Abstract: Authorization of a file on a computer is provided for using a cryptographic hash of the file or other identifier to find one or more content ratings. Content ratings, coupled with source and publisher ratings, are used to evaluate the file against an authorization policy set up by a user, manufacturer, or corporate IT department. Files which are suspect due to low ratings are not authorized to run on the computer. Files for which little information can be found are left to the user to decide whether to authorize. Rating services provide aggregated content ratings based on editorial or user reviews, and index their searchable ratings based on cryptographic hashes of the files being evaluated. Rating services provide allow lists and exclude lists or may provide individual responses to queries containing cryptographic hashes of files.

Abstract: Although GPUs have been harnessed to solve non-graphics problems, these solutions are not widespread because GPUs remain difficult to program. Instead, an interpreter simplifies the task of programming a GPU by providing language constructs such as a set of data types and operations that are more familiar to non-graphics programmers. The interpreter maps these familiar language constructs to the more difficult graphics programming languages such as DirectX®, OpenGL®, Cg®, and/or HLSL®.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing synchronization of providing a device mesh and a virtual computing device are disclosed herein. A selection of a plurality of computer devices, such as PDAs, cellphone, laptops, and the like, can be received from a user. The data at the virtual computing device and the plurality of devices can be synchronized. Access to all applications available in each computing device in the plurality of computing devices can be provided at the virtual computing device. Access to all data available in each computing device in the plurality of computing devices can be provided at the virtual computing device. Access to the virtual computing device can be provided via a data network.

Abstract: Provided is a single repository for capturing, connecting, sharing, and visualizing information based on a geographic location, for example. Provided is a schema, repository, index, and APIs for any information, place, entity, attribute, service or person that can be referenced geographically. A system to provide real time image data includes an input component that receives image data associated with a specific geographic area, a splitter component that splits the image data into at least two quadrants, and a storage component that stores at least a portion of the at least two quadrants. Also provides is on-line or real-time advertising based on a user's mapped location and/or a user preference.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for abstracting an operating environment from an operating system running in the operating environment. Within an operating environment, an operating environment abstraction layer abstracts and exposes operating environment resources to an operating system. Accordingly, appropriately configured operating environment abstraction layers provide the operating system with a uniform interface to available resources across a variety of different operating environments. Each operating environment abstraction layer and the operating system include adjustable algorithms that can be adjusted to appropriately provide services to requesting applications based on exposed resources of the operating environment. Abstraction layers can be configured to analyze and become fully aware of their operating environment, including identifying the presence of other abstraction layers.

Abstract: A client-based system has a scheduling subsystem to schedule a time to obtain the Web content from the server. When the client reaches the scheduled time, the scheduling subsystem generates an event notification that contains sufficient information explaining how to retrieve the Web content. The client-based system has a delivery subsystem that is responsive to the event notification to obtain the Web content at the time set by the scheduling subsystem. The delivery subsystem preferably has multiple delivery modules that enable different types of distribution mechanism. In addition to the Web content or data itself, the delivery subsystem obtains an index to the Web content. The index summarizes the Web content to facilitate local search and find tasks. The index and Web content are stored in a cache at the client. An indexing subsystem presents the index to a user and enables the user to select from the index portions of the Web content that they prefer.

Abstract: A client-based system has a scheduling subsystem to schedule a time to obtain the Web content from the server. When the client reaches the scheduled time, the scheduling subsystem generates an event notification that contains sufficient information explaining how to retrieve the Web content. The client-based system has a delivery subsystem that is responsive to the event notification to obtain the Web content at the time set by the scheduling subsystem. The delivery subsystem preferably has multiple delivery modules that enable different types of distribution mechanism. In addition to the Web content or data itself, the delivery subsystem obtains an index to the Web content. The index summarizes the Web content to facilitate local search and find tasks. The index and Web content are stored in a cache at the client. An indexing subsystem presents the index to a user and enables the user to select from the index portions of the Web content that they prefer.

Abstract: To provide an expanded computer desktop working area, a forking driver is removably inserted logically between a graphical device interface program and a plurality of display device driver programs driving a plurality of computer monitor display screens. When inserted, the forking driver configures parameters for the screens to recognize capabilities common to the screens while also preserving significant capabilities of one of the screens representing a primary screen. The forking driver intercepts a function call directed to the device driver program corresponding to the primary screen and processes the function call to cause one or more of the device driver programs to change one or more screens in a manner consistent with the expanded working area.

Abstract: Facilities are provided within an operating system for supporting deferred printing of print jobs. The process of spooling a print job and the process of despooling the print job are decoupled, such that a printer need not be available at the time of spooling. Print jobs are spooled in a device-independent format, such as the enhanced metafile format. The print jobs may be spooled without a printer driver being installed for a target printer or without the target printer being connected to the system. Later, when the target printer becomes available, the print job is despooled and printed. A configuration database holds different printer configurations that list available printers in different environments. For example, a user may have a different configuration for printers available when he uses his computer at home, at work and on the road, respectively. The configurations help the user to identify the printers that are currently available and those that are available in other settings.

Abstract: Facilities are provided within an operating system for supporting deferred printing of print jobs. The process of spooling a print job and the process of despooling the print job are decoupled, such that a printer need not be available at the time of spooling. Print jobs are spooled in a device-independent format, such as the enhanced metafile format. The print jobs may be spooled without a printer driver being installed for a target printer or without the target printer being connected to the system. Later, when the target printer becomes available, the print job is despooled and printed. A configuration database holds different printer configurations that list available printers in different environments. For example, a user may have a different configuration for printers available when he uses his computer at home, at work and on the road, respectively. The configurations help the user to identify the printers that are currently available and those that are available in other settings.

Abstract: Print jobs are automatically and transparently spooled in a device-independent format, such as an enhanced metafile format. The enhanced metafile format provides a format into which documents are readily converted and which occupies a minimal amount of storage space. Each spooled print job is asynchronously printed relative to a program that requested the print job. Such spooled print jobs are de-spooled in a background processor mode. An operating system provides the resources for converting a print job into enhanced metafile format and spooling the print job in the enhanced metafile format.

Abstract: The stack pointer register in a computer is made available for general purpose use by programs executing at lower privilege levels than interrupt handlers. A set of instructions in such programs, excluding stack operations, stores data other than the stack pointer, such as operands, and the like, in the stack pointer register. When switching execution to an interrupt handler on an interrupt, return address data for the currently executing program is pushed onto a stack at the interrupt handler's privilege level. Thus, storing other data in the stack pointer register does not result in stack corruption. Also, these instructions can store data in a scratch portion of a stack segment beyond the current stack pointer.

Abstract: Print jobs are automatically and transparently spooled in a device-independent format, such as an enhanced metafile format. The enhanced metafile format provides a format into which documents are readily converted and which occupies a minimal amount of storage space. Each spooled print job is asynchronously printed relative to a program that requested the print job. Such spooled print jobs are de-spooled in a background processor mode. An operating system provides the resources for converting a print job into enhanced metafile format and spooling the print job in the enhanced metafile format.