Methods and arrangements for providing a mark-up language based graphical user interface for user identification to an operating system

Abstract

Methods and arrangements are provided that can be used to identify users to an operating system during initialization through an advanced graphical user interface (GUI). The resulting GUI can be visually compelling and functional while advantageously remaining easy for the developer to create, maintain and modify. A markup language rendering engine is loaded substantially near the beginning of an operating system initialization procedure, and provided with markup language code that solicits at least one user input associated with a user logon process when rendered by the markup language rendering engine. The markup language code can be written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, eXtensible Markup Language (XML), eXtensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), etc.

1 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform acts comprising: 
 arranging for a markup language rendering engine to be loaded during an operating system's initialization procedure, the initialization procedure having a user logon process configured to selectively allow a user to logon to the operating system; and    providing markup language code suitable for use with the markup language rendering engine, the markup language code capable of soliciting at least one user input when rendered by the markup language rendering engine, the user input being associated with the user logon process and enabling the user logon process to selectively allow the user to logon to the operating system.    
   
   
       2 . The media as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing the markup language code further includes providing user data, the user data being operatively associated with the user logon process.  
   
   
       3 . The media as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 configuring the markup language rendering engine to display at least a portion of the user data based on the markup language code.    
   
   
       4 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform acts comprising: 
 presenting, during a computer's operating system's initialization procedure and prior to allowing a user to logon to the computer, a markup language based graphical user interface having a logon screen, the logon screen having a user logon area with selectable user identifiers;    receiving selection of one of the selectable user identifiers to provide a selected user identifier; and    indicating, responsive to the selection, data receivable from a user associated with the selected user identifier that is capable of permitting authentication of the user effective to allow the user to logon to the computer.    
   
   
       5 . The media as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the user identifiers comprise text identifiers.  
   
   
       6 . The media as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the user identifiers comprise graphical identifiers.  
   
   
       7 . The media as recited in  claim 6 , wherein one of the graphic identifiers is animated.  
   
   
       8 . The media as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the act of indicating prompts the user associated with the selected user identifier to input the data.  
   
   
       9 . The media as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the data is a password.  
   
   
       10 . The media as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the act of indicating presents a password input field.  
   
   
       11 . The media as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the logon screen comprises a single selectable shut down mechanism configured to shut the computer down when selected by the user through the graphical user interface.  
   
   
       12 . The media as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the logon screen comprises user-related information indicating that a user associated with one of the selectable user identifiers has a message.  
   
   
       13 . The media as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the message is an email message.  
   
   
       14 . The media as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the user-related information indicates a number of messages.  
   
   
       15 . The media as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the logon screen has a title area having a title that identifies the computer.  
   
   
       16 . A method comprising: 
 presenting, while a computer is booting and prior to a user being allowed to logon to the computer, a markup language based graphical user interface having a logon screen, the logon screen having a user logon area capable of soliciting at least one user input;    receiving a user input through the user logon area; and    logging the user associated with the user input on the computer.    
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising, prior to the act of presenting, receiving instructions to load a markup language rendering engine and markup language code suitable for use with the markup language rendering engine, the markup language code capable of soliciting the at least one user input when rendered by the markup language rendering engine.  
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the logon area comprises an identifier identifying the user and the act of receiving receives selection of the identifier.  
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the user input comprises a password and further comprising authenticating the user with the password prior to logging the user on the computer.  
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the markup language based graphical user interface comprises user-related information indicating that the user has a new email message.