Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing an activity. Accordingly, an activity to be performed is determined, a stored hierarchy is examined indicating a first alternate component for performing the activity first and a second alternate component for performing the activity if the first alternate component fails. The first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity, and when a failure of the first alternate component to perform the activity is detected, the second alternate component is invoked to perform the activity. A revised hierarchy is stored indicating that the second alternate component is to be invoked to perform the activity before the first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing an activity. Accordingly, an activity to be performed is determined, a stored hierarchy is examined indicating a first alternate component for performing the activity first and a second alternate component for performing the activity if the first alternate component fails. The first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity, and when a failure of the first alternate component to perform the activity is detected, the second alternate component is invoked to perform the activity. A revised hierarchy is stored indicating that the second alternate component is to be invoked to perform the activity before the first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for distribution of processing of large amounts of data. According to one embodiment, a method of distributing processing of a dataset maintained by a mainframe from the mainframe to one or more of a plurality of servers can comprise initiating a job on the mainframe. The job can be associated with a process to be performed on the dataset. The dataset can be transferred from the mainframe to a repository separate from the mainframe and the plurality of servers based on the job. The dataset can be assigned to one or more servers of the plurality of servers. The method can further include processing the data set on the one or more servers and returning the processed dataset to the mainframe from the repository.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing an activity. Accordingly, an activity to be performed is determined, a stored hierarchy is examined indicating a first alternate component for performing the activity first and a second alternate component for performing the activity if the first alternate component fails. The first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity, and when a failure of the first alternate component to perform the activity is detected, the second alternate component is invoked to perform the activity. A revised hierarchy is stored indicating that the second alternate component is to be invoked to perform the activity before the first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for distribution of processing of large amounts of data. According to one embodiment, a method of distributing processing of a dataset maintained by a mainframe from the mainframe to one or more of a plurality of servers can comprise initiating a job on the mainframe. The job can be associated with a process to be performed on the dataset. The dataset can be transferred from the mainframe to a repository separate from the mainframe and the plurality of servers based on the job. The dataset can be assigned to one or more servers of the plurality of servers. The method can further include processing the data set on the one or more servers and returning the processed dataset to the mainframe from the repository.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transmitting video data from a first user device to a second user device. The video data are received as a sequence of frames from the first user device at a video-transmission system. A portion of a first frame in the sequence of frames is identified as having information redundant with a portion of a second frame in the sequence of frames. The redundant information is stripped from one of the first and second frames. The stripped frame is substituted into a modified sequence of frames, which is transmitted with the video-transmission system to the second user device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing bandwidth in transmitting multimedia over a network. An audio stream is created from transmission of audio information over the network at an audio rate. A video stream is created for transmission of video information over the network at a video rate. A data stream is created for transmission of data information over the network at a data rate. Each of the audio rate, the video rate, and the data rate is determined independently of others and they are collectively transmitted according to a priority hierarchy that gives precedence of the audio stream over the video stream and data stream, and gives precedence of the data stream over the video stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for video conferencing geographically disperse users. Each user operates a user computer. A network connection is established among the user computers. A respective connection speed with the network connection is determined independently for each user computer. A video signal is transmitted from one of the user computers over the network connection to others of the user computers at the independently determined connection speeds.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing an activity. Accordingly, an activity to be performed is determined, a stored hierarchy is examined indicating a first alternate component for performing the activity first and a second alternate component for performing the activity if the first alternate component fails. The first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity, and when a failure of the first alternate component to perform the activity is detected, the second alternate component is invoked to perform the activity. A revised hierarchy is stored indicating that the second alternate component is to be invoked to perform the activity before the first alternate component is invoked to perform the activity.

Abstract: A client management system receives from an operator, through a dedicated workspace, an operator request to retrieve, transmit, store, generate and/or process specified data. The client management system analyzes the operator request and generates a job profile specifying one or more activities to be performed in accordance with the operator request. A job profile may also include a job schedule specifying when the one or more activities are to be performed. The client management system identifies one or more components to perform each specified activity. The components may be pre-compiled software components, for example. Subsequently, the client management system causes each specified activity to be performed in accordance with the job profile. A request for a job may also be generated automatically, and the job may be generated and executed automatically, by one or more components within the client management system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing passwords. The passwords are maintained in a database stored on a storage device. An interface is provided to a user on a display device to access at least one of the passwords from the database. The interface is generated with a computational device in communication with the storage device and with the display device. Periodic collection through the computational unit of a representation of a display on the display device is prevented.