Abstract: A method for providing an activity management tool includes receiving a user request for an activity overview, and identifying installed applications and open windows of the installed applications. The method further includes presenting an activity overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of the installed applications. The second area includes the open windows of the installed applications, where the open windows are resized and positioned in such a way as to be simultaneously viewable by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning labels to desktop items is described.

Abstract: In response to a first message received at a desktop of a data processing system from a message source, at least a portion of the first message is displayed in an area along an edge of a desktop screen presented by the desktop. In response to a first signal indicating that a cursor has been positioned within a predetermined distance of the displayed first message, further detailed information of the first message is displayed by increasing size of the area towards the edge of the desktop screen in an animated fashion, including displaying an input field without launching a separate window or process to allow a user to respond to the first message. In response to a second message entered into the input field by the user, the desktop transmits the second message to the message source.

Abstract: A method and system for time-based organization of desktop items is described.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting, aggregating, and displaying type specific content in an inbox like view are described. An inbox manager collects information about data objects that are stored locally and stored remotely. This information may be stored as inbox information on a local computing system. Using the inbox information, the inbox manager creates an inbox view of merged inbox items from the local data objects and the remote data objects. The inbox view is configured to display the inbox items as being merged into a single view regardless of where the respective data objects are stored.

Abstract: A method and system to support multiple chains of authentication modules. The method may include receiving a user login request, and identifying multiple chains of authentication modules to be performed prior to allowing a user to login, where each chain of authentication modules is associated with a chain manager. The method further includes determining dependencies between chain managers, invoking the chain managers in the order defined by the dependencies, and responding to the user login request based on execution results of the authentication modules.

Abstract: A method for providing an activity management tool includes receiving a user request for an activity overview, and identifying installed applications and open windows of the installed applications. The method further includes presenting an activity overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of the installed applications. The second area includes the open windows of the installed applications, where the open windows are resized and positioned in such a way as to be simultaneously viewable by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic backup of desktop items is described.

Abstract: A method for providing an activity management tool includes receiving a user request for an activity overview, identifying currently running applications, applications that are likely to be run in the future, and open windows of the currently running applications. The method further includes presenting an activity overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of the currently running applications and the applications likely to be run in the future. The second area includes the open windows of the currently running applications, where the open windows are resized and positioned in such a way as to be simultaneously viewable by the user.

Abstract: A method for providing a workspace management tool includes presenting a workspace overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of favorite applications of a user, and the second area includes multiple regions, each region representing a different work space. The method further includes receiving, via the workspace overview GUI, a user request to open a new window for one of the favorite applications in a first work space, adding the new window to the first work space, and presenting the new window in a reduced form in a region representing the first work space without overlapping other open windows of the first work space.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting, aggregating, and displaying type specific content in an inbox like view are described. An inbox manager collects information about data objects that are stored locally and stored remotely. This information may be stored as inbox information on a local computing system. Using the inbox information, the inbox manager creates an inbox view of merged inbox items from the local data objects and the remote data objects. The inbox view is configured to display the inbox items as being merged into a single view regardless of where the respective data objects are stored.

Abstract: A computing device, computer readable storage medium, and method for migration of a physical machine to a virtual machine are disclosed. The computing device executes an operating system installer and generates a virtual disk image at a temporary location. The computing device copies data from one or more existing partitions on a storage device to the virtual disk image, wherein the one or more existing partitions include an existing operating system and associated data. The virtual disk image is stored at a temporary location. The one or more existing partitions are then replaced with a new partition on the storage device. A new operating system is installed on the new partition. The virtual disk image is moved to the new partition from the temporary location. The virtual disk image can then be loaded into a virtual machine that runs on the new operating system.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic backup of desktop items is described.

Abstract: A method and system for time-based organization of desktop items is described.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning labels to desktop items is described.

Abstract: In response to a first message received at a desktop of a data processing system from a message source, at least a portion of the first message is displayed in an area along an edge of a desktop screen presented by the desktop. In response to a first signal indicating that a cursor has been positioned within a predetermined distance of the displayed first message, further detailed information of the first message is displayed by increasing size of the area towards the edge of the desktop screen in an animated fashion, including displaying an input field without launching a separate window or process to allow a user to respond to the first message. In response to a second message entered into the input field by the user, the desktop transmits the second message to the message source.

Abstract: A method and system to support multiple chains of authentication modules. The method may include receiving a user login request, and identifying multiple chains of authentication modules to be performed prior to allowing a user to login, where each chain of authentication modules is associated with a chain manager. The method further includes determining dependencies between chain managers, invoking the chain managers in the order defined by the dependencies, and responding to the user login request based on execution results of the authentication modules.

Abstract: A computing device executing an operating system installer generates a virtual disk image at a temporary location. The computing device copies data from one or more existing partitions on a storage device to the virtual disk image, wherein the one or more existing partitions include an existing operating system and associated data. The virtual disk image is stored at a temporary location. The one or more existing partitions are then replaced with a new partition on the storage device. A new operating system is installed on the new partition. The virtual disk image is moved to the new partition from the temporary location. The virtual disk image can then be loaded into a virtual machine that runs on the new operating system.

Abstract: A method for providing a workspace management tool includes presenting a workspace overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of favorite applications of a user, and the second area includes multiple regions, each region representing a different work space. The method further includes receiving, via the workspace overview GUI, a user request to open a new window for one of the favorite applications in a first work space, adding the new window to the first work space, and presenting the new window in a reduced form in a region representing the first work space without overlapping other open windows of the first work space.

Abstract: A method for providing an activity management tool includes receiving a user request for an activity overview, identifying currently running applications, applications that are likely to be run in the future, and open windows of the currently running applications. The method further includes presenting an activity overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of the currently running applications and the applications likely to be run in the future. The second area includes the open windows of the currently running applications, where the open windows are resized and positioned in such a way as to be simultaneously viewable by the user.