Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for automatically managing a collection of service instances. A selected or random instance of the service isredline-tested to determine a maximum level of sustained and stable performance (e.g., a maximum or approximate maximum load or throughput of the service instance). This redline value may represent a highest service request rate (e.g., in queries per second or qps) that should be delivered to some or all instances of the service. An expected range of demand for the service is then estimated for a future time period, possibly from analysis and/or observations of past demand, and a maximum and minimum number of instances for handling that range of demand, at an acceptable level of performance, can be determined. During the time period, additional instances may be created and superfluous instances may be removed automatically, based on actual demand.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a mouse pointer for use with a three-button mouse, whereby a user is notified that a button has been erroneously depressed. Detectors detect an external force applied to a third button. A mouse function determiner uses the detection results to determine a pertinent function allocated to the third button. A mouse pointer shape determiner, in turn, uses the determination results to determine a shape of a mouse pointer corresponding to the pertinent function. In response to the external force, the shape of the mouse pointer currently being displayed is changed. Thus, through visual feedback a user can be apprized of the fact that an external force has been applied to the third button. This will, in turn, notify the user when the wrong button has been depressed.