Abstract: Contextual data, which may describe user activity, preferences and/or a device status, is aggregated from a number of devices and/or resources. Program information is aggregated from several resources including an on-demand resource and other resources, such as a broadcast resource. Configurations disclosed herein utilize the contextual data to select content items to be added to a cross-platform programming playlist, which is configured to invoke viewing sessions from on-demand resources as well as other devices, such as a digital video recorder (DVR). Configurations disclosed herein also utilize the contextual data to determine if the selected content items are to be recorded by a device or accessed from an on-demand resource. In some configurations, recorded content items are deleted from storage depending on the availability of alternate resources sharing the recorded content items and/or other contextual information.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing contextually aware management of resources. Recorded content items are deleted from or added to a storage device depending on the availability of alternate resources sharing the content items and/or other contextual information. For example, if a storage device of a DVR has reached a threshold with respect to a storage capacity and/or other conditions develop, configurations disclosed herein analyze the content items stored in the DVR to determine if the content items are provided by an on-demand resource. If one or more stored content items are available on at least one on-demand resource, the system may delete the one or more content items from the DVR and generate a link to access the one or more content items from the on-demand resource. The link and a description of the one or more content items may then be added to the cross-platform programming playlist.

Abstract: An achievement system tracks users' offline activities and awards achievements to users for participation in particular offline activities. The achievements that are awarded for particular activities and/or to particular users may be sponsored by merchants, who may compensate an achievement system provider for the opportunity to sponsor the achievements. To award users achievements, the users' offline activities are tracked. When a user participates in an offline activity for which achievements are available, the user is awarded an achievement. The achievement may be stored in an achievement profile for the user. In some embodiments, achievements earned by users may be converted into other benefits and alternative awards.

Abstract: A gaming environment is provided by an MVP gaming system provider in which “most valuable player” (MVP) gamers may compete. MVP gamers may be identified using achievements, gamer scores, game play during sanctioned gaming events, or other indicia of game skills. The MVP gamers may be sponsored by advertisers, and the MVP gamers' avatars may be branded based on sponsorship during gaming events. The sponsorships may be brokered by the MVP gaming system provider. Some gaming events may be sanctioned gaming events that are coordinated by the MVP gaming system provider and “televised” to allow viewers to watch the gaming events. Tutorials from MVP gamers may also be provided to gamers for viewing to assist in their game play. Further, gamers may be able to rent the avatars of MVP gamers for use during their game play.

Abstract: An achievement system tracks users' offline activities and awards achievements to users for participation in particular offline activities. The achievements that are awarded for particular activities and/or to particular users may be sponsored by merchants, who may compensate an achievement system provider for the opportunity to sponsor the achievements. To award users achievements, the users' offline activities are tracked. When a user participates in an offline activity for which achievements are available, the user is awarded an achievement. The achievement may be stored in an achievement profile for the user. In some embodiments, achievements earned by users may be converted into other benefits and alternative awards.

Abstract: A mechanism that supports navigation in a manner that state information for certain web pages will be preserved through the completion of a task. While at that original return web page, the host computing system receives a request to perform a task in which the browser is to navigate to other web pages as part of completing the task. As the host computing system navigates the browser to each of these web pages, the host computing system stores the application state for each of the subsequent task-oriented web pages, along with a copy of the application state of the return web page. Once the task is complete, the host computing system uses the copy of the application state, rather than the original of the application state, to return the browser to the return web page.

Abstract: A providing computer system may receive a request, via a stateless protocol, to access a resource. An access control application may refer to administrative rules to set validation information associated with the request. Validation information may be in the form of electronic text that is stored in a location such as a cookie or state-table. Validation information may indicate the state of a session associated with a resource, such as whether a session is in a logged-in or logged-out state. When a request is received, validation information and authentication information may be utilized together to determine if access to a resource should be granted. When access to a resource is granted or denied, validation information may be updated to indicate that the state of the session has changed.

Abstract: Various techniques are described for managing license rights for a variety of digital content. One technique involves initiating a request for a specific content package. The content package includes a unique content package identifier that can be linked with a license offer that also has a unique identifier. A determination is made as to whether the specific content package is available locally, and if not, the specific content package is downloaded. A use license can be obtained for digital content contained within the specific content package. One or more use-license parameters can be determined based on the use license obtained for the digital content. Finally, use of the digital content is enabled in accord with the license parameters that were thus determined.

Abstract: A mechanism that supports navigation in a manner that state information for certain web pages will be preserved through the completion of a task. While at that original return web page, the host computing system receives a request to perform a task in which the browser is to navigate to other web pages as part of completing the task. As the host computing system navigates the browser to each of these web pages, the host computing system stores the application state for each of the subsequent task-oriented web pages, along with a copy of the application state of the return web page. Once the task is complete, the host computing system uses the copy of the application state, rather than the original of the application state, to return the browser to the return web page.

Abstract: A managing computer system increases the level of automation when scheduling and managing meetings. A meeting scheduler determines that a meeting is to be scheduled and accesses information relevant to the availability of potential meeting attendants. Relevant information may include time availability of attendants and locations, priority levels associated with attendants, and whether or not specific attendants are required. Based on the relevant information, the meeting scheduler automatically determines at least one potential meeting that satisfies predetermined criteria. If the circumstances surrounding a currently-scheduled meeting change, information relevant to the currently-scheduled meeting is identified. Identified information may include changes in the status of meeting attendants, meeting locations, and documents associated with a meeting. The identified information may be automatically accessed and made available to at least one meeting attendant.

Abstract: A providing computer system may receive a request, via a stateless protocol, to access a resource. An access control application may refer to administrative rules to set validation information associated with the request. Validation information may be in the form of electronic text that is stored in a location such as a cookie or state-table. Validation information may indicate the state of a session associated with a resource, such as whether a session is in a logged-in or logged-out state. When a request is received, validation information and authentication information may be utilized together to determine if access to a resource should be granted. When access to a resource is granted or denied, validation information may be updated to indicate that the state of the session has changed.