Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for managing the lifecycle of user data. A user data lifecycle management system can collect user data from multiple sources including the user, the organization implementing the lifecycle management system, and third parties. The user data is used to create a user profile with a global user identifier. The user profile is scored based on the attributes within the user profile. The user data lifecycle management system can route the user profile to a destination source based on the score of the user profile. The destination source can be a tool of the organization for interacting with the user. The destination sources can also provide feedback to that is incorporated to the user profile and can assist the user data lifecycle management system in managing the user profile and aid in decision making.

Abstract: In a decoupled messaging system, a producer device sends produced messages to a message fabric. The message fabric either stores the received message in designated queues, from which consumer devices may retrieve the messages, or broadcasts the messages to consumer devices that subscribe to topics assigned to the messages. A message consumption orchestrator service gathers capabilities information for the message producer, the message fabric, and the message consumer, and configures resources allocated for the message consumer to more fully optimize message throughput. Further, the message consumption orchestrator identifies patterns in changes of the rate of produced messages, i.e., through analysis of historical data and/or received information. The message consumption orchestrator configures resources for the message consumer to account for predicted need based on the identified patterns.

Abstract: An improved system and method for updating software is described. The system, upon detecting one or more changes within the set of eligibility attribute values associated with the one or more particular components of previously-provided software, selects a replacement component. The component is selected based on one or more changed eligibility attribute values within the set of eligibility attribute values, and the metadata of the user device. Using the replacement component, the replacement software is constructed and sent to the user device.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for controlling a process on a computing node. In one implementation, a determination is made as to whether the participation status of a computing node has changed. The participation status may, for example, be active, in which case the computing node is participating in the processing of requests from a request handler, or it may be passive, in which case the computing node is not participating in the processing of requests from the request handler. In response to a determination that the participation status of the computing node has changed from a current status to a new status, one or more processes on the computing node may be caused to begin or halt processing, in accordance with the new status. For example, if the current status is passive and the new status is active, a process on the computing node may be caused to begin processing.

Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying unhealthy nodes in a multi-node system. One or more parameters of each node is monitored, then compared with the values for the same parameter running on other nodes in the multi-node system. Based on the comparison, a determination is made whether a node is healthy. If the multi-node system comprises one or more nodes with differing capabilities, an adjustment is performed to account for the differing capabilities of each respective node. Further provided are methods of taking remedial action upon a determination that a node is unhealthy. A tuner is used to modify values of health parameters until the node is performing similarly to its peers.

Abstract: A method for selecting a tag for a content item includes obtaining a first content item; obtaining data associated with a first user; based on the data associated with the first user, selecting a first tag for the first content item; and generating a second content item comprising (a) at least a portion of the first content item and (b) the first tag.

Abstract: In a decoupled messaging system, a producer device sends produced messages to a message fabric. The message fabric either stores the received message in designated queues, from which consumer devices may retrieve the messages, or broadcasts the messages to consumer devices that subscribe to topics assigned to the messages. A message consumption orchestrator service gathers capabilities information for the message producer, the message fabric, and the message consumer, and configures resources allocated for the message consumer to more fully optimize message throughput. Further, the message consumption orchestrator identifies patterns in changes of the rate of produced messages, i.e., through analysis of historical data and/or received information. The message consumption orchestrator configures resources for the message consumer to account for predicted need based on the identified patterns.

Abstract: An improved system and method for updating software is described. The system, upon detecting one or more changes within the set of eligibility attribute values associated with the one or more particular components of previously-provided software, selects a replacement component. The component is selected based on one or more changed eligibility attribute values within the set of eligibility attribute values, and the metadata of the user device. Using the replacement component, the replacement software is constructed and sent to the user device.

Abstract: In a decoupled messaging system, a producer device sends produced messages to a message fabric. The message fabric either stores the received message in designated queues, from which consumer devices may retrieve the messages, or broadcasts the messages to consumer devices that subscribe to topics assigned to the messages. A message consumption orchestrator service gathers capabilities information for the message producer, the message fabric, and the message consumer, and configures resources allocated for the message consumer to more fully optimize message throughput. Further, the message consumption orchestrator identifies patterns in changes of the rate of produced messages, i.e., through analysis of historical data and/or received information. The message consumption orchestrator configures resources for the message consumer to account for predicted need based on the identified patterns.

Abstract: An automated resource resolver system receives a client request for a learning resource. The system selects a format for a target resource, to be delivered to the client device, based on user information and context information for the client device. Thus, the selected format will be accessible by the client device, utilizing the capabilities of the device, and will be the best-fit format for the user. After the system selects the format, the system determines whether the target resource stored at a resource repository is in the selected format. If not, then the system selects an instance of the target resource, not in the selected format, to convert to the selected format. The system converts the selected resource instance to produce an instance of the target resource that is in the selected format. The system makes the target learning resource, in the selected format, available to the client device.

Abstract: An improved system and method for updating software is described. The system, upon detecting one or more changes within the set of eligibility attribute values associated with the one or more particular components of previously-provided software, selects a replacement component. The component is selected based on one or more changed eligibility attribute values within the set of eligibility attribute values, and the metadata of the user device. Using the replacement component, the replacement software is constructed and sent to the user device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying unhealthy nodes in a multi-node system. One or more parameters of each node is monitored, then compared with the values for the same parameter running on other nodes in the multi-node system. Based on the comparison, a determination is made whether a node is healthy. If the multi-node system comprises one or more nodes with differing capabilities, an adjustment is performed to account for the differing capabilities of each respective node. Further provided are methods of taking remedial action upon a determination that a node is unhealthy. A tuner is used to modify values of health parameters until the node is performing similarly to its peers.

Abstract: A method of operating an online teaching system provides an activity tool that enables participation in an activity related to a learning object. The method provides a note tool for taking notes. The method determines that notes taken by users using the note tool were taken in conjunction with the users participating in an activity using the activity tool. Metadata is generated for notes based on any of: semantic analysis of content of each note, content of the learning object, performance information that indicates how the user that created the note performed on tasks, performance information that indicates how users that read the note performed on tasks, or professional performance information of the user that created the note. The method stores data that associates the notes with the metadata generated for each note. The method performs further action on notes based on the metadata generated for each note.

Abstract: Resources available to a service node in a system are dynamically modified. The modification is based on current performance levels of other service nodes, application level transactions, resource utilization patterns, and/or in response to detecting a pre-failure conditions.

Abstract: A method for selecting a tag for a content item includes obtaining a first content item; obtaining data associated with a first user; based on the data associated with the first user, selecting a first tag for the first content item; and generating a second content item comprising (a) at least a portion of the first content item and (b) the first tag.

Abstract: An improved system and method for updating software is described. The system, upon detecting one or more changes within the set of eligibility attribute values associated with the one or more particular components of previously-provided software, selects a replacement component. The component is selected based on one or more changed eligibility attribute values within the set of eligibility attribute values, and the metadata of the user device. Using the replacement component, the replacement software is constructed and sent to the user device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing events in a first application on a first device and replaying the events in a second application on a second device is provided. In an embodiment, a capture unit records all actions that occur within a first application on a first device and save them as event records. The capture unit sends the event records to an application sync service which labels the events as a session and performs analytics on the records within. After receiving a request to resume the application on a second device, the application sync service sends the event records to a playback unit executing on the second device. First playback unit then executes the events in an application on the second device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for a syllabus authoring and publishing system that allows educators to create and customize syllabi using data integration to optimize for various criteria. A syllabus begins with one or more course objectives, wherein one or more data services are consulted for optimal selection of course activities to satisfy the course objectives. After the appropriate course activities are selected and customized, the syllabus may be saved as one of several syllabus versions and a particular version may be published downstream for further customization by other users. The syllabus is a dynamic document with rich metadata and may directly link to and launch interactive learning objects. The metadata may also specify user role based and workflow context based permissions for viewing, editing, and interacting with the syllabus. All changes and interactions with the syllabus may be tracked in the metadata for analytics and other uses.

Abstract: Techniques for providing customized learning material for a particular course so that each student can learn efficiently and effectively based on their own skills and depth of knowledge in the particular subject. The system allows customization of a path through the course material by setting waypoints. Each waypoint corresponds to a particular position within the course material. By setting multiple waypoints, a user can create a customized path through the course material. The user can further specify, for each waypoint, the level of detail of the course material presented to the user. By following the sequence of waypoints, the system can automatically present the course material via a course player to the user in the order the user prefers.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for storing and managing activity objects. The activity objects represent activities that are designed to achieve objectives. The activity model reflected in the activity objects allows the activity objects to be associated with objective objects that represent the objectives of the activities represented by the activity objects. A mechanism is provided to transition activity objects through various states, to allow people with various roles to each apply their own customizations to an activity before the activity is published in association with the syllabus of a particular course offering. Techniques are also described for collecting instrumentation data as users perform the activities associated with the activity objects, and for recommending activities based on previously collected instrumentation data.