Calendar-induced program execution

1. Technical Field A user's calendar program is configured to "induce" execution of scheduled programs or system activities. Utilizing a scheduler program, the user can configure the system to run certain recurring tasks but control system operation with varying results based on the controlling inducement factors received from the calendar program. When creating an event or activity entry in the calendar program, the user associates an inducement value with that entry. On the date of the entry, the scheduler program, before initiating execution of any scheduled tasks, obtains the inducement value(s) for that date. The inducement value(s) are logically combined with execution values to control execution of scheduled tasks. For instance, is a user is attending a remote conference, a recurring task for system backup and virus scanning will run on a different schedule that if the user is actively using the machine on a daily basis between backups, while if the user is on vacation, system pop-ups and dialogs for an application may not be executed.