Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for the alternate playback of streaming media segments. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for alternate playback of streaming media segments includes receiving different segments of streaming media for playback in sequence in a media player executing in memory of a playback device and rejecting playback of one of the different segments during playback of the one of the different segments. The method also includes selecting an alternate segment for playback in the media player in place of the rejected one of the different segments. Finally, the method includes playing back in the media player the alternate segment in place of the rejected one of the different segments, and subsequently playing back in the media player a next one of the different segments in the sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for the alternate playback of streaming media segments. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for alternate playback of streaming media segments includes receiving different segments of streaming media for playback in sequence in a media player executing in memory of a playback device and rejecting playback of one of the different segments during playback of the one of the different segments. The method also includes selecting an alternate segment for playback in the media player in place of the rejected one of the different segments. Finally, the method includes playing back in the media player the alternate segment in place of the rejected one of the different segments, and subsequently playing back in the media player a next one of the different segments in the sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for physical location tagging via image recognition of physical components in a data center. The method includes acquiring an image scan of a field of view of a camera at a known location in a data center and matching an image of a device in the image scan to a pre-stored image of a similar device to determine a device type of the device in the image scan. The method also includes transmitting a directive to a known device in inventory of the determined device type to activate a visual indicator disposed on an exterior portion of the known device. Finally, the method includes re-acquiring the image scan to detect an activated visual indicator on the device in the image scan and, in response, mapping the known location in the data center to the known device in inventory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys is provided. The method includes pooling one or more authorization codes for access by different end users in activating different features of a set of hardware components using FoD. The method also includes responding to an FoD request to activate one of the features by a particular one of the end users by determining whether or not a pre-defined code usage policy permits the particular one of the end users to use a pooled one of the authorization codes and if permitted according to the pre-defined code usage policy, generating an FoD activation key with the pooled one of the authorization codes and activating the one of the features with the FoD activation key.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys is provided. The method includes pooling one or more authorization codes for access by different end users in activating different features of a set of hardware components using FoD. The method also includes responding to an FoD request to activate one of the features by a particular one of the end users by determining whether or not a pre-defined code usage policy permits the particular one of the end users to use a pooled one of the authorization codes and if permitted according to the pre-defined code usage policy, generating an FoD activation key with the pooled one of the authorization codes and activating the one of the features with the FoD activation key.

Abstract: Receiving, by a blade management module from a client blade, notification of a loss of communications between a remote desktop apparatus and the client blade; responsive to the notification, accepting, by the blade management module from the remote desktop apparatus, an instruction to alter a power setting of the client blade; and; responsive to the instruction, altering, by the blade management module, the power setting of the client blade.

Abstract: A method includes sensing ambient conditions in a datacenter containing a server, and determining whether the ambient conditions exceed predetermined threshold conditions representing risk of electrostatic discharge. A lid to the server is locked in a closed position in response to the ambient conditions exceeding the predetermined threshold conditions. However, the lid to the server is unlocked in response to a grounding strap being connected to the server. Optionally, the grounding strap may be identified and the server lid will only unlock if the identified grounding strap is associated with authorization to unlock the server lid.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method for determining a controlling entity of a first avatar in a virtual world includes: receiving a request for access to a resource via a first avatar; providing a challenge to the first avatar in response to receiving the request; receiving a challenge response via the first avatar in response to the challenge; determining an identity confidence level based on the challenge response; making an identity determination for a controlling entity of the first avatar based on the identity confidence level; and providing or denying access to the resource based on the identity determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for map generation for an environment based on captured images are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes capturing a first image of an environment. The method also includes identifying a reference in the first image. Further, the method includes generating, based on the identified reference, a map of the environment to use for physically orienting a computing device within the environment based on a second image including the reference.

Abstract: Re-arranging data handling in a computer-implemented system that comprises a plurality of existing physical entities. At least one reliability rating is assigned to each of various existing physical entities of the computer-implemented system; and in response to change. Reverse predictive failure analysis uses the assigned reliability ratings to determine cumulative reliability rating(s) for at least one arrangement of the system. Data handling is re-arranged with respect to at least a portion of the existing computer-implemented system to provide a designated cumulative reliability rating.

Abstract: Re-arranging data handling in a computer-implemented system that comprises a plurality of existing physical entities. At least one reliability rating is assigned to each of various existing physical entities of the computer-implemented system; and in response to change. Reverse predictive failure analysis uses the assigned reliability ratings to determine cumulative reliability rating(s) for at least one arrangement of the system. Data handling is re-arranged with respect to at least a portion of the existing computer-implemented system to provide a designated cumulative reliability rating.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method for determining a controlling entity of a first avatar in a virtual world includes: receiving a request for access to a resource via a first avatar; providing a challenge to the first avatar in response to receiving the request; receiving a challenge response via the first avatar in response to the challenge; determining an identity confidence level based on the challenge response; making an identity determination for a controlling entity of the first avatar based on the identity confidence level; and providing or denying access to the resource based on the identity determination.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and products for administering a time-shifting cache in a media playback device are disclosed, where the media playback device receives from a digital media provider a digital media stream of digital media content and administering the time-shifting cache includes caching the digital media content of the digital media stream in the time-shifting cache; dynamically identifying one or more non-preferred segments of the cached digital media content; and managing the time-shifting cache in dependence upon the identified non-preferred segments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for generating a playlist is presented. A first media file, which is from an artistic media collection and has at least one feature described by first text data, is added to a playlist. An analytics resource is searched for at least one common feature associated with and shared by the first media file and a second media file from the artistic media collection. The common feature is identified by matching the first text data with second text data, about the second media file, in the analytics resource. In response to at least one common feature being identified for the first and second media files, the second media file is added to the playlist.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of providing a controlled, customized playback of broadcast media, such as satellite radio or television. A subset of preferred channels is identified from a set of available broadcast channels. Each broadcast channel provides streaming content including media segments and, optionally, segment tags marking the beginning and end of each media segment. Complete media segments of the streamed content from the preferred channels are received and stored. A plurality of queues is maintained. The received content from each channel is placed in one of the queues in the order received. A customized playback sequence is generated. In generating the customized playback sequence, the queued media segments are selected according to channel-selection criteria, and each media segment is played back in its entirety.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and products for administering a time-shifting cache in a media playback device are disclosed, where the media playback device receives from a digital media provider a digital media stream of digital media content and administering the time-shifting cache includes caching the digital media content of the digital media stream in the time-shifting cache; dynamically identifying one or more non-preferred segments of the cached digital media content; and managing the time-shifting cache in dependence upon the identified non-preferred segments.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for administering digital media streams by a media display device including: receiving from a digital media provider a digital media stream including content of a plurality of channels, identifying among the plurality of channels one or more channels for caching; caching content of the one or more identified channels, the content of each of the identified channels including a marker identifying a beginning location of a segment of content; and responsive to a user's selection of a first one of the cached channels, displaying the content of the first channel beginning at the location identified by the marker.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment and provide a method, system and computer program product for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a request from an IM user to queue an unattended status and time-based message, retrieving a recovery trigger for the unattended status and time-based message, and assigning the unattended status and time-based message to a message queue.

Abstract: Methods, digital media files, apparatus, and products for administering a digital media file having one or more potentially offensive portions are described that include inserting in the digital media file at least one tag identifying as potentially offensive a portion of the digital media file, the tag also identifying a location of the potentially offensive portion in the digital media file; and transmitting the digital media file with the tag to a playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to blade server security and provide a method, system and computer program product for proximity sensitive blade server security. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for proximity sensitive blade server security can be provided. The method can include sensing proximity of a systems administrator relative to a blade center, detecting a loss of proximity of the systems administrator, and triggering automated securing of at least one blade server in the blade server in response to detecting the loss of proximity. For example, sensing proximity of a systems administrator relative to a blade center can include establishing a wireless radio connection with a personal article associated with the systems administrator, and determining a loss of proximity when the connection is lost.