Abstract: Participation by observers to a live event may be augmented or simulated based on actual participation levels of remote users. The present invention provides methods and systems for observer participation during live events by receiving at least one element of user information from a first set of users; analyzing the at least one element of user information received from the first set of users; and generating a first sensory output based on the at least one element of user information, where the first sensory output is generated at the physical location of an event and/or the physical location of other observers.

Abstract: Dividing a set of leaf objects having the same path of a directory namespace allows the divided path data sets to be distributed over separate physical stores (e.g., directory servers, network storage, separate memory, etc.). Distribution of divided path data sets over separate physical stores enhances scalability of a directory namespace and facilitates efficient utilization of resources. A directory distributor maintains information that indicates distribution of data path sets of a directory namespace and directs requests for the directory namespace to appropriate stores in accordance with this information.