Abstract: A file transfer system includes peer devices, including an index creating device and at least one requesting peer device. The index creating device creates an index of stored files that can be requested by peer devices. The index creating device evaluates communications requests from the peer devices and accepts communications requests in accordance with user defined criteria. The index creating device communicates with a requesting peer device when the communications request from the requesting peer device has been accepted, and also stores the index, which is linked to an identification. The requesting peer device requests files that are listed in the index linked to the identification. The requesting peer device also creates the file request, which includes a list of the selected files and the identification, transmits the file request to the index creating device, and receives the requested files listed in the index.

Abstract: A facility for managing distributed application requests is described. The facility receives from a client for a distinguished distributed application executing in a computing system a communication to be delivered to a server for the distinguished distributed application. The facility retrieves a list of servers for the distinguished distributed application. The facility selects a server for the distinguished distributed application from the retrieved list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide digital receipts for third-party electronic commerce transactions, using a Web Receipt Service. The digital receipts can be used to validate the details of electronic transactions carried out over public networks such as the Internet. A Web service provides a digital receipt comprising a transaction record identifying transaction details. The transaction record is sent to the Web Receipt Service, where a computer controlled by the Web Receipt Service digitally signs and encrypts the record. The transaction record is encrypted such that it may be later decrypted only by the Web Receipt Service and cannot be altered by others. A digital receipt is formed comprising the encrypted transaction record, which may be embedded in a graphic using steganography to enable display in a Web page. The digital receipt containing the encrypted transaction record is returned electronically to each of the parties to the transaction.

Abstract: A file authentication requesting device that stores a computer program for requesting authentication of files in digital systems, the device comprises a confirmation request system that generates a request for a confirmation receipt from a third party authenticator authenticating the attributes of a file; a transferring system that transfers attributes of at least one file to be authenticated to the third party authenticator from the device that requested the confirmation; and a receiving system that receives the confirmation receipt comprising authenticated file attributes, after authentication by the third party authenticator; wherein, at least one file authentication is received from the third party authenticator. Corresponding processing devices, media, systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A file transfer system includes peer devices, including an index creating device and at least one requesting peer device. The index creating device creates an index of stored files that can be requested by peer devices. The index creating device evaluates communications requests from the peer devices and accepts communications requests in accordance with user defined criteria. The index creating device communicates with a requesting peer device when the communications request from the requesting peer device has been accepted, and also stores the index, which is linked to an identification. The requesting peer device requests files that are listed in the index linked to the identification. The requesting peer device also creates the file request, which includes a list of the selected files and the identification, transmits the file request to the index creating device, and receives the requested files listed in the index.

Abstract: A computer data signal embodied in a propagation medium is provided. The signal enables a variable number of data transfers and includes an initial connection source code segment and a data transfer source code segment. The initial connection source code segment establishes a connection between at least two devices via predetermined listening ports, with at least one predetermined listening port residing within each device. The initial connection source code segment also dynamically assigns a first data port within a first device, and transmits the address of the first data port to a remaining device via the predetermined listening ports. The data transfer source code segment is for each of the variable number of data transfer operations.

Abstract: A computer data signal embodied in a propagation medium is provided. The signal enables a variable number of data transfers and includes an initial connection source code segment and a data transfer source code segment. The initial connection source code segment establishes a connection between at least two devices via predetermined listening ports, with at least one predetermined listening port residing within each device. The initial connection source code segment also dynamically assigns a first data port within a first device, and transmits the address of the first data port to a remaining device via the predetermined listening ports. The data transfer source code segment is for each of the variable number of data transfer operations.