Abstract: A manager component of an apparatus in one example initializes a plurality of software components of a distributed software application, within one or more executables, in an ordered sequence based on one or more dependency relationships among the plurality of software components.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a substitute manager component that upon failure of a first manager component, obtains management responsibility for a distributed software application from the first manager component and queries one or more software components of the distributed software application for state information of the one or more software components. The substitute manager component employs the state information to determine whether one or more recovery actions are needed for the distributed software application to recover from the failure of the first manager component.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a manager component in communication with a distributed software application. The distributed software application comprises a plurality of software components that run within one or more executables. The manager component shuts down the plurality of software components in an ordered sequence based on one or more dependency relationships among the plurality of software components.

Abstract: A distributed software application comprises a plurality of software components within a plurality of executables. A manager component for the distributed software application handles: an addition of one or more first resources to the distributed software application on behalf of the distributed software application and/or a removal of one or more second resources from the distributed software application on behalf of the distributed software application.

Abstract: A manager component of an apparatus in one example handles one or more checkpoint procedures for one or more software components of a distributed software application that runs within a plurality of executables.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a first manager component that performs one or more first management operations on a software and/or hardware entity and a second manager component that performs one or more second management operations on the software and/or hardware entity.

Abstract: A head guard for soccer players for protecting the forehead of a soccer player when the forehead is struck with a soccer ball. The head guard for soccer players includes a plate having a outer surface and an inner surface. The plate has a bottom edge, a pair of side edges and a top edge. The inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex. The bottom edge generally lies in a plane such that the plate generally arcs back from the bottom edge to the top edge. A head band is elongated and has a pair of ends. Each of the ends of the head band is attached to the plate and defines a loop for extending around a head such that the plate may be abutted against the forehead of the wearer. Each of the ends of the head band is positioned adjacent to the bottom edge and one of the side edges.