Abstract: A client machine initiates a browser instance of a browser. The client machine selects a first user identifying state for the browser instance prior to accessing any web pages by the browser instance, wherein the first user identifying state is associated with a first data structure set that comprises a first browser history, a first browser cache and/or a first cookie that are stored at the client machine. The client machine uses the first user identifying state in a session between the browser instance and a server. The client machine updates one or more of the first browser history, the first browser cache or the first cookie of the first data structure set based on the session without updating a second data structure set associated with a second user identifying state.

Abstract: A method and computer system for selectively using an anonymous proxy. A user request for content is received. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. When the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user request is forwarded to an anonymous proxy. When the user request does not satisfy the context criteria, the request is sent directly to a content provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering user identifying information. A user request for content is received, the request including user identifying information. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. If the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user identifying information is filtered out from the user request. The filtered request is then sent to a content provider.

Abstract: A management service is provided for maintaining software of one or more users, or an enterprise. On behalf of users or enterprises, the management service collects supplemental metadata about the certification and updates of software as well as processes related to the development and testing of the software. Supplemental metadata relates to any information that qualitatively describes the software outside of its basic operations. Each piece of supplemental metadata may be individually authenticated to ensure its accuracy. In addition, pieces of supplemental metadata can be combined with other supplemental metadata. Accordingly, a user or system administrator may then use various policies to manage software and determine which updates to install based on the supplemental metadata in addition to the typical intrinsic metadata, such as dependency information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a database implementation across multiple servers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information identifying an implementation of a database having a database schema, identifying the number of database servers to host the database implementation, and analyzing usage characteristics of the database schema. The method further includes distributing the database implementation over the identified number of database servers based on the analysis of the usage characteristics, and providing access to the database implementation for one or more applications, the applications being unaware of the database servers hosting the database implementation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a browser supporting multiple user identifying states. A plurality of browser instances are initiated on a client. One of a plurality of user identifying states is selected for each of the plurality of browser instances. Each selected user identifying state is used in a distinct session between the browser and a server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for certifying the compatibility of a software product by identifying the interfaces (API or ABI) used by that product. The source code or object code of a component is analyzed by a tool that traces which interfaces and data structures of an ABI/API are being utilized. For example, an ISV or IHV may be required to run the tool on their respective components in order to have that component certified with a particular version of an operating system and submit the results to a certification service. The certification service may collect this API/ABI information into an integrated database. The certification service may then use this database to analyze the impact of changes to an operating system at the binary interface level, proactively notify vendors prior to these changes, test compatibility and emulation libraries, and certify components are compatible with an operating system without the need of significant testing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively using an anonymous proxy. A user request for content is received. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. When the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user request is forwarded to an anonymous proxy. When the user request does not satisfy the context criteria, the request is sent directly to a content provider.

Abstract: A method and computer system for selectively using an anonymous proxy. A user request for content is received. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. When the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user request is forwarded to an anonymous proxy. When the user request does not satisfy the context criteria, the request is sent directly to a content provider.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for certifying components based on certification of the development and testing processes of the components. As noted above, traditional certification relies on the certification service or agent to specify the exact details of the development and testing processes performed on a component. In contrast, embodiments of the present invention rely on determining a standard required that should be satisfied by the processes performed on the component and certifying those processes that meet this standard. Hence, detailed specification of the individual actions performed in certified processes is unnecessary. This allows the various entities that develop or test (i.e., produce) a component to flexibly determine their own processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for automated distributed testing of software. A testing service may utilize a distributed architecture that provides a standardized framework for writing tests, scheduling the tests, and gathering and reporting results of the tests. Multiple distributed labs are integrated into the testing service and their environments can be centrally managed by the testing service. The testing service permits the scheduling and performance of tests across multiple machines within a test lab, or tests that span across multiple test labs. Any of the machines in the test labs may be selected based on variety of criteria. The testing service may then automatically locate the appropriate machines that match or satisfy the criteria and schedule the tests when the machines are available. The testing service may also automatically create and set up a desired test environment according to the desired specifications for the test.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a server capable of supporting multiple sessions with a browser. First session information of a browser is detected. Second session information of the browser is detected. A first session is initiated with a first browser instance of the browser using the first session information. A second session is initiated with a second browser instance of the browser using the second session information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for dynamically certifying components. Various entities may participate in the certification process. Operational data from live systems in use may also be collected and considered as part of the certification for a component. This information is then gathered into a database, which may be shared or made publicly available over a network, such as the Internet. In addition, in some embodiments, a proposed system may be certified. A proposed configuration may be submitted to a certification service. The certification service may then analyze the proposed system and determine whether there is a sufficient data to certify the proposed system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a database implementation across multiple servers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information identifying an implementation of a database having a database schema, identifying the number of database servers to host the database implementation, and analyzing usage characteristics of the database schema. The method further includes distributing the database implementation over the identified number of database servers based on the analysis of the usage characteristics, and providing access to the database implementation for one or more applications, the applications being unaware of the database servers hosting the database implementation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering user identifying information. A user request for content is received, the request including user identifying information. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. If the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user identifying information is filtered out from the user request. The filtered request is then sent to a content provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively using an anonymous proxy. A user request for content is received. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. When the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user request is forwarded to an anonymous proxy. When the user request does not satisfy the context criteria, the request is sent directly to a content provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a browser supporting multiple user identifying states. A plurality of browser instances are initiated on a client. One of a plurality of user identifying states is selected for each of the plurality of browser instances. Each selected user identifying state is used in a distinct session between the browser and a server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a server capable of supporting multiple sessions with a browser. First session information of a browser is detected. Second session information of the browser is detected. A first session is initiated with a first browser instance of the browser using the first session information. A second session is initiated with a second browser instance of the browser using the second session information.