Setting alert thresholds in the context of a real-time dashboard chart

1. A method comprising:

generating a two-dimensional chart that includes at least a first event threshold bar and a second event threshold bar, wherein an event threshold bar is a graphical line corresponding to a numerical threshold value that extends from a location along an axis of said two-dimensional chart, wherein said numerical threshold value for a particular event threshold bar corresponds to a current position of said particular event threshold bar, wherein at an end of each event threshold bar there is located a graphically textured handle and a displayed value corresponding to said numerical threshold value adjacent to said graphically textured handle, wherein said first event threshold bar is initially positioned at a first default location, and wherein said second event threshold bar is initially positioned at a second default location;

wherein:

each of said event threshold bars further comprises a unique identification symbol located next to said graphically-textured handle and said displayed value;

each unique identification symbol is a unique predefined shape from among a triangle, a circle, a square, a diamond, and a star; and

each unique identification symbol is distinguishable from any other unique identification symbols of other event threshold bars within the two-dimensional chart;

dynamically updating, within said two-dimensional chart, a graphical line of real-time event data corresponding to an input signal, wherein said first and second event threshold bars are displayed concurrently with said real-time event data in said two-dimensional chart;

in response to a click and drag input while a cursor is located over said graphically-textured handle of said first event threshold bar:

moving said first event threshold bar from an initial position to a new location; and

during said moving of said first event threshold bar, marking a point of reference within said two-dimensional chart of said initial position of said first event threshold bar, wherein said initial position is a visually distinguishable shadowed image of said first event threshold bar that remains stationary while an original image of said first event threshold bar moves within the two-dimensional chart in response to said click and drag input of said graphically-textured handle;

in response to a determination that said real-time event data has exceeded a first event threshold value that corresponds to a current position of said first event threshold bar, executing a first pre-defined response function; and

in response to a determination that said real-time event data has exceeded a second event threshold value that corresponds to a current position of a second event threshold bar, executing a second pre-defined response function.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to a click and drag input while a cursor is located over a graphically-textured handle located on an end of said first event threshold bar, updating said numerical threshold value.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first default location and said second default location are based on one or more of:

a historical minimum value of said real-time event data; and

a historical maximum value of said real-time event data.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each pre-defined response function includes performing an automated shutdown of a computer and one or more of:

generating a short message service (SMS) notification;

performing an automated shutdown of a computer;

performing an automated shutdown of a peripheral device; and

adding an error notification to a log stored within a memory.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said input signal is received from one of a network via a network interface or an input/output (I/O) interface.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said initial position further comprises at least one of a dimmed image and a faded image of said first event threshold bar.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each pre-defined response function includes performing an automated shutdown of a computer and generating an email notification.

8. A computer system comprising:

a processor unit;

a memory coupled to said processor unit; and

an application program within said memory, wherein said application program displays a graphical user interface (GUI), and wherein said application program when executed on said processor unit causes said processor unit to:

generate a two-dimensional chart that includes at least a first event threshold bar and a second event threshold bar, wherein an event threshold bar is a graphical line corresponding to a numerical threshold value that extends from a location along an axis of said two-dimensional chart, wherein said numerical threshold value for a particular event threshold bar corresponds to a current position of said particular event threshold bar, wherein at an end of each event threshold bar there is located a graphically textured handle and a displayed value corresponding to said numerical threshold value adjacent to said graphically textured handle, wherein said first event threshold bar is initially positioned at a first default location, and wherein said second event threshold bar is initially positioned at a second default location;

wherein:

each of said event threshold bars further comprises a unique identification symbol located next to said graphically-textured handle and said displayed value;

each unique identification symbol is a unique predefined shape from among a triangle, a circle, a square, a diamond, and a star; and

each unique identification symbol is distinguishable from any other unique identification symbols of other event threshold bars within the two-dimensional chart;

dynamically update, within said two-dimensional chart, a graphical line of real-time event data corresponding to an input signal, wherein said first and second event threshold bars are displayed concurrently with said real-time event data in said two-dimensional chart;

in response to a click and drag input while a cursor is located over said graphically-textured handle of said first event threshold bar:

move said first event threshold bar from an initial position to a new location; and

during said moving of said first event threshold bar, mark a point of reference within said two-dimensional chart of said initial position of said first event threshold bar, wherein said initial position is a visually distinguishable shadowed image of said first event threshold bar that remains stationary while an original image of said first event threshold bar moves within the two-dimensional chart in response to said click and drag input of said graphically-textured handle;

in response to a determination that said real-time event data has exceeded a first event threshold value that corresponds to a current position of said first event threshold bar, execute a first pre-defined response function; and

in response to a determination that said real-time event data has exceeded a second event threshold value that corresponds to a current position of a second event threshold bar, execute a second pre-defined response function.

9. The computer system of claim 8 , said application program further causes said processing unit to:

in response to a click and drag input while a cursor is located over a graphically-textured handle located on an end of said first event threshold bar, updating said numerical threshold value.

10. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein said first default location and said second default location are based on one or more of:

a historical minimum value of said real-time event data; and

a historical maximum value of said real-time event data.

11. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein each pre-defined response function causes the application to perform an automated shutdown of a computer and perform one or more of:

generate a short message service (SMS) notification;

perform an automated shutdown of a peripheral device; and

add an error notification to a log stored within a memory.

12. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein said input signal is received from one of a network via a network interface or an input/output (I/O) interface.

13. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein said initial position further comprises at least one of a dimmed image and a faded image of said first event threshold bar.

14. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer storage device; and

program code on said non-transitory computer storage device that when executed on a machine causes said machine to perform the functions of:

generating a two-dimensional chart that includes at least a first event threshold bar and a second event threshold bar, wherein an event threshold bar is a graphical line corresponding to a numerical threshold value that extends from a location along an axis of said two-dimensional chart, wherein said numerical threshold value for a particular event threshold bar corresponds to a current position of said particular event threshold bar, wherein at an end of each event threshold bar there is located a graphically textured handle and a displayed value corresponding to said numerical threshold value adjacent to said graphically textured handle, wherein said first event threshold bar is initially positioned at a first default location, and wherein said second event threshold bar is initially positioned at a second default location;

wherein:

each of said event threshold bars further comprises a unique identification symbol located next to said graphically-textured handle and said displayed value;

each unique identification symbol is a unique predefined shape from among a triangle, a circle, a square, a diamond, and a star; and

each unique identification symbol is distinguishable from any other unique identification symbols of other event threshold bars within the two-dimensional chart;

dynamically updating, within said two-dimensional chart, a graphical line of real-time event data corresponding to an input signal, wherein said first and second event threshold bars are displayed concurrently with said real-time event data in said two-dimensional chart;

in response to a click and drag input while a cursor is located over said graphically-textured handle of said first event threshold bar:

moving said first event threshold bar from an initial position to a new location; and

during said moving of said first event threshold bar, marking a point of reference within said two-dimensional chart of said initial position of said first event threshold bar, wherein said initial position is a visually distinguishable shadowed image of said first event threshold bar that remains stationary while an original image of said first event threshold bar moves within the two-dimensional chart in response to said click and drag input of said graphically-textured handle;

in response to a determination that said real-time event data has exceeded a first event threshold value that corresponds to a current position of said first event threshold bar, executing a first pre-defined response function; and

in response to a determination that said real-time event data has exceeded a second event threshold value that corresponds to a current position of a second event threshold bar, executing a second pre-defined response function.

15. The computer program product of claim 14 , said program code further comprising program code that causes said machine to perform the functions of:

in response to a click and drag input while a cursor is located over a graphically-textured handle located on an end of said first event threshold bar, updating said numerical threshold value.

16. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein said first default location and said second default location are based on one or more of:

a historical minimum value of said real-time event data; and

a historical maximum value of said real-time event data.

17. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein:

each pre-defined response function causes said machine to perform an automated shutdown of a computer and perform one or more of:

generating a short message service (SMS) notification;

performing an automated shutdown of a peripheral device; and

adding an error notification to a log stored within a memory; and

said input signal is received from one of a network via a network interface or an input/output (I/O) interface.

18. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein said initial position further comprises at least one of a dimmed image and a faded image of said first event threshold bar.