Abstract: A cloud computing environment with the ability to deploy a web application that has been developed using one of a plurality of application frameworks and is configured to execute within one of a plurality of runtime environments can be delivered as a self-contained virtual machine disk image configured to launch in a virtualization environment. Upon request (or alternatively, in a pre-processing phase), a cloud computing platform provider can compose a virtual machine disk image comprising the cloud computing environment. The virtual machine disk image may be attached to any virtual machine, whether running on a personal computing device such as a laptop or in an infrastructure-as-a-service service provider to provide a cloud computing environment that is automatically configured to receive and deploy a web application.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment provides the ability to deploy a web application that has been developed using one of a plurality of application frameworks and is configured to execute within one of a plurality of runtime environments. The cloud computing environment receives the web application in a package compatible with the runtime environment and dynamically binds available services by appropriately inserting service provisioning data (e.g., service network address, login credentials, etc.) into the package. The cloud computing environment then packages an instance of the runtime environment, a start script and the package into a web application deployment package, which is then transmitted to an application (e.g., container virtual machine, etc.).

Abstract: A policy engine is situated within the communications path of a cloud computing environment and a user of the cloud computing environment to comply with an organization's policies for deploying web applications in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine intercepts communications packets to the cloud computing environment from a user, such as a web application developer, for example, in preparation for deploying a web application in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine identifies commands corresponding to the communications packets and directs the communications packets to appropriate rules engines corresponding to such commands in order to execute rules to comply with an organization's policies. Upon completion of execution of the rules, the communications packets are forwarded to the cloud computing environment if they comply with the policies.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment provides the ability to deploy a web application that has been developed using one of a plurality of application frameworks and is configured to execute within one of a plurality of runtime environments. The cloud computing environment receives the web application in a package compatible with the runtime environment (e.g., a WAR file to be launched in an application server, for example) and dynamically binds available services by appropriately inserting service provisioning data (e.g., service network address, login credentials, etc.) into the package. The cloud computing environment then packages an instance of the runtime environment, a start script and the package into a web application deployment package, which is then transmitted to an application (e.g., container virtual machine, etc.).

Abstract: A policy engine is situated between the communications path of a cloud computing environment and a user of the cloud computing environment to comply with an organization's policies for deploying web applications in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine intercepts communications packets to the cloud computing environment from a user, such as a web application developer, for example, in preparation for deploying a web application in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine identifies commands corresponding to the communications packets and directs the communications packets to appropriate rules engines corresponding to such commands in order to execute rules to comply with an organization's policies. Upon completion of execution of the rules, the communications packets are forwarded to the cloud computing environment if they comply with the policies.

Abstract: A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. In one implementation, the search results may be automatically generated by the system based on user input to a content creation application.

Abstract: A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. In one implementation, the search results may be automatically generated by the system based on user input to a content creation application.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment with the ability to deploy a web application that has been developed using one of a plurality of application frameworks and is configured to execute within one of a plurality of runtime environments can be delivered as a self-contained virtual machine disk image configured to launch in a virtualization environment. Upon request (or alternatively, in a pre-processing phase), a cloud computing platform provider can compose a virtual machine disk image comprising the cloud computing environment. The virtual machine disk image may be attached to any virtual machine, whether running on a personal computing device such as a laptop or in an infrastructure-as-a-service service provider to provide a cloud computing environment that is automatically configured to receive and deploy a web application.

Abstract: A policy engine is situated between the communications path of a cloud computing environment and a user of the cloud computing environment to comply with an organization's policies for deploying web applications in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine intercepts communications packets to the cloud computing environment from a user, such as a web application developer, for example, in preparation for deploying a web application in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine identifies commands corresponding to the communications packets and directs the communications packets to appropriate rules engines corresponding to such commands in order to execute rules to comply with an organization's policies. Upon completion of execution of the rules, the communications packets are forwarded to the cloud computing environment if they comply with the policies.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment provides the ability to deploy a web application that has been developed using one of a plurality of application frameworks and is configured to execute within one of a plurality of runtime environments. The cloud computing environment receives the web application in a package compatible with the runtime environment (e.g., a WAR file to be launched in an application server, for example) and dynamically binds available services by appropriately inserting service provisioning data (e.g., service network address, login credentials, etc.) into the package. The cloud computing environment then packages an instance of the runtime environment, a start script and the package into a web application deployment package, which is then transmitted to an application (e.g., container virtual machine, etc.).

Abstract: A cloud computing environment provides the ability to deploy a web application that has been developed using one of a plurality of application frameworks and is configured to execute within one of a plurality of runtime environments. The cloud computing environment receives the web application in a package compatible with the runtime environment (e.g., a WAR file to be launched in an application server, for example) and dynamically binds available services by appropriately inserting service provisioning data (e.g., service network address, login credentials, etc.) into the package. The cloud computing environment then packages an instance of the runtime environment, a start script and the package into a web application deployment package, which is then transmitted to an application (e.g., container virtual machine, etc.).

Abstract: A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. Search queries entered by the user or search results received from search components may be automatically refined by the system.

Abstract: A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. Search queries entered by the user or search results received from search components may be automatically refined by the system.

Abstract: A method and system for managing and deploying applications across a computer network by assigning and publishing applications to user and computer policy recipients. Assigned applications are automatically applied via a script to the policy recipients, thereby ensuring that the recipient has an administrator-specified workstation configuration. Assigned applications are advertised so as to appear available to the user, by adding an application shortcut to the start menu, and by populating the machine registry with appropriate application information. Other applications may be published to users, whereby those applications are optionally available for use by users. Published application information is maintained in a centralized store of information on the network. Assigned and published applications may be installed on demand, such as when the application is activated.

Abstract: User distributed advertisements (UDA ads) facilitates insertion of manually selected ads into a document that is to be distributed (e.g., transmitted, published, and/or posted) such that the document is to be made available to other users. For example, manually selected ads can be inserted into an email to be sent to another user, a blog to be posted for viewing by other users, a message to be sent to another user, a message board entry to be posted for viewing by other users, a document published and made available to other users, etc. Hence, UDA ads provide a scaleable advertising platform that achieves at least some of the benefits of manual targeting. Charges might be assessed to the advertiser, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Rewards might be provided to the user that inserts and/or distributes the UDA ad, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Performance metrics of UDA ads might be determined and used for various purposes, such as later ad serving arbitrations.

Abstract: Authorizing a requesting entity to have a service perform a particular action in a manner that is at least partially independent of the underlying target data structure. An authorization station maintains a number of role templates that each define basic access permissions with respect to a number of command methods. The authorization station also maintains a number of role definitions that each define access permissions for specific requesting entities by using one or more of the role templates. When the authorization station receives a request from the requesting entity, the authorization station then identifies the appropriate role definition. Using this role definition, the authorization station determines access permissions for the requesting entity with respect to the requested action.

Abstract: User distributed advertisements (UDA ads) facilitates insertion of manually selected ads into a document that is to be distributed (e.g., transmitted, published, and/or posted) such that the document is to be made available to other users. For example, manually selected ads can be inserted into an email to be sent to another user, a blog to be posted for viewing by other users, a message to be sent to another user, a message board entry to be posted for viewing by other users, a document published and made available to other users, etc. Hence, UDA ads provide a scaleable advertising platform that achieves at least some of the benefits of manual targeting. Charges might be assessed to the advertiser, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Rewards might be provided to the user that inserts and/or distributes the UDA ad, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Performance metrics of UDA ads might be determined and used for various purposes, such as later ad serving arbitrations.

Abstract: A server federation cooperatively interacts to fulfill service requests by communicating using data structures that follow a schema in which the meaning of the communicated data is implied by the schema. Thus, in addition to the data being communicated, the meaning of the data is also communication allowing for intelligent decisions and inferences to be made based on the meaning of the data. Cooperative interaction is facilitated over a wide variety of networks by messaging through a common API that supports multiple transport mechanisms. Also, mid-session transfer between client devices is facilitated by schema and the transport-independent messaging structure. The user interfaces of the client devices will appear consistent even if the client devices have different user interface capabilities.

Abstract: User distributed advertisements (UDA ads) facilitates insertion of manually selected ads into a document that is to be distributed (e.g., transmitted, published, and/or posted) such that the document is to be made available to other users. For example, manually selected ads can be inserted into an email to be sent to another user, a blog to be posted for viewing by other users, a message to be sent to another user, a message board entry to be posted for viewing by other users, a document published and made available to other users, etc. Hence, UDA ads provide a scaleable advertising platform that achieves at least some of the benefits of manual targeting. Charges might be assessed to the advertiser, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Rewards might be provided to the user that inserts and/or distributes the UDA ad, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Performance metrics of UDA ads might be determined and used for various purposes, such as later ad serving arbitrations.

Abstract: A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. Search queries entered by the user or search results received from search components may be automatically refined by the system.