Abstract: A set of desktop icons on a graphical user interface (GUI) desktop can be selected, which marks the icons as being associated with a desktop container. In the GUI, a visual depiction that the selected desktop icons are associated with the desktop container can occur. The desktop container can be a GUI object for grouping a set of desktop icons and for manipulating a grouped set of desktop icons as a group. A user interaction with the desktop container can be received, which results in a container action being performed. The container action can affect each of the selected desktop icons and/or can affect targets to which each of the selected desktop icons point.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving management of user information in instant messaging systems. Expiration criteria are defined, whereby one or more users or user groups may be considered as having “expired” from consideration by instant messaging functions such as presence determination. In particular, instant messaging activity is preferably used as an expiration criterion. Absence of inbound or outbound messages for a specified amount of time (or since a particular date/time) can therefore be used as a trigger for treating a user or group of users as expired. As a result, efficiency of an instant messaging system is improved by omitting the expired users and groups from subsequent management operations. Optionally, an expired user or group may be revived upon occurrence of certain events (such as a newly-arriving instant message from, or a change in presence status of, the user or group).

Abstract: Using a specification of a device, a performance capability of the device is computed for hosting a local question and answer (Q and A) system on the device. Based on the specification and a Q and A need, a knowledgebase is selected from a set of knowledgebases in use at a remote Q and A system. The knowledgebase is pruned according to the performance capability of the device, forming a pruned knowledgebase. A Q and A system container (container) is constructed using the pruned knowledgebase. A subset of algorithms is added in the container from a set of algorithms in use at the remote Q and A system. The algorithms in the subset apply to the pruned knowledgebase. The container is deployed as the local Q and A system on the device and updated using an evaluation of an operation of the container.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving management of user information in instant messaging systems. Expiration criteria are defined, whereby one or more users or user groups may be considered as having “expired” from consideration by instant messaging functions such as presence determination. In particular, instant messaging activity is preferably used as an expiration criterion. Absence of inbound or outbound messages for a specified amount of time (or since a particular date/time) can therefore be used as a trigger for treating a user or group of users as expired. As a result, efficiency of an instant messaging system is improved by omitting the expired users and groups from subsequent management operations. Optionally, an expired user or group may be revived upon occurrence of certain events (such as a newly-arriving instant message from, or a change in presence status of, the user or group).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving management of user information in instant messaging systems. Expiration criteria are defined, whereby one or more users or user groups may be considered as having “expired” from consideration by instant messaging functions such as presence determination. In particular, instant messaging activity is preferably used as an expiration criterion. Absence of inbound or outbound messages for a specified amount of time (or since a particular date/time) can therefore be used as a trigger for treating a user or group of users as expired. As a result, efficiency of an instant messaging system is improved by omitting the expired users and groups from subsequent management operations. Optionally, an expired user or group may be revived upon occurrence of certain events (such as a newly-arriving instant message from, or a change in presence status of, the user or group).

Abstract: A set of desktop icons on a graphical user interface (GUI) desktop can be selected, which marks the icons as being associated with a desktop container. In the GUI, a visual depiction that the selected desktop icons are associated with the desktop container can occur. The desktop container can be a GUI object for grouping a set of desktop icons and for manipulating a grouped set of desktop icons as a group. A user interaction with the desktop container can be received, which results in a container action being performed. The container action can affect each of the selected desktop icons and/or can affect targets to which each of the selected desktop icons point.

Abstract: A set of desktop icons on a graphical user interface (GUI) desktop can be selected, which marks the icons as being associated with a desktop container. In the GUI, a visual depiction that the selected desktop icons are associated with the desktop container can occur. The desktop container can be a GUI object for grouping a set of desktop icons and for manipulating a grouped set of desktop icons as a group. A user interaction with the desktop container can be received, which results in a container action being performed. The container action can affect each of the selected desktop icons and/or can affect targets to which each of the selected desktop icons point.

Abstract: A method to dynamically adjust priority may include providing a boost, by a processing device, to an element relative to at least one other element in response to a boost feature associated with the element being activated. Providing the boost to the element may include providing a predetermined longer duration of use of a shared use resource to the element relative to the at least one other element based on a boost setting associated with the element. The boost results in adjusting a priority of the element by allowing the element to complete a task in a shorter time period.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving management of user information in instant messaging systems. Expiration criteria are defined, whereby one or more users or user groups may be considered as having “expired” from consideration by instant messaging functions such as presence determination. In particular, instant messaging activity is preferably used as an expiration criterion. Absence of inbound or outbound messages for a specified amount of time (or since a particular date/time) can therefore be used as a trigger for treating a user or group of users as expired. As a result, efficiency of an instant messaging system is improved by omitting the expired users and groups from subsequent management operations. Optionally, an expired user or group may be revived upon occurrence of certain events (such as a newly-arriving instant message from, or a change in presence status of, the user or group). “On-demand” expiration and revival are preferably provided as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for firmware network device firmware cloning are described herein. Exemplary embodiments include firmware cloning systems and methods, including a means for reading firmware code stored in a network device for and copying the firmware code to another network device. In a blade server environment, a firmware-cloning utility is stored in a non-volatile memory of each network device. The firmware-cloning utility becomes a component of the actual firmware. The firmware-cloning utility allows firmware to be installed directly from one network device's non-volatile memory to another network device.

Abstract: A computer program product for cloning an authentic master firmware to create a child firmware, the instructions for implementing a method include receiving cloning instructions; locating a secure source including the authentic master firmware; and cloning the authentic master firmware to create the child firmware.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for controlling a wireless access point range. In one embodiment, the process identifies a distance between the client device and the wireless access point in response to a request by a client device to access the wireless access point. The process allows the client device to access the wireless access point if the distance from the client device to the wireless access point is within the selected access range for the wireless access point.

Abstract: A method, server system, and computer program storage product are disclosed. At least a first unique identifier from a first remote processing system is received. The first unique identifier is associated with a first remote software package that is on the first remote processing system. The first unique identifier and a second unique identifier are compared. The second unique identifier is associated with a second remote software package that is on a second remote processing system. The first unique identifier indicates that the first remote software package is one of a parent and a child copy of a software package executable. The second unique identifier indicates that the second remote software package is one of a parent and a child copy of the software package executable. An operation of at least one of the first remote software package and the second remote software package is authorized based upon the comparing.

Abstract: Virtual stacking is utilized in a virtual machine environment by receiving a data element for storage to a shared memory location and writing to the shared memory location. Writing to the shared memory location may be implemented by reading the shared memory location contents, encoding the received data element with the shared memory location contents to derive an encoded representation and writing the encoded representation to the shared memory location so as to overwrite the previous shared memory location contents. The method may further comprise receiving a request for a desired data element encoded into the shared memory location, decoding the shared memory location contents until the desired data element is recovered and communicating the requested data element.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method comprising displaying, on a computer display, a window having a user interface for an application. The window has a number of elements. The elements comprising at least one of text, a graphical icon, and input control. The window is configurable to receive user input for processing by the application. The method includes receiving, independent of the application, an input for graphic manipulation of the computer display of at least some of the number of elements in the window. The method includes updating, independent of the application, at least some of the number of elements, based on the graphic manipulation. The method also includes displaying, on the computer display, an updated window having the number of elements updated based on the graphic manipulation, wherein the updated window is configurable to receive user input for processing by the application.

Abstract: Task switching among windows on a graphical user interface. Responsive to user action (such as simultaneously pressing the ALT and TAB keys), a task selection window is displayed in which an iconic representation is provided for a plurality of windows, including at least one child window, and the iconic representations are arranged according to how recently the associated window had focus. Responsive to user action (such as pressing the TAB key while the ALT key remains depressed), a selection indicator moves through the selectable iconic representations in the order of the recency of the focus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device includes a converter, a haptic rocker button, a sensor, and a controller. In some embodiments, a method include receiving data in a mobile device, converting the data into Braille content, presenting the Braille content on a haptic rocker button, and controlling a horizontal movement of the Braille content on the haptic rocker button.

Abstract: A method, server system, and computer program storage product are disclosed. At least a first unique identifier from a first remote processing system is received. The first unique identifier is associated with a first remote software package that is on the first remote processing system. The first unique identifier and a second unique identifier are compared. The second unique identifier is associated with a second remote software package that is on a second remote processing system. The first unique identifier indicates that the first remote software package is one of a parent and a child copy of a software package executable. The second unique identifier indicates that the second remote software package is one of a parent and a child copy of the software package executable. An operation of at least one of the first remote software package and the second remote software package is authorized based upon the comparing.

Abstract: A method, gaming system, and computer program storage product are disclosed. At least one unique identifier is received from a remote processing system. The at least one remote unique identifier is associated with a remote software package that is on the remote processing system. The at least one remote unique identifier and a local unique identifier associated with a local software package on a local processing system are compared. The local software package corresponds to the remote software package. The at least one remote unique identifier indicates that the remote software package is one of a parent copy and a child copy of a software package executable. The local unique identifier indicates that the local software package is one of a parent copy and a child copy of the software package executable. An operation of the local software package is authorized based upon the comparing.

Abstract: A method to dynamically adjust priority may include providing a boost, by a processing device, to an element relative to at least one other element in response to a boost feature associated with the element being activated. Providing the boost to the element may include providing a predetermined longer duration of use of a shared use resource to the element relative to the at least one other element based on a boost setting associated with the element. The boost results in adjusting a priority of the element by allowing the element to complete a task in a shorter time period.