Abstract: Parallel processing of data may include a set of map processes and a set of reduce processes. Each map process may include at least one map thread. Map threads may access distinct input data blocks assigned to the map process, and may apply an application specific map operation to the input data blocks to produce key-value pairs. Each map process may include a multiblock combiner configured to apply a combining operation to values associated with common keys in the key-value pairs to produce combined values, and to output intermediate data including pairs of keys and combined values. Each reduce process may be configured to access the intermediate data output by the multiblock combiners. For each key, an application specific reduce operation may be applied to the combined values associated with the key to produce output data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. An example method of displaying information on a display screen includes determining, using a virtual machine manager, supported dimensions for display of information on the display screen; generating, using the virtual machine manager, restricted dimensions that are less than the supported dimensions; providing the restricted dimensions to an operating system of a virtual machine supported by the virtual machine manager, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion; and using the virtual machine manager to display first information in the first screen portion, the virtual machine manager enforcing the presence of the first screen portion on the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. An example method includes determining, in a pre-boot environment, supported dimensions for display of information on the display screen; generating, in the pre-boot environment, restricted dimensions that are less than the supported dimensions; providing the restricted dimensions to an operating system of a virtual machine supported by a virtual machine manager, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion; displaying first information in the first screen portion and displaying second information in the second screen portion; and preventing, via the virtual machine manager, elimination of the first screen portion from the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. An example method includes determining, in a pre-boot environment, supported dimensions for display of information on the display screen; generating, in the pre-boot environment, restricted dimensions that are less than the supported dimensions; providing the restricted dimensions to an operating system of a virtual machine supported by a virtual machine manager, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion; displaying first information in the first screen portion and displaying second information in the second screen portion; and preventing, via the virtual machine manager, elimination of the first screen portion from the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. One example method includes determining supported dimensions for display of information on a display screen, restricting the supported dimensions, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion, and displaying content of a first type on a first side of the boundary and displaying a content of a second type on a second side of the boundary. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving dynamic content over a communications network prior to booting an operating system is presented. The content may include a screen image for display on a console. The time period for displaying the content may be controlled by another computer coupled to the communications network. The content may be an advertisement that is displayed on a computer system in an Internet café for a controllable period of time prior to booting an operating system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. One example method includes determining supported dimensions for display of information on a display screen, restricting the supported dimensions, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion, and displaying content of a first type on a first side of the boundary and displaying a content of a second type on a second side of the boundary. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving dynamic content over a communications network prior to booting an operating system is presented. The content may include a screen image for display on a console. The time period for displaying the content may be controlled by another computer coupled to the communications network. The content may be an advertisement that is displayed on a computer system in an Internet cafe for a controllable period of time prior to booting an operating system.