METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR MANAGEMENT OF PREFERENCES IN A HETEROGENEOUS COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for managing user preferences in heterogenous networks. A native application is selected and a software routine and user preferences obtained from a server which allows installation of the user preferences of the native application on the computer obtaining the preferences. Thus, the software routine obtained may be tailored to the particular computer executing the native application. This routine may be downloaded without requiring intervention at the computer and may be downloaded only if needed by selection of an application. Furthermore, the user preferences may be selected based on a user or user group such that the preferences may be used on different computer by the same user or user group.