Method and apparatus for automatically using a predefined peer-to-peer group as a context for an application

1. A method for automatically using a predefined networking group as a context for an application, comprising:

executing the application on behalf of a peer;

during execution of the application, looking up a predefined networking group to which the peer belongs, wherein looking up the predefined networking group involves automatically selecting the predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups and examining a networking library;

during subsequent execution of the application, using the predefined networking group as the context for the application,

wherein using the predefined group as the context for the application involves determining and using aspects of the execution environment in the selected predefined group with the application, and enabling the availability of group definitions and group activities for use within that application;

determining an attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein the attribute can include a product interest; and

configuring the application with the attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein configuring the application with the attribute can involve displaying banner advertisements associated with a product of interest,

whereby the application performs operations based on the context of the selected predefined group.

2. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the attribute may include one of a membership criteria, a special interest, an access level, a compression algorithm, and an encryption key.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing a user to select a predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the context of the application to facilitate sharing the application with a member of the predefined networking group.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined networking group can include one of:

a JXTA group;

an NFS group or domain;

a multicast group; and

a networking domain.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application can include one of:

a chat program;

a search engine;

a media player;

a business application;

a web browser; and

a game.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for automatically using a predefined networking group as a context of an application, the method comprising:

executing the application on behalf of a peer;

during execution of the application, looking up a predefined networking group to which the peer belongs, wherein looking up the predefined networking group involves automatically selecting the predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups and examining a networking library;

during subsequent execution of the application, using the predefined networking group as the context for the application,

wherein using the predefined group as the context for the application involves determining and using aspects of the execution environment in the selected predefined group with the application, and enabling the availability of group definitions and group activities for use within that application;

determining an attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein the attribute can include a product interest; and

configuring the application with the attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein configuring the application with the attribute can involve displaying banner advertisements associated with a product of interest, whereby the application performs operations based on the context of the selected predefined group.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 ,

wherein the attribute may include one of a membership criteria, a special interest, an access level, a compression algorithm, and an encryption key.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises allowing a user to select a predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises using the context of the application to facilitate sharing the application with a member of the predefined networking group.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the predefined networking group can include one of:

a JXTA group;

an NFS group or domain;

a multicast group; and

a networking domain.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the application can include one of:

a chat program;

a search engine;

a media player;

a business application;

a web browser; and

a game.

13. An apparatus for automatically using a predefined networking group as a context of an application, comprising:

an execution mechanism configured to execute the application on behalf of a peer;

an lookup mechanism configured to look up a predefined networking group to which the peer belongs, wherein looking up the predefined networking group involves automatically selecting the predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups and examining a networking library;

a configuration mechanism configured to use the predefined networking group as the context for the application,

wherein using the predefined group as the context for the application involves determining and using aspects of the execution environment in the selected predefined group with the application, and enabling the availability of group definitions and group activities for use within that application; and

a determining mechanism configured to determine an attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein the attribute can include a product interest;

wherein the configuration mechanism is further configured to configure the application with the attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein configuring the application with the attribute can involve displaying banner advertisements associated with a product of interest,

whereby the application performs operations based on the context of the selected predefined group.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the attribute may include one of a membership criteria, a special interest, an access level, a compression algorithm, and an encryption key.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the configuration mechanism is further configured to allow a user to select a predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the configuration mechanism is further configured to use the context of the application to facilitate sharing the application with a member of the predefined networking group.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the predefined networking group can include one of:

a JXTA group;

an NFS group or domain;

a multicast group; and

a networking domain.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the application can include one of:

a chat program;

a search engine;

a media player;

a business application;

a web browser; and

a game.

19. A means for automatically using a predefined networking group as a context for an application, comprising:

an execution means for executing the application on behalf of a peer;

a lookup means, wherein during execution of the application, the lookup means looks up a predefined networking group to which the peer belongs, wherein looking up the predefined networking group involves automatically selecting the predefined networking group from a list of predefined networking groups and examining a networking library; and

a context means, wherein during subsequent execution of the application, the context means uses the predefined networking group as the context for the application,

wherein using the predefined group as the context for the application involves determining and using aspects of the execution environment in the selected predefined group with the application, and enabling the availability of group definitions and group activities for use within that application;

a determining means for determining an attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein the attribute can include a product interest; and

a configuring means for configuring the application with the attribute of the predefined networking group, wherein configuring the application with the attribute can involve displaying banner advertisements associated with a product of interests,

whereby the application performs operations based on the context of the selected predefined group.