Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of computing machines includes accessing a catalogue memory structure storing a plurality of component signatures, discovering one or more of the software components being instantiated in a software image of each computing machine according to corresponding ones of the component signatures, detecting one or more connections each being established between at least two instantiated software components of different computing machines, receiving a restore command for restoring a target recovery point selected among a plurality of recovery points, and restoring the target recovery point in response to the restore command by restoring the snapshots associated with the target recovery point on corresponding computing machines.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of computing machines includes accessing a catalogue memory structure storing a plurality of component signatures, discovering one or more of the software components being instantiated in a software image of each computing machine according to corresponding ones of the component signatures, detecting one or more connections each being established between at least two instantiated software components of different computing machines, receiving a restore command for restoring a target recovery point selected among a plurality of recovery points, and restoring the target recovery point in response to the restore command by restoring the snapshots associated with the target recovery point on corresponding computing machines.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for collecting and returning luggage at public transportation systems. The method includes storing characteristic features and metadata corresponding to a luggage and its individual owner, and associating a color while collecting the luggage at a luggage submitting terminal. The luggage may be easily identified at a luggage providing terminal, using an identification tag attached to the luggage and the associated metadata (including the associated colour). Upon an end of journey, the individual may be allowed to pick the luggage upon providing a handshake signal. In case the handshake signal is not provided and the individual owner's metadata is not matched, security agencies may be alerted about picking of the luggage by another individual.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for collecting and returning luggage at public transportation systems. The method includes storing characteristic features and metadata corresponding to a luggage and its individual owner, and associating a color while collecting the luggage at a luggage submitting terminal. The luggage may be easily identified at a luggage providing terminal, using an identification tag attached to the luggage and the associated metadata (including the associated colour). Upon an end of journey, the individual may be allowed to pick the luggage upon providing a handshake signal. In case the handshake signal is not provided and the individual owner's metadata is not matched, security agencies may be alerted about picking of the luggage by another individual.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of computing machines includes accessing a catalogue memory structure storing a plurality of component signatures, discovering one or more of the software components being instantiated in a software image of each computing machine according to corresponding ones of the component signatures, detecting one or more connections each being established between at least two instantiated software components of different computing machines, receiving a restore command for restoring a target recovery point selected among a plurality of recovery points, and restoring the target recovery point in response to the restore command by restoring the snapshots associated with the target recovery point on corresponding computing machines.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of computing machines includes accessing a catalogue memory structure storing a plurality of component signatures, discovering one or more of the software components being instantiated in a software image of each computing machine according to corresponding ones of the component signatures, detecting one or more connections each being established between at least two instantiated software components of different computing machines, receiving a restore command for restoring a target recovery point selected among a plurality of recovery points, and restoring the target recovery point in response to the restore command by restoring the snapshots associated with the target recovery point on corresponding computing machines.

Abstract: A solution is proposed for managing each one of a plurality of computing machines. A corresponding method comprises taking one or more snapshots of the computing machine or part thereof, the snapshots being organized in a snapshot tree of nodes representing the snapshots according to a dependency thereof, expanding the snapshot tree of the computing machine according to each sub-tree of the snapshot tree of each other computing machine having the snapshot of a parent node of the sub-tree matching a graft node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, the sub-tree being appended to the graft node, selecting a snapshot of the other computing machines represented by a selected node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, and restoring the selected snapshot on the computing machine.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of computing machines includes accessing a catalogue memory structure storing a plurality of component signatures, discovering one or more of the software components being instantiated in a software image of each computing machine according to corresponding ones of the component signatures, detecting one or more connections each being established between at least two instantiated software components of different computing machines, receiving a restore command for restoring a target recovery point selected among a plurality of recovery points, and restoring the target recovery point in response to the restore command by restoring the snapshots associated with the target recovery point on corresponding computing machines.

Abstract: A method for managing computing machines.

Abstract: A method, an eBook, and an apparatus are provided. The method includes calculating, by a processor, a usage metric describing a timing at which an eBook has been displayed for viewing by a user. The method further includes selectively deteriorating, by the processor, a look of the eBook for a secondary market based on the usage metric of the eBook.

Abstract: A method, an eBook, and an apparatus. The method includes calculating, by a processor, a usage metric describing a timing at which an eBook has been displayed for viewing by a user. The method further includes selectively deteriorating, by the processor, a look of the eBook for a secondary market based on the usage metric of the eBook.

Abstract: A solution is proposed for managing each one of a plurality of computing machines. A corresponding method comprises taking one or more snapshots of the computing machine or part thereof, the snapshots being organized in a snapshot tree of nodes representing the snapshots according to a dependency thereof, expanding the snapshot tree of the computing machine according to each sub-tree of the snapshot tree of each other computing machine having the snapshot of a parent node of the sub-tree matching a graft node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, the sub-tree being appended to the graft node, selecting a snapshot of the other computing machines represented by a selected node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, and restoring the selected snapshot on the computing machine.

Abstract: A method, an eBook, and an apparatus are provided. The method includes calculating, by a processor, a usage metric describing a timing at which an eBook has been displayed for viewing by a user. The method further includes selectively deteriorating, by the processor, a look of the eBook for a secondary market based on the usage metric of the eBook.

Abstract: A solution is proposed for managing each one of a plurality of computing machines. A corresponding method comprises taking one or more snapshots of the computing machine or part thereof, the snapshots being organized in a snapshot tree of nodes representing the snapshots according to a dependency thereof, expanding the snapshot tree of the computing machine according to each sub-tree of the snapshot tree of each other computing machine having the snapshot of a parent node of the sub-tree matching a graft node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, the sub-tree being appended to the graft node, selecting a snapshot of the other computing machines represented by a selected node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, and restoring the selected snapshot on the computing machine.

Abstract: A method for managing computing machines.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for deploying, in a distributed virtual environment, a multi-component software product is disclosed. The method may include requesting and receiving product installation parameters, which may include virtual machine IDs corresponding to subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include copying software product installation files and parameters onto a first virtual machine, halting the first virtual machine, cloning the first virtual machine to a second virtual machine and setting virtual machine IDs on the virtual machines. The method may also include starting the virtual machines and identifying, based on virtual machine IDs, subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include deploying, based on subsets of the product installation parameters, the software product by installing first and second components of the software product on the first and second virtual machines, respectively.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for deploying, in a distributed virtual environment, a multi-component software product is disclosed. The method may include requesting and receiving product installation parameters, which may include virtual machine IDs corresponding to subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include copying software product installation files and parameters onto a first virtual machine, halting the first virtual machine, cloning the first virtual machine to a second virtual machine and setting virtual machine IDs on the virtual machines. The method may also include starting the virtual machines and identifying, based on virtual machine IDs, subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include deploying, based on subsets of the product installation parameters, the software product by installing first and second components of the software product on the first and second virtual machines, respectively.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for deploying, in a distributed virtual environment, a multi-component software product is disclosed. The method may include requesting and receiving product installation parameters, which may include virtual machine IDs corresponding to subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include copying software product installation files and parameters onto a first virtual machine, halting the first virtual machine, cloning the first virtual machine to a second virtual machine and setting virtual machine IDs on the virtual machines. The method may also include starting the virtual machines and identifying, based on virtual machine IDs, subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include deploying, based on subsets of the product installation parameters, the software product by installing first and second components of the software product on the first and second virtual machines, respectively.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for deploying, in a distributed virtual environment, a multi-component software product is disclosed. The method may include requesting and receiving product installation parameters, which may include virtual machine IDs corresponding to subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include copying software product installation files and parameters onto a first virtual machine, halting the first virtual machine, cloning the first virtual machine to a second virtual machine and setting virtual machine IDs on the virtual machines. The method may also include starting the virtual machines and identifying, based on virtual machine IDs, subsets of the product installation parameters. The method may also include deploying, based on subsets of the product installation parameters, the software product by installing first and second components of the software product on the first and second virtual machines, respectively.

Abstract: A method for keeping synchronized data collected by a first and at least one second software applications from respective information sources and stored in a respective first and second data repositories. The method comprises: a) receiving a request to refresh data stored in the first data repository; b) causing the at least one second software application to collect data from the respective information source; c) receiving the data collected by the first and the at least one second software applications from the respective information sources, and d) uploading the received data to the respective first and second repositories.