Abstract: A volume having a selected storage capacity is emulated within a computer configuration by (a) representing to an operating system of the computer configuration the presence of the volume having the selected storage capacity and addresses for reading data therefrom and writing data thereto, (b) writing data to an address of the volume by, (i) writing the data to an address of a data store with which the volume address is associated, or (ii) writing the data to an address of the data store with which no volume address is associated, and associating the volume address with that data store address, and (c) reading data from a volume address by, (i) reading the data from a data store address with which the volume address has been associated in accordance with the writing step, or (ii) returning data that has not been written to the volume in the writing step.

Abstract: A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copying that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot.

Abstract: A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copying that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot.

Abstract: A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copy that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot.

Abstract: A volume having a selected storage capacity is emulated within a computer configuration by (a) representing to an operating system of the computer configuration the presence of the volume having the selected storage capacity and addresses for reading data therefrom and writing data thereto, (b) writing data to an address of the volume by, (i) writing the data to an address of a data store with which the volume address is associated, or (ii) writing the data to an address of the data store with which no volume address is associated, and associating the volume address with that data store address, and (c) reading data from a volume address by, (i) reading the data from a data store address with which the volume address has been associated in accordance with the writing step, or (ii) returning data that has not been written to the volume in the writing step.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a check for the presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium including thereon a second program. The first removable storage medium is replaced after a first program thereon has been read. The first program includes computer-executable instructions resulting in the reading and running of the second program, and the second program includes computer-executable instructions resulting in the initiating of the operation on the computer. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium. The first removable storage medium is replaced with the second removable storage medium after a program on the first removable storage medium has been read by the computer. The program includes computer-executable instructions for determining the presence or absence within the computer configuration of the second removable storage medium in place of the first removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a program on the removable storage medium has been read and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed in accordance with the program. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium. The first removable storage medium is replaced with the second removable storage medium after a program on the first removable storage medium has been read by the computer. The program includes computer-executable instructions for determining the presence or absence within the computer configuration of the second removable storage medium in place of the first removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a program on the removable storage medium has been read and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed in accordance with the program. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by changing, within the computer configuration, the state of the combined presence of a first removable storage medium and a second removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a check for the presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium including thereon a second program. The first removable storage medium is replaced after a first program thereon has been read. The first program includes computer-executable instructions resulting in the reading and running of the second program, and the second program includes computer-executable instructions resulting in the initiating of the operation on the computer. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copying that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot.

Abstract: A temporal data store includes one or more data groups in an online archive or snapshot systems. Each data group in turn includes a plurality of members, data of each of which is preserved in a finite data storage having a fixed, predetermined storage capacity. Each data group further has associated therewith a time point, and each member of each data group has associated therewith a preservation weight. Upon detecting that finite data storage consumption has reached a first level, then for each member in order of increasing preservation weight beginning with the one or more members having the lowest preservation weight, successively deleting each member in increasing chronological order beginning with the oldest member first, until the finite data storage consumption has reached a second lower level. Each member of the data group may include a snapshot or a backup.

Abstract: A method of managing a collection of members, wherein each member has data preserved in a finite data storage and each member belongs to a different data group of a temporal data store with which the finite data storage is associated, includes the step of deleting the oldest member of the collection upon the addition of a new member to the collection when the number of members of the collection exceeds a predetermined maximum number. The new member of the collection may be added to the collection after a member is deleted if the predetermined maximum number otherwise would be exceeded or, alternatively, the new member of the collection may be added to the collection, the predetermined maximum number of member then exceeded, and a member then deleted.

Abstract: A method of managing the recordation of data sets to a finite data storage medium, each respective data set having associated therewith a time of creation and a preservation weight from a range of allowable preservation weights, comprises detecting that the finite data storage medium has reached or exceeded its effective capacity; for all data sets currently stored in the finite data storage medium, successively deleting each respective data set with the lowest preservation weight and earliest time of creation until the finite data storage medium is below a threshold capacity; and once below the threshold capacity, recording a new data set to the finite data storage medium. In a further aspect, when all data sets remaining in the data storage medium are identified as permanent and the data storage medium is still at or above its effective capacity, an error message is returned and no new data set is recorded.