Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an automated personalized concierge service platform (“Travelgems”) that is global and provides instant recommendations to travelers based on actual and trusted experiences by third parties. In embodiments of the invention, Travelgems is implemented as a web-based solution and involves identifying a destination selection by a client and generating and displaying a travel guide for the identified destination in response to client entries to a first questionnaire. In a subsequent stage, a request from a client is identified for the system to generate a gem pack for the destination selection. The system generates and displays the gem pack in response to client entries to a second questionnaire. In accordance with an embodiment, the gem pack is comprised of recommendations for each of multiple categories of places and activities.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a cumulative data histogram of lengths of idle times between foreground user service requests. The cumulative data histogram is updated with measured lengths of current idle times between successive user service requests. Background service request are scheduled following a user service request after a time delay that is controlled as a function of the cumulative data histogram and a calculated length of a busy time of the background service request.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a cumulative data histogram of lengths of idle times between foreground user service requests. The cumulative data histogram is updated with measured lengths of current idle times between successive user service requests. Background service request are scheduled following a user service request after a time delay that is controlled as a function of the cumulative data histogram and a calculated length of a busy time of the background service request.