Abstract: A technique for efficiently processing resource allocation requests in an on-demand environment. When a user logs into a resource allocation request manager, various resource requirements entered are immediately sent to a remote resource manager to allow for dynamic, real-time feedback to the user who is entering the resource requirements as to any issues or concerns regarding the requested resource(s) or plug-in element(s), such as lack of availability. The user can thus reconfigure or otherwise modify the various resource requests based on this feedback to optimize the overall resource allocation request. This also allows an organization providing services such as computer hosting services to re-allocate resources in advance if a new resource request would exceed a service level agreement outlined in advance with a customer, thereby improving resource planning in a data center environment.

Abstract: An on-line, multi-player internet based application that is adapted for playing fantasy sports, for example, football in which scoring is determined on a team functional unit basis rather than on an individual player basis, with a pre-determined set of actions associated with each fantasy team functional unit, pre-determined values associated with each such action, and corresponding actions from real-life football team functional units resulting from real-life football games used to determine fantasy football team unit values, fantasy football team scores and fantasy football league rankings.