METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, SHARING, AND REPLICATING USER ACTIVITY THROUGH AN APPLICATION WORKFLOW

1 . A computer storing a data structure representing the activity of a user through an application running on the computer, where the data structure enables the activity to be replicated and is capable of replicating each of the following:

a search query entered in the user interface;

selection of an option in the user interface; and

branching in the application.

2 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the data structure is capable of replicating selection of a link presented by the computer in a user interface.

3 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the data structure is capable of storing annotations entered by a user.

4 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the data structure can replicate multiple instances of branching in the application.

5 . A method of capturing and replicating the activity of a user through an application running on a computer, comprising:

capturing, in a data structure stored on a first computer, the activity of a user on an application running on the first computer, wherein the activity comprises one or more of the following:

entering a search query in a user interface presented by the application;

selecting an option in the user interface; and

branching in the application.

replicating, on a second computer, the activity using the data structure.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

transmitting the data structure from the first computer to the second computer.

7 . The method of claim 5 , further comprises:

entering annotations in the user interface and storing the annotations in the data structure.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the activity comprises multiple instances of branching in the application.

9 . A method of capturing, replicating, and generating a visual representation of the activity of a user through an application running on a computer, comprising:

capturing, in a data structure stored on a first computer, the activity of a user on an application running on the first computer, wherein the activity comprises one or more of the following:

entering a search query in a user interface presented by the application;

selecting an option in the user interface; and

branching in the application.

generating, using the first computer, a first graphical representation of the activity;

replicating, on a second computer, the activity using the data structure; and

generating, using the second computer, a second graphical representation of the activity.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

transmitting the data structure from the first computer to the second computer.

11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

entering annotations in the user interface and storing the annotations in the data structure.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the activity comprises multiple instances of branching in the application.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the second graphical representation displays the annotations.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the transmitting step comprises sending a permalink.

15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the capturing step is initiated in response to a user command.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the capturing step is terminated in response to a user command.

17 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

storing the data structure in a server.

18 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

providing, on the second computer, the option of displaying graphical representations of one branch or multiple branches.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

entering annotations in the user interface and storing the annotations in the data structure.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the second graphical representation displays the annotations.