Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating performance of tasks by users in a computer game environment. In some situations, the techniques include automated operations of a system that receives multiple tasks from a task fulfillment system, provides the multiple tasks to multiple users as part of playing an electronic game, receives results of performance of the tasks by the users as part of the game playing, sends the task performance results to the task fulfillment system, receives and retains monetary compensation for the performance of the tasks, and provides non-monetary virtual rewards to the multiple users for the performance of the provided multiple tasks. The non-monetary virtual rewards may be rewards that are part of the electronic game and are usable by the multiple users as part of the playing of the electronic game.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes accessing user selection data that includes selections associated with computing system resources, determining two or more machine image layers from available machine image layers to instantiate on a particular computing system resource, and determining that a particular machine image layer is not cached locally on one or more memory devices of the particular computing system resource. The method includes, in response to determining that the particular machine image layer is not cached locally on one or more memory devices, accessing a stored copy of the particular machine image layer residing in memory external to the particular computing system resource and caching the stored copy of the particular machine image layer on the one or more memory devices of the particular computing system resource. The method further includes instantiating the particular machine image layer on the particular computing system resource.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating execution of software programs in a configurable manner, including to configure bootstrapping operations that are performed at startup of the software programs. At least some of the software programs may be software images that each include, for example, a defined file system, an operating system, and one or more application programs. In addition, configuration of the software programs' startup may include using distinct bootstrap packages that each include their own distinct file system, such that loading of a bootstrap package within a software image includes adding the included file system of the bootstrap package to a new location within the defined file system of the software image (e.g., by mounting the included file system of the bootstrap package within the defined file system of the software image, and optionally removing the included file system of the bootstrap package after bootstrapping operations are completed).

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes accessing user selection data that includes selections associated with computing system resources, determining two or more machine image layers from available machine image layers to instantiate on a particular computing system resource, and determining that a particular machine image layer is not cached locally on one or more memory devices of the particular computing system resource. The method includes, in response to determining that the particular machine image layer is not cached locally on one or more memory devices, accessing a stored copy of the particular machine image layer residing in memory external to the particular computing system resource and caching the stored copy of the particular machine image layer on the one or more memory devices of the particular computing system resource. The method further includes instantiating the particular machine image layer on the particular computing system resource.

Abstract: A resource optimization manager monitors resource metrics of a set of virtual machine instance types and determines a set of applications associated with the virtual machine instance types and associates the resource metrics to the set of applications. Thereafter, the resource optimization manager can generate clusters of applications that share one or more similar attributes and store resource optimizations for the clustered applications. The resource optimization manager can obtain a designation of a target application run on a virtual machine instance or otherwise obtain a definition of an application. The resource optimization manager can then associate the target application with one or more of the clustered applications based on a comparison of similarities between the clustered applications and the target applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing imaging of computing devices are provided. A device image manager enables selection of one or more device images on the basis of various computing device criteria. The device image manager may obtain hardware qualification information associated with one or more device images, and obtain device configuration information associated with a computing device. The device image manager may select a set of appropriate device images for the computing device based on the hardware qualification information, device configuration information, or various device image selection criteria.

Abstract: Systems and method for the management of resource dependent workflows are provided. One or more resource control devices monitor usage of a computing resource by server computing devices. Each resource control device may direct a server computing device to proceed with a workflow or to pause processing a workflow. A resource control device may further direct a server computing device to take resource conserving actions. When a computing resource is determined to be available, a resource control device may direct a paused server computing device to resume a workflow.

Abstract: Systems and method for the management of resource dependent workflows are provided. One or more resource control devices monitor usage of a computing resource by server computing devices. Each resource control device may direct a server computing device to proceed with a workflow or to pause processing a workflow. A resource control device may further direct a server computing device to take resource conserving actions. When a computing resource is determined to be available, a resource control device may direct a paused server computing device to resume a workflow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing imaging of computing devices are provided. A device image manager enables selection of one or more device images on the basis of various computing device criteria. The device image manager may obtain hardware qualification information associated with one or more device images, and obtain device configuration information associated with a computing device. The device image manager may select a set of appropriate device images for the computing device based on the hardware qualification information, device configuration information, or various device image selection criteria.

Abstract: Systems and method for the management of resource dependent workflows are provided. One or more resource control devices monitor usage of a computing resource by server computing devices. Each resource control device may direct a server computing device to proceed with a workflow or to pause processing a workflow. A resource control device may further direct a server computing device to take resource conserving actions. When a computing resource is determined to be available, a resource control device may direct a paused server computing device to resume a workflow.

Abstract: Target host computing devices are provisioned with a machine image that corresponds to an operating environment, software applications, and associated configurations. The machine image is organized in a manner that allows static portions of the machine image to be maintained in a designated static partition. The machine image is also organized in a manner that allows dynamic portions of the machine image to be maintained in a designed dynamic partition. A host management component identifies updates to the static portion of the machine image and transmits the update information to the host computing devices. In turn, the host computing devices maintain the update in the allocated secondary partitions. Thereafter, the host computing devices causes a switch from a designated primary static partition to the secondary static partition, such as via a kernel switch.

Abstract: A resource optimization manager monitors resource metrics of a set of virtual machine instance types and determines a set of applications associated with the virtual machine instance types and associates the resource metrics to the set of applications. Thereafter, the resource optimization manager can generate clusters of applications that share one or more similar attributes and store resource optimizations for the clustered applications. The resource optimization manager can obtain a designation of a target application run on a virtual machine instance or otherwise obtain a definition of an application. The resource optimization manager can then associate the target application with one or more of the clustered applications based on a comparison of similarities between the clustered applications and the target applications.