Abstract: Resources are partitioned via a virtual partitioning system to distribute the resources over a plurality of resource servers. A virtual partition table can be kept at each of a set of resource managers handling requests for resources in tandem. When a resource is requested, a virtual partition value is calculated algorithmically, and the value is mapped to a resource component via the virtual partition table. The resource component encapsulates information indicating on which of the resource servers the resource resides and can provide a component for performing operations on the resource even though the requester does not have information about where the resource resides. The resources can be repartitioned by modifying the virtual partition table, thus allowing the addition of additional resource servers to the system while the resources remain available. Additional resource types can be added without reengineering the system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a client device is sent an indication of one or more types of information available for the client device. In response to the indication, a request is received from the client device to retrieve the information available for the client device. The information is identified and sent to the client device. In accordance with another aspect, one or more friends of the user are identified from persistent data, and a check made as to whether each of them is logged in to the system. For each of them that is logged in to the system, the user is subscribed to the friend's information and the friend is subscribed to the user's information. In accordance with another aspect, a user is allowed to be a friend of another user only if the other user is also a friend of the user.

Abstract: Resources are partitioned via a virtual partitioning system to distribute the resources over a plurality of resource servers. A virtual partition table can be kept at each of a set of resource managers handling requests for resources in tandem. When a resource is requested, a virtual partition value is calculated algorithmically, and the value is mapped to a resource component via the virtual partition table. The resource component encapsulates information indicating on which of the resource servers the resource resides and can provide a component for performing operations on the resource even though the requester does not have information about where the resource resides. The resources can be repartitioned by modifying the virtual partition table, thus allowing the addition of additional resource servers to the system while the resources remain available. Additional resource types can be added without reengineering the system.

Abstract: Resources are partitioned via a virtual partitioning system to distribute the resources over a plurality of resource servers. A virtual partition table can be kept at each of a set of resource managers handling requests for resources in tandem. When a resource is requested, a virtual partition value is calculated algorithmically, and the value is mapped to a resource component via the virtual partition table. The resource component encapsulates information indicating on which of the resource servers the resource resides and can provide a component for performing operations on the resource even though the requester does not have information about where the resource resides. The resources can be repartitioned by modifying the virtual partition table, thus allowing the addition of additional resource servers to the system while the resources remain available. Additional resource types can be added without reengineering the system.

Abstract: Resources are partitioned via a virtual partitioning system to distribute the resources over a plurality of resource servers. A virtual partition table can be kept at each of a set of resource managers handling requests for resources in tandem. When a resource is requested, a virtual partition value is calculated algorithmically, and the value is mapped to a resource component via the virtual partition table. The resource component encapsulates information indicating on which of the resource servers the resource resides and can provide a component for performing operations on the resource even though the requestor does not have information about where the resource resides. The resources can be repartitioned by modifying the virtual partition table, thus allowing the addition of additional resource servers to the system while the resources remain available. Additional resource types can be added without reengineering the system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a client device is sent an indication of one or more types of information available for the client device. In response to the indication, a request is received from the client device to retrieve the information available for the client device. The information is identified and sent to the client device. In accordance with another aspect, one or more friends of the user are identified from persistent data, and a check made as to whether each of them is logged in to the system. For each of them that is logged in to the system, the user is subscribed to the friend's information and the friend is subscribed to the user's information. In accordance with another aspect, a user is allowed to be a friend of another user only if the other user is also a friend of the user.