Abstract: Methods and systems for simulating a search, for the purpose of evaluating one or more scoring functions used in ordering item listings for presentation in a search results page are described. Consistent with some embodiments, a simulation platform includes a real-time simulation module that receives search result sets for search queries that result in the conclusion of a transaction. The result set is then processed by the simulation platform with one or more test scoring functions, such that the resulting position of the item listing that has resulted in the transaction can be compared with the actual position at which the item listing was displayed in the actual search results. For each test scoring function, an average rank shift metric is determined, and displayed, thereby providing a metric with which to base decisions about which scoring functions to use in the production system.

Abstract: A pattern of configuration settings to be implemented for a service model corresponding to a system of IT resources is received from a UI. Commands are issued to the IT resources that correspond to configuration items included in the selected pattern to modify configuration settings. When a configuration change resulting from the commands is identified, a current configuration of the service model is compared to a previous configuration to identify modified configuration settings. In response to determining, based on a system performance indicator, improved system performance, the identified modified configuration settings are stored as a candidate pattern in a pattern database. A performance violation is identified for the system and the pattern database is queried to retrieve the candidate pattern including the group of configuration settings.

Abstract: Collecting and distributing information related to recent content publication activity of an instant messaging (IM) user provides other users in a network with timely, relevant information about people known to the user or within the same social network. A user participating in a social network can quickly and efficiently perceive new information related to other users (referred to as co-users) in a social network by reviewing the co-users' recent content publication activity. A user may be made able to do so without requiring the co-user to send a communication directly to the user regarding the new facts or new content, and also without requiring the user to actively browse or request information about the co-user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that facilitates performing searches based on qualitative search terms. During operation, the system receives a query that applies a qualitative search term to an attribute of data items in a set of data items. While executing the query, the system processes each data item in the set of data items by extracting an attribute value from the data item and then using a concept-mapping to determine a compatibility index for the attribute value, wherein the concept-mapping associates each attribute value with a numerical compatibility index that indicates a compatibility between the attribute value and the qualitative search term. Finally, the system uses the compatibility index as a factor in determining whether to include the data item in a set of query results.

Abstract: A system and method for reading file blocks includes reading an inode associated with the file from the file system, the inode including one or more first block pointers, determining a height of a file tree associated with the file, and determining whether a value of a second block pointer selected from the one or more first block pointers is consistent with the file having been stored using a block allocation pattern. When the value of the second block pointer is consistent with the file having been stored using the block allocation pattern the method further includes pre-fetching a plurality of file blocks based on the block allocation pattern, verifying that the pre-fetched file blocks are consistent with the file tree, and retrieving one or more data blocks of the file. In some examples, the block allocation pattern corresponds to the file being stored in streaming order to consecutively and contiguously located blocks.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-based logic flow is presented for a web-enabled tool allowing simultaneous intelligent searching, knowledge management based problem solving, valuation, and modeling of intellectual property and scientific information. The system accesses databases containing intellectual property and scientific information. Additionally, the computer-based logic flow utilizes valuation techniques. The system receives user queries and can simultaneously and automatically access an intellectual property database, a scientific information database, a knowledge management based problem solving database, and a valuation based algorithm database to categorize, analyze, and disseminate pertinent information resulting in modeling and displaying the results. The invention also allows for the simultaneous display of intellectual property and valuation information in one model as well as the non-intellectual property protected scientific information.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that facilitates performing searches based on qualitative search terms. During operation, the system receives a query that applies a qualitative search term to an attribute of data items in a set of data items. While executing the query, the system processes each data item in the set of data items by extracting an attribute value from the data item and then using a concept-mapping to determine a compatibility index for the attribute value, wherein the concept-mapping associates each attribute value with a numerical compatibility index that indicates a compatibility between the attribute value and the qualitative search term. Finally, the system uses the compatibility index as a factor in determining whether to include the data item in a set of query results.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method comprising, by one or more computing devices, installing an application on a portion of a physical disk system of a first platform, virtualizing the portion of the physical disk system into a virtual disk system, comprising, storing data in the portion of the physical disk system in a database of the virtual disk system, providing an interface to access the data stored in the database, and providing a plurality sets of drivers for a plurality of platforms, wherein each set of drivers supports native operations with respect to the portion of the physical disk system on a different one of the plurality of platforms, mounting the virtual disk system on a second platform, and executing the application on the second platform, wherein all operations in connection with executing the application are contained within the virtual disk system mounted on the second platform.

Abstract: This invention discloses how Virtual Database Technology can be used to make disparate data appear to be (or act as) the sort of uniform data one expects to find within a single relational database. In particular, we show how to process queries similar to those one might use in a database, even though the underlying data may be missing some of the capabilities that are required by normal databases. Whereas traditional databases require that all the tuples in a table be stored, our approach allows queries over tables where the tuples are generated as required from the data sources, and may not be stored anywhere. We show how such facilities can be used as a new foundation for Internet search.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for extending media retention. Methods are provided in which a set of aging preferences are obtained. Data elements of a data set stored on storage media are evaluated against the aging preferences to determine whether each of the data elements satisfy the aging preferences. Each of the data elements that is determined to satisfy the aging preferences is aged. Aging can include freeing a portion of storage media, previously used to store a data element, for other storage usage.

Abstract: A system generates a model based on feature data relating to different features of a link from a linking document to a linked document and user behavior data relating to navigational actions associated with the link. The system also assigns a rank to a document based on the model.

Abstract: A computer may detect, during a first time period, a message written to a composer. The computer may analyze a first set of usage patterns of a composer's personal device that correspond to the first time period. The computer may also analyze a second set of usage patterns of the composer's personal device that correspond to a second time period. The computer may identify usage habits of the composer based on analyzing the second set of usage patterns. The computer may also identify a difference between the first set of usage patterns and the usage habits of the composer. The computer may determine that the composer was in an impaired state during the first time period based on the difference. The computer may then notify the composer of the difference.

Abstract: A continuous query parallel engine on data streams provides scalability and increases the throughput by the addition of new nodes. The parallel processing can be applied to data stream processing and complex events processing. The continuous query parallel engine receives the query to be deployed and splits the original query into subqueries, obtaining at least one subquery; each subquery is executed in at least in one node. Tuples produced by each operator of each subquery are labeled with timestamps. A load balancer is interposed at the output of each node that executes each one of the instances of the source subquery and an input merger is interposed in each node that executes each one of the instances of a destination subquery. After checks are performed, further load balancers or input managers may be added.

Abstract: A capability is provided for supporting a service location capability in a peer-to-peer network (P2P), such as a Chord network or other P2P network. In one embodiment, a method for locating a service within a P2P network is provided. The P2P network includes a plurality of nodes, including a target node which performs the method for locating the service within the P2P network. The target node includes a search table including a plurality of entries identifying a respective plurality of nodes of the P2P network. The method includes detecting a request to search for the service within the P2P network and initiating, toward at least one of the nodes of the search table, a service search request. The service search request is a request to identify at least one node of the P2P network that supports the service. The service search request includes information indicative of the service and a search range for use by the node receiving the service search request.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a web-based query is provided. The system comprises a web server for transmitting a web form having a text field box for entering a natural language query, and a language analysis server for extracting concepts from the natural language query and classifying the natural language query into predefined categories via computed match scores based upon the extracted concepts and information contained within an adaptable knowledge base. In various embodiments, the web server selectively transmits either a resource page or a confirmation page to the client, based upon the match scores. The resource page may comprise at least one suggested response corresponding to at least one predefined category. The language analysis server may adapt the knowledge base in accordance with a communicative action received from the client after the resource page is transmitted.

Abstract: A method includes computing, in a local storage system having a local volume with a plurality of local regions, respective local checksum signatures over the local regions, and computing, in a remote storage system having a remote volume with remote regions in a one-to-one correspondence with the local regions, respective remote checksum signatures over the remote regions. A given remote region is identified, the given remote region having a given remote signature and a corresponding local region with a given local signature that does not match the given remote signature. The data in the given remote region is then replaced with data from the corresponding local region.

Abstract: A method of adapting a GUI that comprises selecting a group of multivariable objects which comply with a search query from a plurality of multivariable objects, each the plurality of multivariable object is defined by a plurality of object variable values each of one of a plurality of object variables, for each one of the plurality of object variables, calculating a plurality of difference values each defines a difference between a first object variable value of one of the group of multivariable objects and a second object variable value of another of the group of multivariable objects, identifying a set of differentiating object variables from the plurality of object variables according to an analysis of the plurality of difference values of each one of the plurality of object variables, and updating a GUI accordingly.

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: Described are methods, systems and computer readable media for data object publishing/subscribing via a multicast key-value protocol.

Abstract: A social networking system provides relevant third-party content objects to users by matching user location, interests, and other social information with the content, location, and timing associated with the content objects. Content objects are provided based on relevance scores specific to a user. Relevance scores may be calculated based on the user's previous interactions with content object notifications, or based on interests that are common between the user and his or her connections in the social network. Context search is also provided for a user, wherein a list of search of results is ranked according to the relevance score of content object associated with the search results. Notifications may also be priced and distributed to users based on their relevance. In this way, the system can provide notifications that are relevant to user's interests and current circumstances, increasing the likelihood that they will find content objects of interest.