Abstract: In a personal Internet communication device, an optimized operating system image (NK.bin) is constructed from the operating system component files required to provide a minimum threshold of operating system functionality. By reducing the size of the operating system image, the time required to load the operating system is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of the present invention provides a verified computing environment for a personal Internet communicator. In various embodiments of the invention, the functionality of software files on a personal Internet communicator can be modified based on the Pay-State of the user. Upon a request to load a particular software package, the verification module uses a verification file list containing approved software packages and also uses the pay status of the user to determine which software packages can be executed. The personal Internet communicator is operable to provide limited functionality of certain software packages based on a first pay state and to offer no functionality based on a second pay state, such as the situation where a user has discontinued the use of internet service.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to prevent permanent storage of Internet-related files on the hard disk or other permanent storage of a user's personal computer. In an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the computer's volatile random access memory (RAM) is used to form a RAM disk. This RAM disk is then used to store all Internet-related files related to data exchange over the Internet. When the user's personal computer is turned off, the contents of the RAM disk are erased, thereby deleting all Internet-related files. In another embodiment of the present invention, the RAM disk is populated with a set of predetermined user-specific files immediately after the RAM disk is created. These user-specific files are used to provide a predetermined set of functionality for the user's use of the Internet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for managing, creating, modifying, and distributing media content. The system permits a user to customize and distribute the media content over a network from a first network device, such as a personal computer, to a second network device, such as a mobile phone. Prior to distributing the media content, the user can use the first network device to easily and automatically convert the media content from a first format to a second format that is recognizable and usable by the mobile device. Using the disclosed system, a user can easily and quickly access a media file and convert the entire file, or a portion thereof, to the second format.