Abstract: This description provides tools related to layered architectures for remote dynamic administration of distributed client configurations. These tools provide methods that may include subscribing to have online configuration services remotely manage applications installed on client systems. The methods may also include receiving dynamically-updated lists from the online configuration services, with these lists including the installed applications. The methods may also receive configuration payloads that specify how to configure the installed applications, and may configure the installed applications based on these configuration payloads. The methods may also present user interfaces on the client systems, with the user interfaces including the configured applications. The tools also provide methods that may include receiving subscription information from the customer sites, with the subscription information indicating that the customer sites have subscribed to the online configuration services.

Abstract: A cloud manager assists in deploying and managing networks for an online service. The cloud manager system receives requests to perform operations relating to configuring, updating and performing tasks in networks that are used in providing the online service. The management of the assets may comprise deploying machines, updating machines, removing machines, performing configuration changes on servers, Virtual Machines (VMs), as well as performing other tasks relating to the management. The cloud manager is configured to receive requests through an idempotent and asynchronous application programming interface (API) that can not rely on a reliable network.

Abstract: A cloud manager assists in deploying and managing networks for an online service. The cloud manager system receives requests to perform operations relating to configuring, updating and performing tasks in networks that are used in providing the online service. The management of the assets may comprise deploying machines, updating machines, removing machines, performing configuration changes on servers, Virtual Machines (VMs), as well as performing other tasks relating to the management. The cloud manager is configured to receive requests through an idempotent and asynchronous application programming interface (API) that can not rely on a reliable network.

Abstract: Embodiments provide application and/or resource access control features of an online computing environment, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method provides access control features for an online application environment based in part on the use of a number of directory service instances isolated from direct customer access and deployed in a defined datacenter architecture. In one embodiment, a computing environment uses web-based access control features and a number of directory service instances having organizational units and corresponding mappings to maintain a support infrastructure as part of providing features of online application services to customers. Other embodiments are included and available.

Abstract: A cloud manager assists in deploying and managing networks for an online service. The cloud manager system receives requests to perform operations relating to configuring, updating and performing tasks in networks that are used in providing the online service. The management of the assets may comprise deploying machines, updating machines, removing machines, performing configuration changes on servers, Virtual Machines (VMs), as well as performing other tasks relating to the management. The cloud manager is configured to receive requests through an idempotent and asynchronous application programming interface (API) that can not rely on a reliable network.

Abstract: Embodiments provide application and/or resource access control features of an online computing environment, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method provides access control features for an online application environment based in part on the use of a number of directory service instances isolated from direct customer access and deployed in a defined datacenter architecture. In one embodiment, a computing environment uses web-based access control features and a number of directory service instances having organizational units and corresponding mappings to maintain a support infrastructure as part of providing features of online application services to customers. Other embodiments are included and available.

Abstract: This description provides tools related to layered architectures for remote dynamic administration of distributed client configurations. These tools provide methods that may include subscribing to have online configuration services remotely manage applications installed on client systems. The methods may also include receiving dynamically-updated lists from the online configuration services, with these lists including the installed applications. The methods may also receive configuration payloads that specify how to configure the installed applications, and may configure the installed applications based on these configuration payloads. The methods may also present user interfaces on the client systems, with the user interfaces including the configured applications. The tools also provide methods that may include receiving subscription information from the customer sites, with the subscription information indicating that the customer sites have subscribed to the online configuration services.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of creating and performing a soundtrack to accompany an electronic slide show presentation is disclosed. The method includes receiving input from a slide presentation author, the input specifying when the soundtrack is to begin, end, or change. The input also includes a specification of elements that control the soundtrack content. During an electronic slide show, when each slide (212) is displayed, the soundtrack specifications associated with the displayed slide (212) are retrieved. Based on the specifications, a music engine (230) is invoked with commands to control the composition and performance of a soundtrack that accompanies the currently displayed slide. The method also includes receiving specifications of motifs that are triggered to accompany predetermined events occurring during the electronic slide show.