Patent ID: 6862733

Claim:
In a distributed computer system having more than one computer connected through a network, a method for programmatically locating a remote file and building a shortcut for future reference to said remote file, said method comprising the steps of: a. creating a shortcut cache in a first computer in response to a request for said remote file if said shortcut cache does not exist; b. searching said shortcut cache in said first computer for a shortcut name for said remote file, and if not found; c. locating a shortcut directory for a current user in the system registry of said first computer, and searching said shortcut directory for said shortcut name, and if not found; d. locating a shortcut directory for all users in the system registry of said first computer, and searching said shortcut directory for said shortcut name, and if said shortcut is found; e. storing a shortcut containing data corresponding to location and name data of said remote file in said shortcut cache; and f. returning said location and name data of said remote file to the requestor; g. and if said shortcut name is not found in step d above, prompting the user of said first computer to provide location and name data for said remote file.