Abstract: A system is described for compiling and comparing the prediction accuracy of analysts to improve user prediction performance. The system includes a processor having software programmed to compile prediction data of the analysts based upon an outcome of the analyst's selections. The processor is in communication with a database for data storage. An interface is configured to provide an interactive link between the user and the prediction data. The interface provides a display portal for viewing the prediction data. The processor automatically tracks and records the performance history of the analysts and ranks them according to performance history. The processor presents the ranks of the analysts to the user through the display portal to the user who is then able to purchase a prediction from any of the analysts for a future event by payment of a fee.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for managing hard-mounted network file systems (NFSs). First, a network file system (NFS) interface detects that a hard-mounted NFS is inaccessible. In response, the NFS interface obtains a list of virtual nodes (vNodes) associated with the hard-mounted NFS. If the NFS interface determines that each vNode in the list of vNodes is only associated with a read IN/OUT (I/O) operation, then the NFS interface automatically unmounts the hard-mounted NFS since doing so does not compromise the coherency of the hard-mounted NFS. Alternatively, if the NFS interface determines that at least one vNode in the list of vNodes is associated with data that is open for a write I/O operation, is mapped into a memory, or is associated with at least one dirty page, then the NFS interface does not unmount the hard-mounted NFS since doing so will compromise the coherency of the hard-mounted NFS.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for duplicating all or part of a file system while maintaining consistent copies of the file system. The file server maintains a set of snapshots, each indicating a set of storage blocks making up a consistent copy of the file system as it was at a known time. Each snapshot can be used for a purpose other than maintaining the coherency of the file system, such as duplicating or transferring a backup copy of the file system to a destination storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the snapshots can be manipulated to identify sets of storage blocks in the file system for incremental backup or copying, or to provide a file system backup that is both complete and relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for duplicating all or part of a file system while maintaining consistent copies of the file system. The file server maintains a set of snapshots, each indicating a set of storage blocks making up a consistent copy of the file system as it was at a known time. Each snapshot can be used for a purpose other than maintaining the coherency of the file system, such as duplicating or transferring a backup copy of the file system to a destination storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the snapshots can be manipulated to identify sets of storage blocks in the file system for incremental backup or copying, or to provide a file system backup that is both complete and relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for duplicating all or part of a file system while maintaining consistent copies of the file system. The file server maintains a set of snapshots, each indicating a set of storage blocks making up a consistent copy of the file system as it was at a known time. Each snapshot can be used for a purpose other than maintaining the coherency of the file system, such as duplicating or transferring a backup copy of the file system to a destination storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the snapshots can be manipulated to identify sets of storage blocks in the file system for incremental backup or copying, or to provide a file system backup that is both complete and relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for duplicating all or part of a file system while maintaining consistent copies of the file system. The file server maintains a set of snapshots, each indicating a set of storage blocks making up a consistent copy of the file system as it was at a known time. Each snapshot can be used for a purpose other than maintaining the coherency of the file system, such as duplicating or transferring a backup copy of the file system to a destination storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the snapshots can be manipulated to identify sets of storage blocks in the file system for incremental backup or copying, or to provide a file system backup that is both complete and relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: This is achieved in a computer system employing a multiple facility operating system architecture. The computer system includes a plurality of processor units for implementing a predetermined set of peer-level facilities wherein each peer-level facility includes a plurality of related functions and a communications bus for interconnecting the processor units. Each of the processor units includes a central processor and the stored program that, upon execution, provides for the implementation of a predetermined peer-level facility of the predetermined set of peer-level facilities, and for performing a multi-tasking interface function. The multi-tasking interface function is responsive to control messages for selecting for execution functions of the predetermined peer-level facility and that is responsive to the predetermined peer-level facility for providing control messages to request or to respond to the performance of functions of another peer-level facility of the computer system.

Abstract: This is achieved in a computer system employing a multiple facility operating system architecture. The computer system includes a plurality of processor units for implementing a predetermined set of peer-level facilities wherein each peer-level facility includes a plurality of related functions and a communications bus for interconnecting the processor units. Each of the processor units includes a central processor and the stored program that, upon execution, provides for the implementation of a predetermined peer-level facility of the predetermined set of peer-level facilities, and for performing a multi-tasking interface function. The multi-tasking interface function is responsive to control messages for selecting for execution functions of the predetermined peer-level facility and that is responsive to the predetermined peer-level facility for providing control messages to request or to respond to the performance of functions of another peer-level facility of the computer system.

Abstract: The edges of a semiconductor die are moved away from the lead frame leads attached to the die by using a pressure differential across the semiconductor die.

Abstract: The edges of a semiconductor die are moved away from the lead frame leads attached to the die by using a pressure differential across the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 may be H or COCH.sub.3 provided that when R.sup.1 is COCH.sub.3, R is COCH.sub.3 are described.