is provided for promoting agenda awareness in a communication client. A system user's agenda of tasks with associated contact information is provided to the communication client. Matches are sought between the associated contact information from the agenda and a contact in a contact list in the communication client. Contacts matching the associated contact information and the tasks associated with the contact information are presented at a user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide the ability for a user to efficiently and automatically organize an email inbox without the lack of attention that can result from prior art methods by providing time-based organization rules and/or organization rules that may be executed after an email message has been viewed.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that establishes an first instant messaging session between two users. During the first instant messaging session, the first user composes an instant message. Before the first user can send the composed instant message to the second user, a detection is made that the second user has logged off of the instant messaging session. A draft of the instant message is saved at the first user's computer system onto a nonvolatile storage device. At a later time, a second instant messaging session is established between the two users. In response to the second instant messaging being established, the draft of the instant message saved on the first computer system is identified and retrieved from the nonvolatile storage device. The retrieved draft of the instant messaging is then sent from the first computer system to the second computer system.

Abstract: A method for indicating in a messaging client the status of a sent message. The method can include the steps of composing a message in a messaging client associated with a sender, sending said message to at least one recipient, receiving a status message from a messaging client associated with said at least one recipient, wherein said status message indicates a likelihood that said at least one recipient has read said message, and in response to receiving said status message, altering an indicia in said sender messaging client to indicate said likelihood that said sent message has been read by said at least one recipient.

Abstract: A method is provided for promoting agenda awareness in a communication client. A system user's agenda of tasks with associated contact information is provided to the communication client. Matches are sought between the associated contact information from the agenda and a contact in a contact list in the communication client. Contacts matching the associated contact information and the tasks associated with the contact information are presented at a user interface.

Abstract: Methods for selectively displaying portions of a hierarchical data set on an electronic display comprise the steps of displaying at least a portion of the hierarchical data set on an electronic display in a tree diagram format. Input may then be obtained from a user to identify one or more displayed nodes in the tree diagram that are to be hidden and/or one or more hidden nodes in the tree diagram that are to be displayed. Based on this input, at least one node in the tree diagram is partially collapsed and/or at least one node in the tree diagram may be partially expanded so as to display the hidden nodes identified by the user and so as to hide the displayed nodes identified by the user.

Abstract: A direction indicator for navigating within a web site is installed relative to a link shown on a web page within the web site. The direction indicator is surfaced prior to selection of the link in order to inform the user whether the link will take the user forward or backward within the web site. The direction indicator may comprise an arrow. The arrow points upward to indicate movement backward within the web site, and the arrow points downward to indicate movement forward within the web site. The direction indicator may be surfaced by hovering a pointing device over the link.

Abstract: The disclosed method enables a computer system user to efficiently modify attributes of objects displayed by the system and its software applications. Upon selection of a displayed target object by a user, a pop-up menu appears containing a ‘Set Attributes to . . . ’ option. Upon selection of that option by the user, the system cursor changes appearance, and the user is allowed to locate and select a source object separate from the target object (potentially, in a stored file or display window separate from the file and window containing the target object). Upon selection of the source object by the user, the attributes of the source object are immediately transferred to the target object, the display window containing the target object reappears (if it had been hidden by the action of locating the source object), and the display cursor appearance reverts to its normal form.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product automatically determines that a communication request addressed to a remote data processing system may be expected and, in response, automatically establishes a connection to the remote data processing system, thereby causing the time interval for establishing the connection to elapse prior to transmission or reception of the communication request. Thereafter, a communication request is forwarded to the remote data processing system via the connection.

Abstract: Methods for selectively displaying portions of a hierarchical data set on an electronic display comprise the steps of displaying at least a portion of the hierarchical data set on an electronic display in a tree diagram format. Input may then be obtained from a user to identify one or more displayed nodes in the tree diagram that are to be hidden and/or one or more hidden nodes in the tree diagram that are to be displayed. Based on this input, at least one node in the tree diagram is partially collapsed and/or at least one node in the tree diagram may be partially expanded so as to display the hidden nodes identified by the user and so as to hide the displayed nodes identified by the user.

Abstract: A user may easily select a desired day and month in an electronic calendaring system. The user selects a number representing the desired day from a calendar displayed by the electronic calendaring system. The user is then automatically presented with a list of all the months of a year. The user then selects the desired month from the list, and the user is presented with a visual representation of the desired day and month. The user may select the number representing the desired day by right clicking with a pointing device. Additionally, the automatic presentation of a list of all the months of a year may comprise presenting the user with a pop-up menu.

Abstract: The disclosed method enables a computer system user to efficiently modify attributes of objects displayed by the system and its software applications. Upon selection of a displayed target object by a user, a pop-up menu appears containing a ‘Set Attributes to . . . ’ option. Upon selection of that option by the user, the system cursor changes appearance, and the user is allowed to locate and select a source object separate from the target object (potentially, in a stored file or display window separate from the file and window containing the target object). Upon selection of the source object by the user, the attributes of the source object are immediately transferred to the target object, the display window containing the target object reappears (if it had been hidden by the action of locating the source object), and the display cursor appearance reverts to its normal form.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing recipients of electronic communication on a data processing system utilizing the recipient's electronic addresses. Electronic communication is first addressed to at least two recipients with corresponding recipient addresses. Then specific characteristics, from among a plurality of characteristics, are linked to one or more of the recipient addresses, wherein the characteristic serves to distinguish the recipient's communication from the communication of other recipients. When the communication is sent the recipient receives his communication along with the characteristics assigned it.