Abstract: A media content sharing system includes multiple broadcast operation centers that together are configured to automatically acquire and distribute media content among one another based upon the media content needs and inventories of each participating broadcast operation center. The media sharing system architecture eliminates any single-point of system failure such that an inventory of media content corresponding to a particular broadcast operation center remains available to broadcast operation centers remaining on the media content sharing system subsequent to failure of the particular broadcast operation center.

Abstract: A media content sharing system includes multiple broadcast operation centers that together are configured to automatically acquire and distribute media content among one another based upon the media content needs and inventories of each participating broadcast operation center. The media sharing system architecture eliminates any single-point of system failure such that an inventory of media content corresponding to a particular broadcast operation center remains available to broadcast operation centers remaining on the media content sharing system subsequent to failure of the particular broadcast operation center.

Abstract: Establishment and maintenance of a managed community. In this disclosure there is an approach and tool that enables an administration tool to manage communities whose information resides in separate and differently structured directories and databases. In addition, this disclosure describes an approach and tool that enables an administration tool to establish information to be managed from the broad range of directories and databases, which includes defining information that is to be managed and information that is not to be managed and the discovering of new information to manage.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing information or data from distributed databases is disclosed. Generally, the method includes the steps of receiving an unstructured query from a user, generalizing the query to expand the query, receiving from the user selected terms of the expanded query, searching a directory for database tables and/or attributes matching the selected terms, and generating a pictorial query using database tables suggested as relevant by the search. Thereafter, an SQL query may be generated to retrieve the relevant data from the actual distributed databases.

Abstract: A method and system for im porting database information or data is disclosed. Generally, the method includes the steps of receiving first information relating to the first database, extracting from the first database second information, processing the second information to provide at least a first expanded name relating to a first item of the second information, and storing the first expanded name, for example in a database structure, such as a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (“LDAP”) directory. Thereafter, the method may include the step of processing a query directed to obtaining information from distributed database, including the first database.

Abstract: A delegated administrative tool for administrating information in a database directory using attribute permissions. The delegated administrative tool enables an administrator to form administrative domains and sub-domains having user attribute permissions that define administrative operations that an administrator can and cannot perform on a user attribute. Also, the delegated administrative tool enables an administrator to define restricted values for assigning to the user attributes.

Abstract: Establishment and maintenance of a managed community. In this disclosure there is an approach and tool that enables an administration tool to manage communities whose information resides in separate and differently structured directories and databases. In addition, this disclosure describes an approach and tool that enables an administration tool to establish information to be managed from the broad range of directories and databases, which includes defining information that is to be managed and information that is not to be managed and the discovering of new information to manage.