List display with redundant text removal

1. A computer-implemented method for list display with redundant text removal, the method comprising:

firstly displaying within a list display area on a computer display at least a portion of a first text item;

secondly displaying in said list display area of said display at least a portion of a second text item; and

thirdly displaying in said list display area of said display at least a portion of a third text item,

wherein a first portion of each of said second and third text items that is common to said first, second, and third text items is replaced with a first abbreviation indicator, and

wherein a second portion of said third text item that is common to said second and third text items and that is exclusive of said first portion is replaced with a second abbreviation indicator.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said firstly displaying step comprises displaying said first item starting with the first character of said first item and continuing either until said first item is fully displayed or until no more of said first item can fit within the width of said display area.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said secondly displaying step comprises displaying said first abbreviation indicator followed by one or more characters of said second item past said first portion.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said secondly displaying step comprises secondly displaying if the width of said display area is insufficient to accommodate the display of said second item in its entirety.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said thirdly displaying step comprises thirdly displaying wherein said second abbreviation indicator is followed by one or more characters of said third item past said second portion.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said thirdly displaying step comprises thirdly displaying wherein said second abbreviation indicator is preceded by one or more characters of said third item preceding said second portion.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said secondly displaying step comprises secondly displaying wherein said first abbreviation indicator is immediately followed by the beginning of a word.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said secondly displaying step comprises secondly displaying before said first abbreviation indicator one or more characters of said second item starting with the first character of said second item.

9. A list display system with redundant text removal, the system comprising:

a computer configured to provide a list display area on a computer display; and

a list display formatter configured to

display within said list display area at least a portion of a first text item,

display in said list display area at least a portion of a second text item; and

display in said list display area at least a portion of a third text item,

wherein said list display formatter is configured to replace a first portion of each of said second and third text items that is common to said first, second, and third text items with a first abbreviation indicator, and

wherein said list display formatter is configured to replace a second portion of said third text item that is common to said second and third text items and that is exclusive of said first portion with a second abbreviation indicator.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said formatter is configured to display said first item starting with the first character of said first item and continuing either until said first item is fully displayed or until no more of said first item can fit within the width of said display area.

11. A system according to claim 9 wherein said formatter is configured to display said first abbreviation indicator followed by one or more characters of said second item past said first portion.

12. A system according to claim 9 wherein said formatter is configured to display said second item if the width of said display area is insufficient to accommodate the display of said second item in its entirety.

13. A system according to claim 9 wherein said formatter is configured to display said third item wherein said second abbreviation indicator is followed by one or more characters of said third item past said second portion.

14. A system according to claim 9 wherein said formatter is configured to display said third item wherein said second abbreviation indicator is preceded by one or more characters of said third item preceding said second portion.

15. A system according to claim 9 wherein said formatter is configured to display said second item wherein said first abbreviation indicator is immediately followed by the beginning of a word.

16. A computer-readable medium embodying a computer-implemented program, the computer-readable medium comprising:

a first code segment operative to firstly within a list display area on a computer display at least a portion of a first text item;

a second code segment operative to secondly display in said list display area of said display at least a portion of a second text item; and

a third code segment operative to thirdly display in said list display area of said display at least a portion of a third text item,

wherein a first portion of each of said second and third text items that is common to said first, second, and third text items is replaced with a first abbreviation indicator, and

wherein a second portion of said third text item that is common to said second and third text items and that is exclusive of said first portion is replaced with a second abbreviation indicator.