http://channel9.msdn.com/Blogs/TheChannel9Team/Kevin-Schofield-Tour-of-Microsoft-Research-Part-II-machine-learning
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/horvitz/interrupt.htm - this is his stuff about email/IM interruptions
for example this one http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/horvitz/learninterrupt.htm

I have only really watched the video myself, it's an interesting idea - using webcam, microphone and your calendar, try to estimate how much is your time worth (in dollars) at any particular point of time. I guess the guy was so annoyed with IM that he decided to dedicate his research to it :)

I remember hearing a story that this system was used to determine the state of mind for soviet military pilots.
You type a control paragraph of text, and then you have to type the same thing again before each flight. The computer just measures the pattern of how you type, and sinc ethere's substantial amount of text (not just shorter password) I guess it could work.

Of course this was easy to bypass if you just typed initial control text already drunk. :) Just make sure you are drunk for each flight afterwards.

BTW, I have also heard a lecture in my uni 15 years ago from a guy that was trying to develop the system to also determine general mood of the person by the way they typed. Not sure how far that went.

It doesn't allow you to stay permanently, but it does allow you to change your mind and apply permanently.
This is unlike other temporary visas, that specifically say that you have to return. If you break that promise, they may not let you in again on a temporary visa.

This distinction is a huge deal if you want to get a visa into US. To get temporary visa, you have to have some reason to return. Education, relatives, business, work, property etc. If you are an unemployed young person, you are not getting a visa. If you are in the last year of school, it's a high probability too (YMMV of course).

So... you failed to mention that you can in fact apply for green card just after being on H1-B for 6 years. You don't have to be in a special category. 5 more years to get a citizenship. From entering USA as H1-B worker to becoming a citizen you need a minimum of 11 years.