Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, create a viewport based on a selected region of a source window, determine data that is within the selected region, and display the data in the viewport. The source window is minimized to an icon, which represents the source window, but which is different from the data displayed in the viewport. In response to additional data being received, the additional data is displayed in the viewport if the additional data is within the selected region. In an embodiment, the additional data is compared to the data already displayed in the viewport, and if the additional data fulfills a notification criteria, a notification that the criteria was fulfilled is presented via a notification technique.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for determining and managing the impact, or probable impact, of electronic-mail messages on computer resources. In one embodiment, prior to sending a first electronic mail message to a plurality of intended recipients over a network, a prospective impact of the first electronic mail message on computer resources on the network should the first electronic mail message be sent is determined.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, calculate scores for cells within a program based on a speed at which the cells were presented and a frequency that the cells were presented. A cell includes one or more frames of presentable data. Chapters within the program are then determined and located within the program based on gradients of the scores that exceed a threshold. The scores are calculated based on incrementing a score for each cell each time the cell is presented and by different amounts depending on the speed at which the cell is presented. In an embodiment, the score is incremented by a larger amount in response to a slower presentation speed of the associated cell. In an embodiment, scores may be received from multiple clients where the program was presented, the scores may be aggregated for all the clients, and the chapters may be determined based on the aggregated scores.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, display a graphical representation of data that changes over time, create a region in the graphical representation, retrieve data from a database based on the region, and create a graphical representation of the retrieved data. In various embodiment, a profile is created and the data is retrieved based on the profile. The profile may include a schedule for retrieving the data, an identification of the region, an identification of a key, an identification of an x-axis, and an identification of a y-axis. In an embodiment, an union of multiple profiles is created, and data in the database that is not represented by the union is deleted. In another embodiment, regions that are adjacent in time are concatenated. In another embodiment, the creation of the graphical representation may be separated into multiple units of work for execution in a network if a workload at a computer exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable calibration of a display for a particular user thereof. An image displayed such as by an interactive system is adjusted based on physical attributes associated with the user or other characteristics of the user in order to customize the image being displayed. For some embodiments, change to the image includes dynamically resizing and/or repositioning a projected display based on the size and reach of the user to make items shown in the display such as menus or hyperlinks more easily accessible to the user. Input from a camera of the interactive system can be utilized to detect the attribute such as a height of the user for correlation to a typical reach of the user. In operation, the interactive system can therefore dynamically adapt to each unique user as different users approach and interact with the interactive system by automatic calibration of the image being displayed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, display icons representing search terms on a search graph, having at least one axis. The axis represents a search criteria. The position of the icon specifies a value (such as an importance or weight) of the search criteria. A search engine uses the search terms, the search criteria, and the value to conduct the search. The results of the search are displayed in a results pane, and the search results are updated as the positions of the icons on the search graph change. The search criteria associated with the axes of the search graph may also change. In this way, the user interface for the search is made easier for the user to control.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are provided for governing the transfer of data characterizing a user's behavior, physiological parameters and/or psychological parameters. One embodiment provides a method of handling a request, from a requesting application, for emotion data characterizing an emotional state of a user. A firewall ruleset defining rules governing the transfer of the emotion data to requesting applications is accessed to determine whether to provide the emotion data the requesting application. The request is denied if the firewall ruleset rules are not satisfied.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment count the number of times that a file or registry entry is added, changed, or deleted at clients in a network. If the count exceeds a threshold, then a warning is sent to the clients. The warning may prompt the clients to delete or rename the file or registry entry, run an anti-virus program, quarantine the file or registry entry, or issue a message. In this way, viruses may be detected at clients.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment determine whether a window meets a criteria. If the window meets the criteria, the window is sent to a personal digital assistant. If the window does meet the criteria, then the window is sent to a computer display. In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant is attached via a hinge to the computer and is capable of rotating via the hinge between a closed position atop a lid portion of the computer to an open position side-by-side with the lid portion. In this way, the display of the computer is viewable simultaneously with the personal digital assistant.