Abstract: Method of generating customized avatars based on location information includes processor receiving from first client device location information including a location of the first client device. Processor causes a status interface to be displayed on first client device that includes selectable location items corresponding to locations based on the location information. Processor receives a selection from first client device of first selectable location item and causes avatar selection interface to be displayed on first client device that includes versions of first avatar performing actions related to the first selectable location item. Processor receives selection of first selectable version of the first avatar and generates a map interface that includes a map display based on the location information and the first selectable version of the first avatar. Processor causes the map interface to be displayed on at least one of the plurality of client devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for efficiently maintaining snapshot instances. To maintain the state of snapshot instances, the snapshot copies the data needed to be protected into free space on the same volume. In order to identify whether a block is free, a snapshot record is created for each block on a volume to record write operations on the block. With these snapshot records, the allocation status of blocks on a volume can quickly be identified. Free space allocation is then accomplished by allocating free space via the file-system provided interface and identifying it with snapshot records. With this mechanism, snapshot software can allocate free space to store snapshot metadata and “copy-to-write” data dynamically.

Abstract: A method for efficiently maintaining snapshot instances. To maintain the state of snapshot instances, the snapshot copies the data needed to be protected into free space on the same volume. In order to identify whether a block is free, a snapshot record is created for each block on a volume to record write operations on the block. With these snapshot records, the allocation status of blocks on a volume can quickly be identified. Free space allocation is then accomplished by allocating free space via the file-system provided interface and identifying it with snapshot records. With this mechanism, snapshot software can allocate free space to store snapshot metadata and “copy-to-write” data dynamically.