Abstract: A method of increasing the speed of disk reading and writing operations in a database by using nodes of memory and processors where the memory stores programs to be executed by the processors. The data in the database is separated into one or more buckets and at least two replicas of each bucket of data are stored in different storage devices of the nodes. Determining a subset of storage devices that will be dedicated to writing, while keeping at least one replica of each bucket dedicated to reading and dedicating at least a substantial portion of the remaining storage devices to reading.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least one search operator in a search query and detect a boosting indicator associated with the at least one search operator. Additionally, a web server configured to, in response to the detected boosting indicator, and generate a first search result that includes a boosted ranking of at least a subset a plurality of search result items in the search result and display the first search result in a web browser.

Abstract: A method of counting items in a database system. The database system having nodes comprising processors and memory where the memory stores programs to be executed by the processors. Identifying and counting M unique number of items. Determining and storing a logcount for M unique items.

Abstract: At least one key word is detect in a search query. Alternative search query is automatically generated based on the at least one key word. The alternative search query includes a search operator associated with the at least one key word. A first search result is generated based on the alternative search query and displayed in a web browser.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least a search operator in a search query, the search operator being associated with a category of content from a social network site. Also, a web server configured to, in response to detecting the search query, generate a first search result based on at least the category of content associated with the search operator, and display the first search result in a web browser.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slash-tag server. The server can be configured to receive a query including at least one key word from a user, generate an alternative search query, based on the at least one key word in the search query received from the user. The alternative search query may include at least one slashtag associated with the at least one key word for use in searching unaltered internet documents. Also, it may launch a search query using the alternative search query. Further, a web server could be configured to retrieve content from one or more nodes of at least one database cluster, based on the launched search query, generate a first search result, based on the alternative search query, and cause display of the first search result in a web browser.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least one key word in a search query and generate an alternative search query from the at least one key word, the alternative search query being based at least on computing an intermediary search of a plurality of characters from the at least one key word as the plurality of characters are being typed by a user, and for use in searching unaltered internet documents. Also a web server that may be configured to generate a first search result based on the alternative search query and cause display of the first search result in a web browser.