Abstract: Approaches are provided for answering an inquiry of a cognitive distributed network. An approach includes receiving the inquiry at the cognitive distributed network. The approach further includes determining a classification for the inquiry based on natural language of the inquiry. The approach further includes classifying the inquiry as a single question class. The approach further includes determining, by at least one computing device, a type of introspection to be used by the cognitive distributed network on the inquiry. The approach further includes generating an answer to the inquiry based on the determined type of introspection.

Abstract: An approach is provided for allowing a network computing (e.g., cloud computing) infrastructure to modify its resource allocation plan (e.g., an instance count) by using a Kth derivative vector plot, which may be generated using historical logs. Among other things, this approach enables an infrastructure to project an allocation forecast for a specified duration and adapt to changes in network traffic.

Abstract: An approach is provided for allowing a network computing (e.g., cloud computing) infrastructure to modify its resource allocation plan (e.g., an instance count) by using a Kth derivative vector plot, which may be generated using historical logs. Among other things, this approach enables an infrastructure to project an allocation forecast for a specified duration and adapt to changes in network traffic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for allocating computing resources based on social networking/media trends in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). In a typical embodiment, a baseline computing resource allocation will be determined for the networked computing environment based upon historical computing resource data (e.g., stored in at least one computer storage device). Social networking trend data corresponding to usage of a set of social networking websites may be received and analyzed to determine a forecasted computing resource allocation (e.g., based on social networking trends). The baseline computing resource allocation may be compared to the forecasted computing resource allocation to identify any difference therebetween. A computing resource allocation protocol/plan may then be determined based on the comparison (e.g., to address the difference).

Abstract: A transparent, flexible, scratch resistant covering (12) is adhesively affixed to the top surface of a snow ski (10). The covering protects the top surface of the ski against scratching during use. The covering is preferably a sheet of plasticized ionomer resin.