Method of scheduling calendar entries via an instant messaging interface

A data processing system for scheduling calendar entries within a context of an instant messaging client, the data processing system comprising:

• a bus;
• a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code;
• at least one managed device connected to the bus;
• a communications unit connected to the bus;
• and
• a processing unit connected to the bus, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable code to receive input from a user to schedule an instant messaging chat session with one or more invitees, wherein the one or more invitees are selected from a list of contacts in the instant messaging client, provide a scheduling interface to the user in response to receiving the input, wherein the scheduling interface allows the user to define properties for scheduling the instant messaging chat session, and create an entry in a calendaring system of the user to form a scheduled instant messaging chat session in response to receiving user input defining properties for scheduling the instant messaging chat session, wherein the entry is based on the properties defined in the scheduling interface.

A computer program product for scheduling calendar entries within a context of an instant messaging client, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer usable program code tangibly embodied thereon, the computer usable program code comprising:
• computer usable program code for receiving input from a user to schedule an instant messaging chat session with one or more invitees, wherein the one or more invitees are selected from a list of contacts in the instant messaging client;
• computer usable program code for providing a scheduling interface to the user in response to receiving the input, wherein the scheduling interface allows the user to define properties for scheduling the instant messaging chat session;
• and
• computer usable program code for creating an entry in a calendaring system of the user to form a scheduled instant messaging chat session in response to receiving user input defining the properties for scheduling the instant messaging chat session, wherein the entry is based on the properties defined in the scheduling interface.