Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for synchronizing data stores. A notification is received indicating that a write transaction was performed to a data store. The notification includes a path used by the write transaction. When a predetermined delay has passed after the receipt of the notification, a read is performed from the path included in the notification. In response to at least completion of the read, data returned by the read is written to a different data store.

Abstract: A cooling system includes one or more air channeling sub-systems that provide cooling air to electronic equipment, at least one heat removal sub-system that removes heat from the cooling air in at least one of the air channeling sub-systems, at least one temperature sensor measures a wet bulb temperature of outside air, and at least one controller. At least one of the air channeling sub-systems includes an outside air damper operable allow outside air into the air channeling sub-system. The at least one controller at least partially opens the outside air damper if a wet bulb temperature measured at the at least one temperature sensor drops to or below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Secure information is managed for each host or machine in an electronic environment using cryptographic keys. In some embodiments, a globally distributed system manage and rotate keys across various nodes within the system based on a predetermined schedule of each key's lifecycle. The predetermined schedule decides when keys are created, distributed, and used with respect to each key's pre-assigned time (e.g., an expiration time, a creation time). The schedule of the key's lifecycle may be predetermined and adjusted based on various system requirements. The keys may be automatically rotated throughout the various nodes in the system in a way such that the keys are not unnecessarily exposed for too long but are accessible to the ciphertext producers and the ciphertext consumers when needed. Further, the keys are created and rotated in a way to ensure robustness of the system in the event of a global WAN outage or network partition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interfaces to manage direct network peerings. A system may include a data center, endpoint routers and a connectivity coordinator. The coordinator implements a programmatic interface defining connectivity operations. The coordinator receives a request for dedicated connectivity to data center resources, formatted according to the interface. The coordinator selects a target endpoint router at which to establish a physical link to implement the dedicated connectivity, and transmits a response identifying the target endpoint router and including configuration instructions for setting up a physical link for the dedicated connectivity.

Abstract: A system and method for a librarian facilitates appraising the value of all or selected products in a collection of products. The collection of products may be part of a library that includes one or more photographic images of the library, and an inventory of the products revealed in those images. The librarian facilitates appraising the value of products in the collection with reference to the images. Appraisals may be automatically updated, and users notified in accordance with user notification preferences. An automated referral may be provided to the user to sell all or selected ones of the appraised inventory of products, individually or together. An extended appraisal may be provided to facilitate enhancing the value of a collection in the library.

Abstract: A content publisher can use a publisher tool to tag various content elements, which enables a user viewing content from the publisher to view related advertising. In at least some embodiments, the tool is a toolbar that the publisher can use to tag content elements such as images and text, whereby the toolbar can recommend related items to be linked to those content elements. The items can be associated with an entity, such as an advertiser or electronic retailer, that will provide some level of compensation to the publisher in return for the linking. Such an approach enables the publisher to monetize the content in a way that is minimally intrusive for the end user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance metric information associated with processing a request for an original resource and any embedded resource. The processing device uses the processed performance metric information to determine a set of service providers for alternatively hosting, processing, and/or transmitting at least a portion of the original resource and/or any embedded resources. In some embodiments, in making such a determination, the processing device assesses performance metric information collected and associated with subsequent resource requests for the original resource and any embedded resources using each of a variety of alternative set(s) of service providers.

Abstract: A resource stack managed by a resource stack provider is created based on a resource stack template that integrates a custom resource from a second provider into the resource stack using a notification system with the second provider. For example, a customer may create a template that defines a resource stack that comprises resources available from the resource stack provider and one or more custom resources provided by a second provider. When a resource stack is created, resources available from the resource stack provider may be provisioned. Custom resources may be initialized by notifying the provider of the custom resource of the requested integration of the custom resource with the resource stack and requested configuration details. The custom resource provider may respond with an indication of successful integration when the custom resource has been successfully initialized. After initializing the resources, the resource stack may be enabled for use.

Abstract: The accuracy of bid amounts for electronic advertising is improved by accounting for factors such as the cost-per-click (CPC) ratio for each ad. When a provider such as a search engine selects advertisements using automated auctions, it can be desirable for an advertiser to avoid underbidding for ads when the ads generate a significant amount of revenue or profit, or are otherwise performing well. Various algorithms can be used to generate a bid adjustment factor that allows bid values to be increased (or decreased) as appropriate, based on information such as CPC information. By calculating a separate adjustment factor, the amount of adjustment can be monitored and/or capped to avoid overspending. The algorithms also can utilize information at various levels of categorization, and at different time intervals, depending on the amount and type of information available, in order to provide an accurate and significant result.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for robotic induction in materials handling facilities with multiple inventory areas are disclosed. A control system directs one of one or more robotic devices to transport a particular portable storage unit of a plurality of portable storage units from a stock storage area to a particular induction and stowage station of one or more induction and stowage stations. The control system directs induction of one or more single units of items from one or more locations of the particular portable storage unit, while the particular portable storage unit is located at the induction and stowage station, into the conveyance mechanism. The control system directs stowage of received stock comprising one or more types of items to one or more indicated locations of the particular portable storage unit while the particular portable storage unit is located at the particular induction and stowage station.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments involving access to guest orders in an electronic commerce application. In one embodiment, a guest order is generated for the purchase of a product in a server based on interaction with a client over a network. The guest order is stored in a data store in isolation with respect to a plurality of user accounts and in isolation with respect to a plurality of other guest orders stored in the data store. Client access is provided in the server to order data associated with the guest order to facilitate at least one customer action with respect to the guest order.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating transactions involving items and users in various ways. In some situations, item transactions are coordinated by an automated Item Transaction (or “IT”) system provided via one or more computing systems, such that users of the IT system who have available items are matched with other users of the IT system who desire those items. The types of items being involved in transactions via the IT system may vary, and in some situations may include items such as music CDs, video DVDs, computer games, computer software, etc. The operation of the IT system may be enhanced in various ways, including by selecting appropriate users to receive opportunities to sell items available from those users, such as in a manner to balance supply and demand for items, and by notifying the selected users of those opportunities.

Abstract: The relative health of data storage drives may be determined based, at least in some aspects, on data access information and/or other drive operation information. In some examples, upon receiving the operation information from a computing device, a health level of a drive may be determined. The health level determination may be based at least in part on operating information received from a client entity. Additionally, a storage space allocation instruction or operation may be determined for execution. The allocation instruction or operation determined to be performed may be based at least in part on the determined health level.

Abstract: A portable device is provided that is adapted to remotely control content on a nearby display screen. The portable device includes a button which, upon selection, sends commands with respect to current content on the nearby display screen. The portable device is adapted to send a command that specifies an electronic address of new content from an electronic network for display on the nearby display screen.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for implementing a client of a distributed lock manager comprising a plurality of nodes. The client is configured to send a request to the distributed lock manager, the request including a local time of the client. The client receives a response to the request from a node of the distributed lock manager where the request includes an echo of the local time included in the request. The response also indicates that a lock corresponding to a given resource has been granted to the client and the client subsequently utilizes the resource. The client subsequently determines that a safe period of time has elapsed for using the resource. This determination is dependent at least on a client staleness corresponding to a difference between the echoed time and current local time at the client.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for validating updates to domain name system (DNS) records. A request is received to modify at least one DNS record associated with a domain owned by a domain owner. The request to modify the at least one DNS record is compared with at least one policy. The at least one policy is configurable by the domain owner. The requested modification to the at least one DNS record is selectively granted based at least upon the comparison.

Abstract: Bid amounts for electronic advertising can be adjusted throughout the day, or for different days, according to a day parting schedule based on factors such as variations in efficiency. For any set of advertisements grouped based on factors such as keyword, landing page, geographic location, user demographic, etc., values can be forecast for each time period throughout the day. A variation threshold is used to group adjacent periods of time into partitions, and the threshold can be varied until the number of partitions meets the requirements of the provider with whom the advertisement is to be placed. An adjustment factor can be determined for each partition using the forecast information, and these factors can be uploaded to the provider to adjust the base bid price for any advertisement in that group at the appropriate times throughout the day.

Abstract: Multi-tenant resources can be funded using payment submitted with requests for those resources, such that the resources do not need to be associated with a specific user account. A resource can be allocated and available as long as payment has been provided. If a user wants the resource to be available for additional processing, for example, the user can submit another request with additional funding. The funding can come in the form of donations from any user, or in the form of investments where the investor expects some return on the investment in the form of revenue, visibility, or other such compensation. One or more management components can track funding for various resources, can accept and select bids for period of sponsorship, and can manage various donation models.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content is disclosed. A content download service initially registers client computing devices to receive content. Therefore, when the content download service receives a request from a requesting client computing device to download content to a receiving client computing device, the content or download instructions are sent to the receiving client computing device. Downloading is controlled by the content download service and a software agent installed on the receiving client computing devices when they are registered. Content request and content download occur over a computer network, such as the Internet. The content may be stored by the content download service and supplied to the receiving client computing device by the download service, or stored by a content supply service and supplied to the receiving client computing device either directly or via the content download service.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and associated processes that provide digital rights management for applications. In some embodiments, these system and processes couple DRM protection with individual applications, rather than with a centralized service. For instance, these systems and processes can be implemented in the context of an application store or distribution service that distributes applications for purchase or for free to user devices. Developers can submit applications to the application distribution service for distribution to end users. In response to receiving an application from a developer, the application distribution service can modify the application to include DRM features. The application distribution service can accomplish this modification without input from or the knowledge of the developer. The DRM features included in the modified application can prevent or otherwise reduce copying or modifying of the application.