Priority task list

1. A computer implemented method for presenting a priority task list for managing a computer network, the method comprising:

applying a plurality of priority task instantiation rules against network status information;

identifying a priority task instantiation rule that is satisfied by the network status information, wherein the priority task instantiation rule is associated with a network administration task;

responsive to identifying that the priority task instantiation rule is satisfied by the network status information, adding a user interface element to the priority task list, wherein the user interface element is associated with a user interface for accomplishing the network administration task;

responsive to selection of the user interface element, presenting the user interface for accomplishing the network administration task; and

upon receipt of an indication from a user to remove the user interface element from the priority task list, removing the user interface element from the priority task list.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

upon completion of the network administration task, removing the user interface element from the priority task list.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises an advisory that an online service should be considered for use in the computer network.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein network administration task is one out of a plurality of network administration tasks represented by a collection of stored task templates, the method further comprising:

updating the collection of stored task templates via a remote service.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

accepting a user indication of how frequently the collection of stored task templates is to be automatically updated.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an indication that certain tasks are to be omitted from being included in the priority task list.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the priority task instantiation rule is one out of a plurality of priority task instantiation rules associated with respective tasks.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

updating the priority task instantiation rules via a remote service; and

accepting a user indication of how frequently the priority task instantiation rules are to be automatically updated.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the priority task instantiation rules embody best practices for network administration.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the priority task instantiation rules comprise a rule regarding when to review software updates.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the user interface for accomplishing the network administration task comprises a user interface for approving software updates.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the priority task instantiation rules comprise a rule regarding when to review software license usage.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the priority task list further comprises a user interface element that, when selected, presents an ongoing software deployment task.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the priority task instantiation rules comprise a rule regarding when to check a computer due to repeated disk failure.

15. A computer implemented method for presenting a priority task list for managing a computer network, the method comprising:

applying a plurality of priority task instantiation rules against network status information;

identifying a priority task instantiation rule that is satisfied by the network status information, wherein the priority task instantiation rule is associated with a network administration task;

responsive to identifying that the priority task instantiation rule is satisfied by the network status information, adding a user interface element to the priority task list, wherein the user interface element is associated with a user interface for accomplishing the network administration task;

responsive to selection of the user interface element, presenting the user interface for accomplishing the network administration task;

receiving a preference indication from a user that a particular icon or color is to be used when displaying user interface elements for accomplishing the network administration task in the priority task list; and

responsive to receiving the preference indication, displaying the icon or color for the user interface element.

16. A system for presenting a priority task list for managing a computer network, the system comprising:

in one or more computer-readable media, a plurality of task templates, the task templates specifying respective user interfaces for accomplishing respective tasks;

in one or more computer-readable media, a plurality of priority task instantiation rules associated with respective task templates;

a rule evaluator configured to determine whether current computer network conditions satisfy any of the priority task instantiation rules; and

a priority task list user interface presenter configured to display a user interface element in a priority task list, wherein the user interface element is configured to present, when selected, a user interface for accomplishing a task specified in a task template associated with a rule determined to have been satisfied by the rule evaluator, and wherein the priority task list user interface presenter is configured to, upon completion of the network administration task, remove the user interface element from the priority task list.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the rule evaluator is further configured to consider usage patterns for the computer network when determining whether the rule is satisfied.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the rule evaluator is further configured to consider a profile for the computer network when determining whether the rule is satisfied.

19. One or more computer-readable media comprising:

a plurality of task templates, wherein at least one of the task templates is instantiable to present a user interface for accomplishing a task when invoked; and

a plurality of priority task instantiation rules, wherein the priority task instantiation rules are associated with respective of the task templates;

wherein the user interface for accomplishing the task comprises an advisory that additional licenses for a software product should be purchased and a user interface element for initiating purchase of additional licenses for the software product.