Abstract: A method of displaying information to a user upon startup of a program on a first computer. The method includes obtaining the information from a second computer and, upon startup of the program on the first computer, displaying the information. A method is described, where the program is a program that runs on a first computer. A second computer sends, over the network to first computer, information to be displayed to a user. A command is received to launch the program. After receiving the command to launch the program and without user intervention, at least a portion of the information is displayed. Without user intervention, the at least a portion of the information is removed. A method, wherein the information is obtained over a network is described, as well as wherein the network comprises the internet. An embodiment wherein the information is described in a flash screen is described.

Abstract: A protocol for use in a system including a first node, a second node and, in some instances, a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by a point to point packet-based communication system defines transactions for transferring variable amounts of data from one node to another. A GET transaction allows an instigator node to send a packet to a partner node. The packet specifies data length, and an address in the partner node's resource. A PUT transaction similarly allows an instigator node to send a packet specifying a response port identifier, a data length and an address in a partner node's resource to which data is to be written. A PROXY transaction is disclosed which allows an instigator node to cause a source partner node to send data to a target (destination) partner node. Other transactions are also disclosed. In each instance, port identifiers accompany packets in order to associate received data with a particular transaction.

Abstract: A protocol for use in a system including a first node, a second node and, in some instances, a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by means of a point to point packet-based communication system defines transactions for transferring variable amounts of data from one node to another. A GET transaction allows an instigator node to send a packet to a partner node. The packet specifies data length, and an address in the partner node's resource. The partner node returns a packet to the instigator node, the packet containing the data. A PUT transaction similarly allows an instigator node to send a packet specifying a response port identifier, a data length and an address in a partner node's resource to which data is to be written. The partner returns a packet containing the response port identifier and a data port identifier. The instigator node includes the data port identifier in a packet containing the data.