Abstract: A method of collecting product data, e.g., from a plurality of web sites on the Internet. The method is operative from a client computer and utilizes a pricing agent. Using the agent, a user can generate a set of product profiles each identifying a given site URL, a list of one or more included items to be queried, a scan interval, and a site template. For a given product profile, the agent periodically retrieves data from the given site URL at the scan interval. It then parses the data retrieved according to the site template to generate a data record for each included item comprising an item name, an associated price value and, optionally, a secondary source. The retrieved data may also be compared against one or more threshold expressions to generate given actions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a distributed data processing system for managing memory in a data processing system within the distributed data processing system. Responsive to detecting a first level of memory shortage on the data processing system, a first set of monitors is automatically stopped on the data processing system. Responsive to detecting a second level of memory shortage on the data processing system, a second set of monitors is stopped on the data processing system. Responsive to detecting a ceasing of the memory shortage, all stopped monitors are automatically started.