1. In a network including a client system and a plurality of server systems, a method for enabling distributed program execution, the method comprising the steps: (a) receiving, from one of a plurality of server systems, a mapping specifying an association between a type of data file and an executable program for execution on one of a plurality of server systems; (b) presenting a graphical depiction of a data file stored on a client system; (c) receiving a selection of the graphical depiction of the data file; (d) identifying an executable program associated with the type of the selected data file using the received mapping; and (e) sending a request to execute the identified executable program.