Accessible limited distribution release software change catalog

1. A method for providing limited distribution release software changes, said method comprising:

mapping a first set of client privileges to the limited distribution release software changes in a catalog configured for maintaining both a store of limited distribution release software changes, and a store of globally distributed releases;

receiving a request from a client to develop at least one new limited distribution release software change;

developing the new limited distribution release software change;

adding the newly developed limited distribution release software change to the catalog configured for maintaining the store of limited distribution release software changes;

updating the first set of client privileges to the catalog to yield a second set of client privileges;

notifying the client that the newly developed limited distribution release software change has been added to the catalog;

receiving the credentials from a client cookie, said client seeking the newly developed limited distribution release software change from the catalog;

authenticating the client using the credentials;

receiving acknowledgment from the client of confidentiality and licensing duties related to the newly developed limited distribution release software change from the client;

mapping the second set of client privileges to limited distribution release software changes in the catalog configured for maintaining both the store of limited distribution release software changes, and the store of globally distributed releases;

providing the client with an interface via a data communication network for accessing the catalog based on the mapped second set of client privileges to gain access to the newly developed limited distribution release software change;

querying the catalog for the newly developed limited distribution release software change in response to receiving a search request from the client via the interface, the client being able to access both the store of limited distribution release software changes and the store of globally distributed releases;

providing the query result identifying the newly developed limited distribution release software change to the client based on the mapped second set of privileges, wherein the query result is filtered according to a screening criteria, wherein said providing the query result further includes providing the client, along with the query result, additional software updates other than the newly developed limited distribution release software change, said additional software updates being related to the client;

detecting if the client has an update service installed,

providing the client with the option to use the installed update service to access the newly developed limited distribution release software change where the update service is detected;

providing the client with the option to save the newly developed limited distribution release software change to a file system where the update service is not detected; and

providing the newly developed limited distribution release software change via the installed service if the client elects to use the update service where the update service is detected.

2. The method of claim 1 , said method further comprising storing the limited distribution release software changes in numerical form.

3. The method of claim 1 , said method further comprising storing the limited distribution release software changes in binary form.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said catalog is adapted to be readily imported into other application software.

5. The method of 4 wherein the other application software comprises a system administration software.

6. The method of 4 wherein the catalog is adapted to be integrated with the update service software.

7. The method of 4 further comprising providing a query result identifying globally distributed releases simultaneously with the newly developed limited distribution release software change.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said filtering according to a screening criteria further comprises removing data not suitable for the client.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein data not suitable for the client comprises data the client is not authorized to receive.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein data not suitable for the client comprises data associated with limited distribution release software changes if the search request contains only data associated with globally distributed releases.