Abstract: A drum with a tuned configuration is presented. The drum comprises a head configured to produce a sound when struck. The drum also comprises a shell configured to resonate the sound. The drum also comprises a base configured to couple to the shell and hold the drum in an orientation. The drum also comprises a set of fasteners configured to maintain the head in the tuned configuration. The drum is configured to substantially maintain the tuned configuration throughout an operational lifetime.

Abstract: A rotating playground device is presented. The rotating playground device comprises a frame configured to rotate, wherein rotation is initiated by a force applied to the frame. The rotating playground device also comprises a braking system configured to limit a speed at which the frame rotates. The rotating playground device is permanently mounted within a playground environment, wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a ground point.

Abstract: A weather-resistant drum is presented. The weather-resistant drum comprises a drum head configured to produce a sound when struck. The weather-resistant drum also comprises a drum shell, configured to resonate the sound produced by the drum head. The drum shell also comprises a drain. The weather-resistant drum also comprises shield, coupled to the weather-resistant drum using a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the shield to the weather-resistant drum, such that the drum head maintains a tuned configuration over an operational lifetime of the weather-resistant drum.

Abstract: A metallophone structure configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is provided. The metallophone structure comprises a mounting structure. The metallophone structure also comprises a set of tone producing devices each coupled to the mounting structure by a fastener, wherein each tone producing device is configured to, when actuated, produce a sound frequency. The tone producing device is coupled in a location, by the fastener, as to reduce the effect on the quality of sound produced. The metallophone structure also comprises a mallet cradle configured to receive a mallet. The mallet is configured to actuate one of the tone producing devices. The metallophone structure is configured to be weather resistant such that each tone producing device still produces the sound frequency after an outdoor exposure period.

Abstract: A weather-resistant drum is presented. The weather-resistant drum comprises a drum head configured to produce a sound when struck. The weather-resistant drum also comprises a drum shell, configured to resonate the sound produced by the drum head. The drum shell also comprises a drain. The weather-resistant drum also comprises shield, coupled to the weather-resistant drum using a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the shield to the weather-resistant drum, such that the drum head maintains a tuned configuration over an operational lifetime of the weather-resistant drum.

Abstract: A metallophone structure configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is provided. The metallophone structure comprises a mounting structure. The metallophone structure also comprises a set of tone producing devices each coupled to the mounting structure by a fastener, wherein each tone producing device is configured to, when actuated, produce a sound frequency. The tone producing device is coupled in a location, by the fastener, as to reduce the effect on the quality of sound produced. The metallophone structure also comprises a mallet cradle configured to receive a mallet. The mallet is configured to actuate one of the tone producing devices. The metallophone structure is configured to be weather resistant such that each tone producing device still produces the sound frequency after an outdoor exposure period.

Abstract: A drum configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is presented. The drum comprises a mounting structure configured to permanently engage a mounting surface in the outdoor environment. The drum also comprises a shell coupled to the mounting structure. The drum also comprises a drum head coupled to the shell through use of a plurality of fasteners. The drum head comprises a tuned configuration. The drum structure is configured to be weather resistant. The drum head is configured to maintain the tuning configuration after a period of outdoor exposure.

Abstract: A rotating playground device is presented. The rotating playground device comprises a Frame configured to rotate, wherein rotation is initiated by a force applied to the frame. The rotating playground device also comprises a braking system configured to limit a speed at which the frame rotates. The rotating playground device is permanently mounted within a playground environment, wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a ground point.

Abstract: A drum configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is presented. The drum comprises a mounting structure configured to permanently engage a mounting surface in the outdoor environment. The drum also comprises a shell coupled to the mounting structure. The drum also comprises a drum head coupled to the shell through use of a plurality of fasteners. The drum head comprises a tuned configuration. The drum structure is configured to be weather resistant. The drum head is configured to maintain the tuning configuration after a period of outdoor exposure.

Abstract: A metallophone structure configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is provided. The metallophone structure comprises a mounting structure. The metallophone structure also comprises a set of tone producing devices each coupled to the mounting structure by a fastener, wherein each tone producing device is configured to, when actuated, produce a sound frequency. The tone producing device is coupled in a location, by the fastener, as to reduce the effect on the quality of sound produced. The metallophone structure also comprises a mallet cradle configured to receive a mallet. The mallet is configured to actuate one of the tone producing devices. The metallophone structure is configured to be weather resistant such that each tone producing device still produces the sound frequency after an outdoor exposure period.

Abstract: The techniques described herein provide software testing that may concurrently process a user request using a live version of software and a shadow request, which is based on the user request, using a shadow version of software (e.g., trial or test version, etc.). The live version of software, unlike the shadow version, is user-facing and transmits data back to the users while the shadow request does not output to the users. An allocation module may vary allocation of the shadow requests to enable a ramp up of allocations (or possibly ramp down) of the shadow version of software. The allocation module may use allocation rules to dynamically initiate the shadow request based on various factors such as load balancing, user attributes, and/or other rules or logic. Thus, not all user requests may be issued as shadow requests.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods are described for managing computing capacity by a provider of computing resources. The computing resources may include program execution capabilities, data storage or management capabilities, network bandwidth, etc. Multiple user programs can consume a single computing resource, and a single user program can consume multiple computing resources. Changes in usage and other environmental factors can require scaling of the computing resources to reduce or prevent a negative impact on performance. In some implementations, a fuzzy logic engine can be used to determine the appropriate adjustments to make to the computing resources associated with a program in order to keep a system metric within a desired operating range.

Abstract: Rope clamps and methods for attaching rope clamps to climbing structures are provided. Rope clamps illustratively comprises a clamp portion configured to be attached to a climbing structure, wherein the clamp portion comprises a clamp body, a cover, a rope path and a fastener. The clamp body is configured to engage a portion of the climbing structure. The cover is configured to engage with a front of the clamp body. The rope path extends between the clamp body and the cover. The fastener is configured to attach the cover to the clamp body. Further, at least one rope configured to enter the rope path at a first point, extend through the rope path and exit the rope path at a second point.

Abstract: A speed modifying device is provided. The speed modifying device comprises a base member. The speed modifying device also comprises a crank hub operably coupled to the base member. The speed modifying device also comprises a speed control mechanism rotatably attached, at a first end, to the crank hub, and rotatably attached, at a second end, to the base member. The speed control mechanism is configured to limit rotational motion of the crank hub.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed in part to testing of different versions of software or software components (software versions) and analyzing results of use (e.g., user interaction) of the different software versions. The techniques described herein provide software testing that varies the allocation to enable a ramp up of allocations to/from another software version. The allocation module may use allocation rules to assign requests to each software version based on various factors such as load balancing, user attributes, past user assignment, and/or other rules or logic. An analysis of the different software versions may include an analysis of system performance resulting from operation of each software version. An analysis may determine attributes of each user and then allocate the user to a software version based on at least some of the determined attributes.

Abstract: Rotating inclusive play devices are provided. In certain embodiments, a rotating play device includes a stationary base, a rotatable portion, and a speed limiting device that connects the stationary base to the rotatable portion. The speed limiting device illustratively limits a rotational speed of the rotatable portion relative to the stationary base. The rotatable portion may have an elevated outer perimeter that includes recessed and raised portions. The speed limiting device may include a cranking mechanism and/or a piston mechanism.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods are described for managing computing capacity by a provider of computing resources. The computing resources may include program execution capabilities, data storage or management capabilities, network bandwidth, etc. Multiple user programs can consume a single computing resource, and a single user program can consume multiple computing resources. Changes in usage and other environmental factors can require scaling of the computing resources to reduce or prevent a negative impact on performance. In some implementations, a fuzzy logic engine can be used to determine the appropriate adjustments to make to the computing resources associated with a program in order to keep a system metric within a desired operating range.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods are described for managing computing capacity by a provider of computing resources. The computing resources may include program execution capabilities, data storage or management capabilities, network bandwidth, etc. Multiple user programs can consume a single computing resource, and a single user program can consume multiple computing resources. Changes in usage and other environmental factors can require scaling of the computing resources to reduce or prevent a negative impact on performance. In some implementations, a fuzzy logic engine can be used to determine the appropriate adjustments to make to the computing resources associated with a program in order to keep a system metric within a desired operating range.

Abstract: Embodiments of play systems having multiple curved structural members are disclosed. Play systems illustratively include a first quarter of an ellipse, a second quarter of an ellipse, a third quarter of an ellipse, and a fourth quarter of an ellipse. Each ellipse quarter has first and second ends. The first, the second, the third, and the fourth ellipse quarters are oriented approximately vertically relative to a surface such that the first ends of the ellipse quarters contact the surface and the second ends of the ellipse quarters are above the surface. The first ends of the ellipse quarters are optionally spaced further apart from each other than the second ends of the ellipse quarters.