Abstract: A system and method for the centralized management of distributed intermittently connected runtime platforms. The method may include creating an artifact store pre-loaded with a set of utilities, libraries, and artifacts necessary to perform initial infrastructure creation in a local environment, creating an instance infrastructure for a central management system, and creating two or more availability zones, wherein each availability zone includes a private subnet and a public subnet. The method may further include transferring state data necessary to perform infrastructure as code (IaC) automation from the local environment to the artifact store.

Abstract: A modular thermal barrier for a computer is described. A modular thermal barrier panel is comprised of a non-conductive, heat-resistant material. The panel has an opening formed within the panel that is to be disposed around the case of a computer unit and positioned between a first side of the computer unit having an air intake and a second side of the computer having a hot air exhaust. Modular thermal barriers panels for two or more adjacent computer units within a rack or shelving system may be adjoined or overlapped to form a thermal barrier that inhibits the flow of air and transfer of heat between the adjacent computer units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a social networking platform or users thereof to solicit candid content from users. One or more users are selected for receipt of a post request. The users may be selected for a given post request based upon rules-based criteria and algorithmic optimization. The request is sent at a specific time of day determined by the social networking platform and not by any user of the social networking platform. Request recipients may provide qualified content posts in response to receipt of a post request. Content posts may be qualified based upon systematically-imposed editorial constraints.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a social networking platform or users thereof to solicit candid content from users. One or more users are selected for receipt of a post request. The users may be selected for a given post request based upon rules-based criteria and algorithmic optimization. Request recipients may provide qualified content posts in response to receipt of a post request. Content posts may be qualified based upon systematically-imposed editorial constraints including a time period during which a qualified post may be made, or other restrictions on the post authoring process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a social networking platform or users thereof to solicit candid content from users. One or more users are selected for receipt of a post request. The users may be selected for a given post request based upon rules-based criteria and algorithmic optimization. Request recipients may provide qualified content posts in response to receipt of a post request. Content posts may be qualified based upon systematically-imposed editorial constraints including a time period during which a qualified post may be made, or other restrictions on the post authoring process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a social networking platform to solicit candid content from users. A social networking application may request that a post author submit a qualified post type that (a) can only be made after being requested by the social networking platform, at a time determined by the social networking platform; and (b) must contain a photo and/or video newly captured within a limited time period. The qualified post may be displayed to the poster's social networking connections in a manner that distinguishes qualified posts from unqualified posts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for posting content via a social networking application. A social networking application may display a third party initiated current status request notification to a content contributor user at a time not determined by the content contributor user, such as at a time determined by the social networking application or another user. The content contributor user can respond by submitting a third party initiated current status post, qualified based on at least the post having been created in response to the third party initiated current status request notification, and the post containing photo or video content recorded after the third party initiated current status request notification. The third party initiated current status post is then displayed to one or more other users in a manner that distinguished the third party initiated current status post from other content posts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a social networking platform to solicit candid content from users. A social networking application may request that a post author submit a qualified post type that (a) can only be made after being requested by the social networking platform, at a time determined by the social networking platform; and (b) must contain a photo and/or video newly captured within a limited time period. The qualified post may be displayed to the poster's social networking connections in a manner that distinguishes qualified posts from unqualified posts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for posting content via a network-connected communication system. A requestor may direct a content post request to a target poster. The target poster receives a notification of the content post request and is prompted to respond with a qualifying post. Constraints for a qualifying post may include, amongst other things, a predetermined time period during which the post must be submitted, preclusion of other system or application functions until submission of a qualifying post, inclusion of a photo captured by a camera integrated into the target poster's computing device, and capturing of such a photo at a geographic location proximate where the target poster received the notification. The qualifying post may be published back to the requestor and optionally other users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for posting content via a social networking application. A social networking application may display a third party initiated current status request notification to a content contributor user at a time not determined by the content contributor user, such as at a time determined by the social networking application or another user. The content contributor user can respond by submitting a third party initiated current status post, qualified based on at least the post having been created in response to the third party initiated current status request notification, and the post containing photo or video content recorded after the third party initiated current status request notification. The third party initiated current status post is then displayed to one or more other users in a manner that distinguished the third party initiated current status post from other content posts.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a semiconductor die; a photosensitive array of photodiodes and single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), the photodiodes comprising reverse biased diodes; and a front-end circuit coupled to the photosensitive array; and an output for outputting image data from the front-end circuit. The photosensitive array and the front-end circuit are provided in the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Systems and methods for posting content via a network-connected communication system. A requestor may direct a content post request to a target poster. The target poster receives a notification of the content post request and is prompted to respond with a qualifying post. Constraints for a qualifying post may include, amongst other things, a predetermined time period during which the post must be submitted, preclusion of other system or application functions until submission of a qualifying post, inclusion of a photo captured by a camera integrated into the target poster's computing device, and capturing of such a photo at a geographic location proximate where the target poster received the notification. The qualifying post may be published back to the requestor and optionally other users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for posting content via a network-connected communication system. A requestor may direct a content post request to a target poster. The target poster receives a notification of the content post request and is prompted to respond with a qualifying post. Constraints for a qualifying post may include, amongst other things, a predetermined time period during which the post must be submitted, preclusion of other system or application functions until submission of a qualifying post, inclusion of a photo captured by a camera integrated into the target poster's computing device, and capturing of such a photo at a geographic location proximate where the target poster received the notification. The qualifying post may be published back to the requestor and optionally other users.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying variable view content items on an online platform for disseminating user-contributed content items, i.e. in a social media environment. The variable view content items include an image and one or more obfuscations (such as graphic overlays) applied to the image by an originating user. The variable view content item may be published to one or more viewing users, such as via inclusion of the variable view content item within a social media feed. The viewing user may interact with the variable view content item to reveal the image without obfuscations.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more dialog network members to whom a notification of the question is provided. Authenticated responses by a member are published to the asker and other members. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous. If authorized, members of a dialog may add other individuals as members of the dialog, and imbue upon them special rights relative to the dialog.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.