System and method for invocation of streaming application

A method for opening a data file, the method comprising:

• receiving first information indicative of a request to open a data file, wherein the data file comprises a file type that is not associated with the identification of a locally installed application capable of opening said file type;
• determining if there is stored on a remote server a published application capable of opening said file type;
• and
• requesting at least a streamed portion of the published application.

A method for opening a data file with a streaming application, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal indicative of a request to open a data file, wherein the data file is associated with a file type;
• determining if there is stored on a remote server a published application capable of opening files of said file type;
• and
• requesting at least a streamed portion of the published application.

A computer system for invoking a streaming application in response to a data file selection, the computer system comprising:

• a data file having a file extension;
• a first database capable of storing first associations between a first plurality of file extensions and a plurality of locally installed applications;
• an operating system capable of receiving a user selection of the data file, the operating system further configured to generate a first signal if the data file file extension is not identified in the first associations;
• a second database capable of storing second associations between a second plurality of file extensions and a plurality of published applications stored on a remote server;
• and
• a streaming application module configured to receive the first signal and, in response to receiving the first signal, determine if a valid subscription exists for an identified published application if a second association exists between the data file file extension and the identified published application, wherein the streaming application module is further configured to request that at least a portion of the identified published application be streamed from the remote server if a valid subscription exists.

A system for opening a data file with a streaming application, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a first signal indicative of a request to open a data file, wherein the data file is associated with a file type;
• means for determining if there is stored on a remote server a published application capable of opening data files with said file type;
• and
• means for requesting at least a streamed portion of the published application.

A method of providing a search result to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving a search request from a user;
• reviewing a file type of a search result;
• determining if an association exists between the search result file type and an identification of a published application;
• providing the search result to the user;
• and
• providing an option to the user to stream at least a portion of the published application if said association exists.