Abstract: The automated generation of a web site preview based on a web site identifier, where the web site preview has one or more controls that facilitate connection to one or more endpoints. In response to receiving the web site identifier from the client computing system, the service uses the web site identifier to navigate to the web site identified by the web site identifier. After navigating to that web site, the service accesses an action identifier and an associated endpoint identifier from the web site. The service then generates preview data representing a preview of the web site represented by the web site identifier. The service provides the preview data to the client, where the preview with the control is rendered, so as to facilitate connection with the associated endpoint of the control.

Abstract: The generation of a web site preview based on client presentation state of the client that will render the web site preview. Upon a service receiving a request to provide preview data for a web site preview corresponding to a web site identifier, the service determines client presentation state of the client(s) that is or are to render a web site preview using preview data that is to be provided in response to the request. The service selects a preview template at least in part based on the determined client presentation state. The service also populates the selected preview template with content from the web site to thereby generate preview data representing a preview of the web site identified by the web site identifier. The preview data is thus tailored to the presentation state of the client.

Abstract: The automated generation of a web site preview based on a type of the web site. In response to receiving the web site identifier from the client computing system, the service uses the web site identifier to navigate to the web site identified by the web site identifier. After navigating to that web site, the service accesses a type of the web site from the web site. The service selects a predetermined preview template at least in part based on the type of the web site, and populates at least some of the content from the web site to generate the web site preview. Because the web site preview is based on the type of web site, the user sees consistent previews across different web sites of the same type (though the owner might have the option to supersede with their own preview).

Abstract: The automated generation of a web site preview based on a web site identifier, where the web site preview has one or more controls that facilitate connection to one or more endpoints. In response to receiving the web site identifier from the client computing system, the service uses the web site identifier to navigate to the web site identified by the web site identifier. After navigating to that web site, the service accesses an action identifier and an associated endpoint identifier from the web site. The service then generates preview data representing a preview of the web site represented by the web site identifier. The service provides the preview data to the client, where the preview with the control is rendered, so as to facilitate connection with the associated endpoint of the control.

Abstract: The generation of a web site preview based on client presentation state of the client that will render the web site preview. Upon a service receiving a request to provide preview data for a web site preview corresponding to a web site identifier, the service determines client presentation state of the client(s) that is or are to render a web site preview using preview data that is to be provided in response to the request. The service selects a preview template at least in part based on the determined client presentation state. The service also populates the selected preview template with content from the web site to thereby generate preview data representing a preview of the web site identified by the web site identifier. The preview data is thus tailored to the presentation state of the client.

Abstract: A method for selectively utilizing a plurality of disparate solid state storage locations is disclosed. The technology initially receives class types for a plurality of disparate solid state storage locations. The characteristics of the received data are determined. The received data is then allocated to one of the plurality of disparate solid state storage locations based upon the determined characteristics of the received data.

Abstract: Multi-user multi-input desktop workspaces and applications are described. In one aspect, a single computing device presents multiple workspaces on a desktop area. The desktop area is designed for multiple users to provide in parallel inputs. Each workspace is configured for use by a particular set of users. Responsive to user direction, user access restrictions to a particular workspace of the multiple workspaces is suspended to allow a new user to interface within context of a particular workspace.

Abstract: A portable rewritable medium and a method are provided for preventing unauthorized use of executable software stored on the portable rewritable medium. A portion of the software stored on the portable rewritable medium may include instructions for a processing device to determine whether execution of the executable software is permitted. If execution of the executable software is permitted, the processing device may execute the executable software directly from the portable rewritable medium. Characteristics of the portable rewritable medium may be checked to determine whether functionality of the executable software is to be limited.

Abstract: A method for tailoring the installation of an operating system to a computer system receives information regarding the computer system. Information regarding a modular operating system is accessed. The modular operating system is comprised of a foundational base and a plurality of installable features. Desired performance characteristics of the computer system are determined. Portions of the modular operating system are installed such that the modular operating system is tailored to the computer system and the desired performance characteristics of the computer system.

Abstract: A search engine that resides on a local computer to enable query intent analysis, results ranking, and relevance processing over data of both local and remote data sources. The architecture also employs a global access component, which is a unified interface to disparate data discovery paradigms. The global access component provides access to corresponding disparate datasets of the paradigms for creating aggregation of information. A local search engine creates the aggregations of information from the disparate datasets via the global access component and processes a query against the aggregations of information to return search results.

Abstract: A BIOS may provide bad block and wear-leveling services to a flash memory during a boot cycle until a full-functioned memory controller, such as a software memory controller, is available. After the full-functioned memory controller is available, the controller may use data passed by the BIOS to determine what, if any, steps to take to account for write activity during the boot process. Alternatively, the BIOS may use a reserved portion of flash memory so that wear leveling for boot-related data, such as a shut-down flag, is not needed.

Abstract: An inter-network remote control system is described that enables remote control of computing devices via two or more disparate data communications networks. In various embodiments, the inter-network remote control system receives a message from a mobile device via a first network, transforms the received message so that it can be relayed via a second network, and forwards the transformed message via the second network to a target computing device to cause that device to be controlled remotely.

Abstract: A method for selectively utilizing a plurality of disparate solid state storage locations is disclosed. The technology initially receives class types for a plurality of disparate solid state storage locations. The characteristics of the received data are determined. The received data is then allocated to one of the plurality of disparate solid state storage locations based upon the determined characteristics of the received data.

Abstract: A method for selectively utilizing a plurality of disparate solid state storage locations is disclosed. The technology initially receives class types for a plurality of disparate solid state storage locations. The characteristics of the received data are determined. The received data is then allocated to one of the plurality of disparate solid state storage locations based upon the determined characteristics of the received data.

Abstract: A BIOS may provide bad block and wear-leveling services to a flash memory during a boot cycle until a full-functioned memory controller, such as a software memory controller, is available. After the full-functioned memory controller is available, the controller may use data passed by the BIOS to determine what, if any, steps to take to account for write activity during the boot process. Alternatively, the BIOS may use a reserved portion of flash memory so that wear leveling for boot-related data, such as a shut-down flag, is not needed.

Abstract: A BIOS may provide bad block and wear-leveling services to a flash memory during a boot cycle until a full-functioned memory controller, such as a software memory controller, is available. After the full-functioned memory controller is available, the controller may use data passed by the BIOS to determine what, if any, steps to take to account for write activity during the boot process. Alternatively, the BIOS may use a reserved portion of flash memory so that wear leveling for boot-related data, such as a shut-down flag, is not needed.

Abstract: Creating and using phonetic schemes is described. A phonetic scheme creation feature is provided to allow a user to create a phonetic scheme that has one or more available phonetic character combinations in a source language and a resulting one or more native characters in a destination language for each of the phonetic character combinations. A phonetic input application is provided that can read the phonetic scheme to translate a respective character combination that is input by the user in the source language into the corresponding resulting native characters in the destination language. The phonetic scheme can be stored in a format that can be transferred to another computer. A dynamic help file can be created to document the phonetic scheme created by the user.

Abstract: Multi-user multi-input desktop workspaces and applications are described. In one aspect, a single computing device presents multiple workspaces on a desktop area. The desktop area is designed for multiple users to provide in parallel inputs. Each workspace is configured for use by a particular set of users. Responsive to user direction, user access restrictions to a particular workspace of the multiple workspaces is suspended to allow a new user to interface within context of a particular workspace.

Abstract: Described is a system and method that use the concept of channels by which computer users select an appropriate set of network settings maintained in the computer system for a particular network. Upon selection, the corresponding settings are automatically applied by the system. A channel manager manages sets of network settings for various networks, including ad hoc networks, wherein each set contains the information that is necessary to connect to a network. A user interface allows selection of a channel, e.g., via a friendly name. The network settings may be stored in files to allow users to easily copy settings. Complex channels are capable of connecting to different networks at different times in a priority ordering, depending on network availability. The channel manager is able to determine the current channel from current network settings. Metadata may be received and displayed in conjunction with the channel-related user interface.

Abstract: A system, media, and method for realtime popularity prediction for event and queries are provided. The popularity prediction is made by a prediction engine that is coupled to a search engine, a crawler, and a sentiment component. The prediction engine determines a change in popularity for an event or a query based on content provided by the crawler, sentiments identified by the sentiment component, and queries received in realtime by the search engine. The prediction engine may also use the content, sentiments, and queries to predict an outcome for a popularity based event.