Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for managing a reusable storage medium having a plurality of media blocks. A particular media block is included in a media set if the media block is used to store at least a portion of one linearly ordered data block. In one embodiment, an active window table is created to monitor the media blocks in the media set. If all data blocks stored in a particular media block have expired, then the media block is identified for further processing. The identified media blocks are removed from the active window table. A determination is made as to whether any identified media block is a reference media block that is an oldest media block in the media set. If the identified media block is the reference media block, the active window table is updated to indicate the reference media block as the oldest media block of the remaining media blocks in the active window table.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing multiplayer Personal Data Assistant (PDA) games. Apparatus for implementing multiplayer PDA games includes a plurality of PDA units. Each PDA unit has capability for determining geographic location of the PDA unit, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) capability. Each PDA unit is adapted for receiving player selected actions. A game server communicates with the plurality of PDA units via a wireless communications link. The game server identifies the geographic location of the PDA units and selectively enabling games rules based upon the geographic location of respective PDA units. Each of the plurality of PDA units includes a communications adapter enabling communications of the plurality of PDA units with the Internet. The game server can be implemented with a selected one of the PDA units or a predetermined computer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for managing a reusable storage medium having a plurality of media blocks. A particular media block is included in a media set if the media block is used to store at least a portion of one linearly ordered data block. In one embodiment, an active window table is created to monitor the media blocks in the media set. If all data blocks stored in a particular media block have expired, then the media block is identified for further processing. The identified media blocks are removed from the active window table. A determination is made as to whether any identified media block is a reference media block that is an oldest media block in the media set. If the identified media block is the reference media block, the active window table is updated to indicate the reference media block as the oldest media block of the remaining media blocks in the active window table.