Resource allocation methods Methods of operating a digital computer to optimize project scheduling. Where the overall effects of a schedule, such as total project duration or cost, are unsatisfactory, the schedule is processed iteratively so that on each iteration a particular task is selected for modification according to a preset policy and data defining an aspect of that task is adjusted in a small step. A schedule is further optimized to fit the available resources by a repetitive process of assigning resources having the proper capabilities to tasks according to a predetermined order of tasks and testing whether the assigned resource can permit shortening of the task duration. Further methods select an optimum mix of capabilities to be provided by each of several resources to be hired for a project. Online placement of video files determined by a function of the bandwidth to space ratio of each of the storage devices in a server environment A placement system and method wherein the placement of programs such as movies, audio programs, audio-visual programs and similar types of data, is determined as a function of the bandwidth-space ratio (BSR) of each disk in the system. The BSR of a disk is defined as the bandwidth of the disk divided by the space. The BSR of the programs on the disk is the total expected demand for the programs divided by the space required to store the programs. In a preferred embodiment, a Video Placement Manager (a software task operating under a server's main control program) places the programs on the disks so as to best match the BSR of movies stored on the disk and the BSR of the disk, thus minimizing the waste of both disk bandwidth and disk space. Automated, electronic network based, project management server system, for managing multiple work-groups Design and implementation of an `Auto Multi-Project Server System`, which automates the tasks of Project Management Coordination, for organizational work-group team members. The `Auto Multi-Project Server`, referred to as AMPS, consists of a core piece of software running on a host server computer system and interacting with a messaging system such as electronic mail, fax etc. Once the AMPS system is configured for the work environment, all interactions with it by work-group team members is via messages. First the AMPS system compiles multi-project plans into a multi-project database, and tracks the ownership of projects, tasks and resources within the plans. Second the AMPS system performs automatic checking of resource requests, if resource availability limits are exceeded then resources are re-allocated to projects based on priorities, and project plans are accordingly changed Third the database is processed periodically to send out reminder follow-ups and project status reports. Fourth the databases are continuously updated based on status changes reported by work-group members. These four steps are continuously repeated enabling an automated method of multi-project management for organizational work-group team members. System and method for providing property histories of objects and collections for determining device capacity based thereon A system and method for managing storage resources in a computer system. The invention periodically tracks and stores the history of each object stored in the storage resources. For each storage container, the life expectancy is calculated by utilizing the object histories for all objects currently stored in that container. Collecting and predicting capacity information for composite network resource formed by combining ports of an access server and/or links of wide arear network A method of displaying capacity information relating to computer resources over a preselected period of time. The computer resource is connected to a communications network and the method includes collecting data relating to capacity of the resource by periodically sampling preselected resource elements at a preselected fixed interval to define a capacity variable for that resource. The periodic sampling takes place from a location on the network that is remote from the computer resource and over a period of time for the resource element. The capacity variable of the resource element is compared with capacity variable(s) collected immediately prior to said capacity variable. The capacity variable is stored, together with an associated timestamp, if said capacity variable falls outside a preselected margin of the average of the prior capacity variables. For each resource, the combined preselected capacity values of each preselected resource element are displayed in graphical and tabular form in reference to the total capacity of the preselected resource. System and method for generating a schedule based on resource assignments A system for generating a schedule by generating assignments for the tasks of a project and sequentially scheduling the individual assignments to available resources. First, input information is received which includes a resource calendar and a task list. A resource calendar identifies the resources available to work on a project and any constraints that are associated with the resources. A task list identifies the tasks that must be performed and any constraints that are associated with the tasks. At a minimum, the constraints associated with the tasks must identify each of the resources assigned to the task, and the work-amount that each resource must perform. Next, assignments are generated for each of the tasks. Each of the assignments identifies a specific resource and the work-amount required by the specific resource. Finally, each of the assignments are scheduled in accordance with the provided resource constraints identified in the resource calendar. The resulting schedule maximizes the utilization of the resources by scheduling on an assignment basis. The assignments are individually scheduled into the next available time-slot of the resources, thus, eliminating idle time where a resource is under-utilized.