Patent ID: 8312385

Claim:
A computer-implemented system for providing context-sensitive sidebar window display in a windowed operating environment, comprising: an electronic storage comprising a document comprising digital data; a user interface comprising an electronic desktop; and a computer comprising a processor and memory within which code for execution by the processor is stored, comprising: an application program on the electronic desktop that is operating on the document through an application window; and a sidebar window initially generated by the application program, comprising: contextual information relevant to the document that has been determined by a kernel; and a presenter presenting part of the contextual information based on a current state of the document in the application window, wherein the selected part of the contextual information is presented in the sidebar window positioned visually adjacent to the application window, and the contextual information presented in and the positioning of the sidebar window is continually updated in step with the current state of the document and the application window; and a single-button sidebar module presenting the sidebar window as a single button comprised of a plurality of graphics representing the current state of the document and varying a graphical appearance of the single button to show a value of one of a plurality of attributes of the contextual information associated with the document at a time, wherein the graphical appearance comprises changes of color and shape and the plurality of attributes of contextual information comprise an indication that annotations exist for the document, an indication that other versions of the document exist, an indication that a newer version of the document exists, an indication that the document has been bookmarked, an indication that the document has been sent as an email attachment, an indication that the document has been shared with other users, and an indication that other information is available on similar topics.