Systems and methods for providing configuration change information on a per setting basis

• US 20080209194A1
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dwita Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dwita Incorporated
• Inventors: Prabakaran, Senthil, McNamara, John A.
• Application Number:
  US11/710,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20080209194A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

Computer systems and methods are provided for presenting configuration change information on a per setting basis. This includes displaying one or more configuration settings, and receiving a user input that identifies a selected configuration setting. Configuration change information for the selected configuration setting is then displayed in response to the user input. In another aspect, a computer readable medium contains instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of providing configuration change information on a per setting basis.

Claims

1. A computer system that runs one or more computer programs, each computer program having one or more configuration settings, said system comprising:

a display;

means for changing configuration settings;

means for identifying a selected configuration setting;

a database of configuration change information; and

a processor coupled to said display, said means for changing, said means for identifying and said database, said processor being responsive to a user input identifying a selected configuration setting to cause said display to display configuration change information for said selected configuration setting.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said configuration change information includes previous states of said selected configuration setting.

3. The computer system of claim 2 wherein said selected configuration setting is displayed on said display in a given format and said previous states are displayed using said format.

4. The computer system of claim 2 further comprising means for reverting to one of said displayed previous states.

5. The computer system of claim 2 wherein said configuration change information further includes the date and/or time changes were made and the identity of users making changes.

6. The computer system of claim 5 wherein said configuration change information further includes user comments regarding changes.

7. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising means for displaying default states of said selected configuration setting.

8. A method of using a computer system to provide configuration change information on a per setting basis, said method comprising:

displaying one or more configuration settings;

receiving a user input that identifies a selected configuration setting; and

displaying, in response to said user input, configuration change information for said selected configuration setting.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said selected configuration setting is displayed in a given format and said configuration change information is also displayed in said format.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein displaying one or more configuration settings includes utilizing a visual indicator to indicate the presence of configuration change information for each configuration setting that has configuration change information associated therewith.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein displaying configuration change information for said selected configuration setting includes launching a user interface corresponding to said selected configuration setting.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said user interface displays a list of previous states for said selected configuration setting.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said previous states and said selected configuration setting are displayed using the same format.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said list of previous states includes an entry for each previous state, and each entry includes additional information about the corresponding previous state.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said additional information includes the date and/or time changes to said selected configuration setting were made and the identity of users making said changes.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said additional information further includes user comments regarding said changes.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein said user interface displays default states for said selected configuration setting.

18. A computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of providing configuration change information on a per setting basis, wherein said method comprising:

displaying one or more configuration settings;

receiving a user input that identifies a selected configuration setting; and

displaying, in response to said user input, configuration change information for said selected configuration setting.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein said instructions cause said selected configuration setting to be displayed in a given format and said configuration change information to also be displayed in said format.