Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are provided for facilitating generation of an inference index. In embodiments, a canonical entity is referenced. The canonical entity is associated with web documents. One or more queries that, when input, result in a selection of at least one of the web documents are identified. An entity document is generated for the canonical entity. The entity document includes the identified queries and/or associated text from the content of a document or from an entity title that result in the selection of the at least one of the web documents. The entity document and corresponding canonical entity can be combined with additional related entity documents and canonical entities to generate an inference index.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing methods are provided for implicitly discovering applications using a query or search results, where the query does not explicitly target a particular application. A search engine is used to receive a user-initiated query and to employ a keyword of the query to generate an initial set of search results. Characteristics of the search results are identified and applications that are relevant to the characteristics are determined. The determination of relevant applications include: accessing an application manifest that manages a mapping between applications and predefined characteristics; comparing the characteristics of the search results against the predefined characteristics of the application manifest to determine a match; and, when a match exists between the search-result characteristics and the predefined characteristics, identifying applications mapped to the matched characteristics as being relevant to the search results.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing methods are provided for implicitly discovering applications using a query or search results, where the query does not explicitly target a particular application. A search engine is used to receive a user-initiated query and to employ a keyword of the query to generate an initial set of search results. Characteristics of the search results are identified and applications that are relevant to the characteristics are determined. The determination of relevant applications include: accessing an application manifest that manages a mapping between applications and predefined characteristics; comparing the characteristics of the search results against the predefined characteristics of the application manifest to determine a match; and, when a match exists between the search-result characteristics and the predefined characteristics, identifying applications mapped to the matched characteristics as being relevant to the search results.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are provided for facilitating generation of an inference index. In embodiments, a canonical entity is referenced. The canonical entity is associated with web documents. One or more queries that, when input, result in a selection of at least one of the web documents are identified. An entity document is generated for the canonical entity. The entity document includes the identified queries and/or associated text from the content of a document or from an entity title that result in the selection of the at least one of the web documents. The entity document and corresponding canonical entity can be combined with additional related entity documents and canonical entities to generate an inference index.

Abstract: Distributed computing devices comprising a system for sharing computing resources can provide shared computing resources to users having sufficient resource credits. A user can earn resource credits by reliably offering a computing resource for sharing for a predetermined amount of time. The conversion rate between the amount of credits awarded, and the computing resources provided by a user can be varied to maintain balance within the system, and to foster beneficial user behavior. Once earned, the credits can be used to fund the user's account, joint accounts which include the user and others, or others' accounts that do not provide any access to the user. Computing resources can be exchanged on a peer-to-peer basis, though a centralized mechanism can link relevant peers together. To verify integrity, and protect against maliciousness, offered resources can be periodically tested.

Abstract: Distributed computing devices comprising a system for sharing computing resources can provide shared computing resources to users having sufficient resource credits. A user can earn resource credits by reliably offering a computing resource for sharing for a predetermined amount of time. The conversion rate between the amount of credits awarded, and the computing resources provided by a user can be varied to maintain balance within the system, and to foster beneficial user behavior. Once earned, the credits can be used to fund the user's account, joint accounts which include the user and others, or others' accounts that do not provide any access to the user. Computing resources can be exchanged on a peer-to-peer basis, though a centralized mechanism can link relevant peers together. To verify integrity, and protect against maliciousness, offered resources can be periodically tested.