Abstract: A method for increasing transfer quality between a content requestor and a content source on a content distribution system. The method involves determining transfer quality between the requestor and various content sources. The determination is made from the requestor's perspective. After determining transfer qualities for the various content sources, the requester provides the transfer qualities to a selector on the content distribution system. The selector uses the determined transfer qualities select a content source to supply the requestor.

Abstract: A system for providing reconfigurable graphical user interfaces. An original GUI, such as one might use to control an audio or video player application program, is modified by a designer such that the end-user of the GUI can alter individual subsections of the GUI or alternatively designate such sections as non-reconfigurable. The designer thus controls the properties of the GUI, while allowing the end-user to individual aspects of the GUI.

Abstract: A system for identifying files can use fingerprints to compare various files and determine redundant files. Frequency representations of portions of files can be used, such as Fast Fourier Transforms, as the fingerprints.

Abstract: A method for increasing transfer quality between a content requestor and a content source on a content distribution system. The method involves determining transfer quality between the requestor and various content sources. The determination is made from the requestor's perspective. After determining transfer qualities for the various content sources, the requester provides the transfer qualities to a selector on the content distribution system. The selector uses the determined transfer qualities select a content source to supply the requestor.

Abstract: The invention relates to gathering information for a networked directory. In one embodiment, a method for gathering information for a directory on a packet switched network is disclosed. In one step, a directory is determined for a first web site. The directory is reported to a second web site a first time. After detecting changes on the first web site, the directory is updated with the changes. The directory is reported to a second web site a second time.

Abstract: A method for increasing transfer quality between a content requestor and a content source on a content distribution system. The method involves determining transfer quality between the requestor and various content sources. The determination is made from the requestor's perspective. After determining transfer qualities for the various content sources, the requester provides the transfer qualities to a selector on the content distribution system. The selector uses the determined transfer qualities select a content source to supply the requestor.

Abstract: The invention relates to routing delivery of content from a network. In one embodiment, a method for client-side routing of a content object between a plurality of datapaths to a server is disclosed. A first datapath with the server is associated with a first party. A second datapath with the server is associated with a second party. The client computer is used to automatically determine which of the first and second datapaths to receive the content object from.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for encapsulating information in an encoded uniform resource identifier (URI) having a plurality of fields that is presented by a web site to a user for selection during an interaction session between the web site and the user is disclosed. In one step, a URI field is chosen for encapsulating the information. First information is determined that comprises at least one of second information and third information. The third information is unrelated to the interaction session. Fifth information related to the first information is formatted to create sixth information. Sixth information is embedded in the field to form the encoded URI. The encoded URI is presented to the user.