Abstract: Mechanisms for generating an answer to an input question are provided. The mechanisms receive an input question and route the input question to a plurality of Question and Answer (QA) system pipelines. The mechanisms receive results of processing the input question from each QA system pipeline in the plurality of QA system pipelines. The results comprise one or more candidate answers to the input question and associated confidence scores. The mechanisms adjust, for each QA system pipeline, the confidence scores of the one or more candidate answers associated with the QA system pipeline based on one or more weighting factors. In addition, the mechanisms generate the answer to the input question based on the adjusted confidence scores of the one or more candidate answers for each QA system pipeline.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for performing load balancing of question processing in a Question and Answer (QA) system, implemented by the data processing system, having a plurality of QA system pipelines. The mechanisms receive an input question for processing by the QA system and determine a predicted question difficulty of the input question. The mechanisms select a QA system pipeline from the plurality of QA system pipelines based on the predicted question difficulty and route the input question to the selected QA system pipeline for processing. In addition, the mechanisms process the input question with the selected QA system pipeline to generate an answer for the input question.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to deep tagging of media content and provide a method, system and computer program product for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings can be provided. The method can include monitoring a group chat of participants co-browsing media content, identifying a token in the group chat appearing a threshold number of times within a temporal window, and creating a deep tag in the media content in association with a portion of the media content played back concurrently with the temporal window.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for performing load balancing of question processing in a Question and Answer (QA) system, implemented by the data processing system, having a plurality of QA system pipelines. The mechanisms receive an input question for processing by the QA system and determine a predicted question difficulty of the input question. The mechanisms select a QA system pipeline from the plurality of QA system pipelines based on the predicted question difficulty and route the input question to the selected QA system pipeline for processing. In addition, the mechanisms process the input question with the selected QA system pipeline to generate an answer for the input question.

Abstract: Mechanisms for selecting a pipeline of a question and answer (QA) system to process an input question are provided. An input question is received and analyzed to identify at least one feature of the input question. Clustering of the input question, with one or more previously generated clusters of questions, is performed based on the at least one feature of the input question. Based on results of the clustering, a matching cluster, of the one or more previously generated clusters, is identified with which the input question is associated. A QA system pipeline associated with the matching cluster is identified and the input question is processed using the identified QA system pipeline to generate one or more candidate answers for the input question. Each cluster in the one or more previously generated clusters has an associated QA system pipeline.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to deep tagging of media content and provide a method, system and computer program product for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings can be provided. The method can include monitoring a group chat of participants co-browsing media content, identifying a token in the group chat appearing a threshold number of times within a temporal window, and creating a deep tag in the media content in association with a portion of the media content played back concurrently with the temporal window.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for performing an operation based on an identification of similar lines of questioning by input question sources. Question information identifying extracted features of an input question and a first source of the input question is obtained. A clustering operation is performed to cluster the input question with one or more other questions of a cluster based on a similarity of the extracted features of the input question to features of the one or more other questions. An operation is performed based on results of the clustering of the input question with the one or more other questions.

Abstract: Mechanisms for selecting questions for a cluster of questions to be used with a question and answer (QA) system are provided. An input question is received and analyzed to identify at least one feature of the input question. Clustering of the input question with one or more other questions in a cluster of questions based on the at least one feature of the input question is performed. Based on results of the clustering, a determination is made as to whether to include or reject the input question as part of the cluster of questions. In response to determining to include the input question as part of the cluster of questions, the cluster of questions is updated to include the input question. The updated cluster of questions is stored in a storage device associated with a data processing system.

Abstract: Mechanisms for generating an answer to an input question are provided. The mechanisms receive an input question and route the input question to a plurality of Question and Answer (QA) system pipelines. The mechanisms receive results of processing the input question from each QA system pipeline in the plurality of QA system pipelines. The results comprise one or more candidate answers to the input question and associated confidence scores. The mechanisms adjust, for each QA system pipeline, the confidence scores of the one or more candidate answers associated with the QA system pipeline based on one or more weighting factors. In addition, the mechanisms generate the answer to the input question based on the adjusted confidence scores of the one or more candidate answers for each QA system pipeline.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for performing load balancing of question processing in a Question and Answer (QA) system, implemented by the data processing system, having a plurality of QA system pipelines. The mechanisms receive an input question for processing by the QA system and determine a predicted question difficulty of the input question. The mechanisms select a QA system pipeline from the plurality of QA system pipelines based on the predicted question difficulty and route the input question to the selected QA system pipeline for processing. In addition, the mechanisms process the input question with the selected QA system pipeline to generate an answer for the input question.

Abstract: Mechanisms for selecting a pipeline of a question and answer (QA) system to process an input question are provided. An input question is received and analyzed to identify at least one feature of the input question. Clustering of the input question, with one or more previously generated clusters of questions, is performed based on the at least one feature of the input question. Based on results of the clustering, a matching cluster, of the one or more previously generated clusters, is identified with which the input question is associated. A QA system pipeline associated with the matching cluster is identified and the input question is processed using the identified QA system pipeline to generate one or more candidate answers for the input question. Each cluster in the one or more previously generated clusters has an associated QA system pipeline.

Abstract: Mechanisms for selecting questions for a cluster of questions to be used with a question and answer (QA) system are provided. An input question is received and analyzed to identify at least one feature of the input question. Clustering of the input question with one or more other questions in a cluster of questions based on the at least one feature of the input question is performed. Based on results of the clustering, a determination is made as to whether to include or reject the input question as part of the cluster of questions. In response to determining to include the input question as part of the cluster of questions, the cluster of questions is updated to include the input question. The updated cluster of questions is stored in a storage device associated with a data processing system.

Abstract: Related files are discovered, and the discovered information is provided for a user. Informative annotations and/or information that differentiates among the discovered files may also be provided. In one aspect, user-provided criteria are used to determine whether files are related. Examples include: same (or similar) file name; modified near in time to one another; use of similarity hashing; similar file size; and event(s) performed on the files.

Abstract: File-centric events are tracked and recorded in a system-wide event log. Preferably, the tracking is controlled by the operating system, and applies to all executing applications. Various types of information may be recorded for a particular event, and this information may vary depending on the application to which the event pertains and/or on the type of event. Event information for a particular file can be retrieved upon request, and may be displayed to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method that includes receiving a destination Internet address for a destination web page into a graphical web browser that is displaying a current web page having a current Internet address on a display. The method includes determining a relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The method also includes determining a spatially-oriented traversal animation based on the relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The method includes animating bringing the destination web page onto the display using the spatially-oriented traversal animation. The method also includes displaying the destination web page after the spatially-oriented traversal animation.

Abstract: Collaborative voting widgets (or controls) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that is adapted for collaborative effort between groups of individuals. The widgets have a modal selection state that changes the appearance and functionality of the widget depending on whether the widget is being presented to a particular user (e.g., a group leader) or a member of the group. The group provides user input to vote on a value of the widget. The particular user may subsequently override the voting result, reset the votes and optionally call for a re-vote, overriding the group consensus or breaking ties.

Abstract: A mechanism for modifying a chat distance associated with an environmental chat based on the avatar population density of an area of a virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. An initial environmental chat distance may be determined based on the avatar population density, i.e., the number of avatars, in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. The environmental chat distance may be modified in response to a change in the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. The environmental chat distance may be modified such that the environmental chat distance is inversely proportional to the detected number of avatars in the virtual universe area associated with the environmental chat.

Abstract: A mechanism for modifying a chat distance associated with an environmental chat based on a determined chat amount within a time window of a predetermined amount of time in an area of a virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. An initial environmental chat distance may be determined based on the determined chat amount within an initial time window in the virtual universe area associated with the environmental chat. The initial environmental chat distance may be modified in response to a change in the chat amount within a subsequent time window.

Abstract: A tagging engine can analyze deep tag data associated with a portion of media and process the tagging data into a deep tag cloud. Tag clouds can contain snapshot information about a particular media stream segment. Tag clouds for the entire duration or portions of the media stream can be aggregated. Aggregated tag clouds can be processed and compiled into a slideshow form. The tag clouds in the slideshow can be animated and presented to summarize media that includes the deep tags from which the tag clouds were derived.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to virtual world management and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for conversation detection in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for conversation management in a virtual world data processing system can include detecting a sequence of statements from at least two avatars in a virtual world, and locating the avatars in the virtual world, computing a temporal proximity of the statements. The statements can be grouped in the virtual world if the avatars are geographically proximate to one another in the virtual world and if the statements have occurred within a threshold temporal proximity of one another. Thereafter, the grouped statements can be persisted in the virtual world as a conversation.