Abstract: An improved technique for managing multiple virtual machines includes a presentation layer that receives user input for multiple virtual machines and renders output from the virtual machines in a unified presentation, which can be displayed to a user. In certain examples, Red/Green security is implemented by designating one virtual machine as a Green virtual machine and another as a Red virtual machine. Although different virtual machines are used, the presentation layer unifies the user's interaction with the virtual machines and reduces the need for the user to keep track of different virtual machines or to switch manually between them.

Abstract: An improved technique for delegating computing actions among different machines includes a policy engine that receives inputs specifying computing actions to be performed and automatically selects a virtual machine to perform each action. Machine selection is based on a policy, which recognizes multiple categories of computing actions, classifies each input as belonging to one of the categories, and directs each computing action to a virtual machine designated for performing only that one category of computing actions.

Abstract: An improved PIN-based authentication technique for authenticating the user of a client machine to a server automatically generates a personal identification number (PIN) for the user based on user-specific authentication information, such as encrypted cookie information. The server provides user-specific authentication information to a client machine. When the user submits an authentication request, user-specific authentication information is collected and uploaded to the server. The user-specific authentication information is processed to form a PIN, and authentication of the user proceeds based on the PIN and any other authentication factors provided. Since the disclosed techniques compute PINs automatically based on information exchanged between a client machine and a server, the user is relieved of any burden associated with registering and remembering a PIN.

Abstract: Techniques to provide geo-targeted advertising are described. A technique may include displaying a map to an advertiser at a first zoom level. The advertiser may stay at the first zoom level or change to a second zoom level. The advertiser may also create a user-defined area of the map. The advertiser may select an advertising campaign, and the advertising system may associate the selected advertising campaign with the user-defined area and the selected zoom level. The advertising system may then provide the selected advertising campaign for display in a mapping application operating on a client device when the user-defined area and the selected zoom level are viewed in the mapping application. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A user is authenticated for a relying computing entity (e.g., an enterprise) through an authentication broker service, wherein a trust relationship exists between the relying computing entity and the authentication broker service. The authentication broker service has a trust relationship with the relying computing entity and the authentication service that issued the identity of the user. The relying computing entity asks the authentication broker service to authenticate the identity of the user. The authentication broker service captures the user's credential (or directs the authentication service to do so) and sends an authentication response (e.g., a token) to the relying computing entity in order to authenticate the identity of the user to the relying computing entity. The relying computing entity verifies the authentication response based on the trust relationship between the relying computing entity and the authentication broker service.