Web browser method and system for display and management of server latency

A browser extension system for a browser in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, comprising the steps of:

• means for associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link, wherein said at least one access parameter includes:
• a time access parameter value wherein said time access parameter value indicates an estimated length of time of an access time period;
• and
• a data rate access parameter value wherein said data rate access parameter value indicates an estimated data retrieval rate for data retrieved from said server during said access time period;
• means for selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;
• means for initiating an access time period during which said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection;
• means for displaying said at least one access parameter in response to initiation of said access time period;
• and
• means for displaying a preferences dialog box in response to user input wherein said user is prompted to request at least one latency time parameter for said at least one hypertext link encountered by said browser.

A computer program product residing in computer memory in a data-processing system for permitting a browser extension for a browser in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, said computer program product comprising:

• association means for associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link, wherein said at least one access parameter includes:
• a time access parameter value wherein said time access parameter value indicates an estimated length of time of an access time period;
• and
• a data rate access parameter value wherein said data rate access parameter value indicates an estimated data retrieval rate for data retrieved from said server during said access time period;
• selection means for selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;
• initiation means for initiating an access time period during which said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection;
• display means for displaying said at least one access parameter in response to initiation of said access time period;
• preferences dialog display means for displaying a preferences dialog box in response to user input wherein said user is prompted to request at least one latency time parameter for said at least one hypertext link encountered by said browser;
• and
• first signal-bearing media bearing said association means, said selection means, said initiation means, and said display means, and said preferences dialog display means.

A browser extension method for a browser in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, comprising the steps of:

• associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link, wherein said at least one access parameter includes:
• a time access parameter value wherein said time access parameter value indicates an estimated length of time of an access time period;
• and
• a data rate access parameter value wherein said data rate access parameter value indicates an estimated data retrieval rate for data retrieved from said server during said access time period;
• selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;
• initiating an access time period during which said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection;
• displaying said at least one access parameter in response to initiation of said access time period;
• displaying a dialog box in which said at least one access parameter associated with said at least one hypertext link is displayed;
• and
• displaying a preferences dialog box in response to user input wherein said user is prompted to request at least one latency time parameter for said at least one hypertext link encountered by said browser.

A browser extension system for a browser in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, comprising the steps of:

• means for associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link, wherein said at least one access parameter includes:
• a time access parameter value wherein said time access parameter value indicates an estimated length of time of an access time period;
• and
• a data rate access parameter value wherein said data rate access parameter value indicates an estimated data retrieval rate for data retrieved from said server during said access time period;
• means for selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;
• means for initiating an access time period during which said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection;
• means for displaying said at least one access parameter in response to initiation of said access time period;
• means for displaying a dialog box in which said at least one access parameter associated with said at least one hypertext link is displayed;
• and
• means for displaying a preferences dialog box in response to user input, wherein said user is prompted to request at least one latency time parameter for said at least one hypertext link encountered by said browser.

A computer program product residing in computer memory in a data-processing system for permitting a browser extension for a browser in a computer network having at least one client connectable to one or more servers, said client having an interface for displaying a first hypertext document with at least one hypertext link to a second hypertext document located at a server, said computer program product comprising:

• association means for associating at least one access parameter with said at least one hypertext link, wherein said at least one access parameter includes:
• a time access parameter value wherein said time access parameter value indicates an estimated length of time of an access time period;
• and
• a data rate access parameter value wherein said data rate access parameter value indicates an estimated data retrieval rate for data retrieved from said server during said access time period;
• selection means for selecting said at least one hypertext link to said second hypertext document in response to user input;
• initiation means for initiating an access time period during which said at least one hypertext link accesses said second hypertext document in response to said selection;
• display means for displaying said at least one access parameter in response to initiation of said access time period;
• first signal-bearing media bearing said association means, said selection means, said initiation means, and said display means;
• dialog display means for displaying a dialog box in which said at least one access parameter associated with said at least one hypertext link is displayed;
• and
• dialog display means for displaying a preferences dialog box in response to user input, wherein said use is prompted to request at least one latency time parameter for said at least one hypertext link encountered by said browser.