Abstract: Versioning may be utilized in a knowledge base decision tree in order to provide several useful features. To accomplish this, when a decision tree is traversed, the decision tree representing a knowledge base and having non-leaf nodes with one or more branches representing possible symptoms, and leaf nodes with no branches, branches may be followed corresponding to symptoms experience by the application until a leaf node is reached. This traversal may be recorded as a version, with subsequent traversals having a different version. This allows a user to rerun performance tuning either from the beginning or from an earlier node without having to re-enter information already provided. It also allows a user to resume the performance tuning should he be interrupted in the middle, such as by a crash or by having to halt a long traversal.

Abstract: A method of rating a bug, including reporting the bug to a business entity by an interested party, entering information regarding the bug into a database, assigning a priority number for the bug, calculating a sigma number for the bug using the priority number, evaluating the bug to be fixed using the sigma number, and escalating the bug. A bug council rating apparatus, including a database to store the information entered using a graphical user interface, a priority number module configured to generate a priority number, and a sigma number module configured to generate a sigma number.

Abstract: Versioning may be utilized in a knowledge base decision tree in order to provide several useful features. To accomplish this, when a decision tree is traversed, the decision tree representing a knowledge base and having non-leaf nodes with one or more branches representing possible symptoms, and leaf nodes with no branches, branches may be followed corresponding to symptoms experience by the application until a leaf node is reached. This traversal may be recorded as a version, with subsequent traversals having a different version. This allows a user to rerun performance tuning either from the beginning or from an earlier node without having to re-enter information already provided. It also allows a user to resume the performance tuning should he be interrupted in the middle, such as by a crash or by having to halt a long traversal.

Abstract: In order to diagnose applications, a specialized knowledge base may be created that is static upon creation but may become dynamic when traversed. The knowledge base may be defined as a decision tree having one or more diagnosis nodes, one or more analysis nodes, and one or more symptom branches. The diagnosis nodes are leaf nodes and indicate proposed diagnoses and/or proposed remedies for an application. The symptom branches may connect analysis nodes to other analysis nodes or analysis nodes to diagnosis nodes, and may indicate possible symptoms of the application. The analysis nodes may be non-leaf nodes and indicate information required to determine which symptom branches to follow during traversal. Additionally, the analysis nodes may indicate additional information required from a collector agent before traversal can be continued. This allows the knowledge base to be utilized dynamically, improving performance and reliability.

Abstract: A virtual printer for print jobs printed on networked printers. First, the virtual printer checks a user's preferences regarding a print job the user wishes to send such as speed and image quality. Next, the virtual printer determines, using a server, database or other query, the most appropriate printer complying with the print job preferences, and located physically near the user and sends the print job to that printer. If the printer returns an error signal, the virtual printer will determine a different printer which closely complies with the print job preferences and re-send the print job. If a busy signal is returned, the user will be given the choice of waiting or having the virtual printer automatically determine the next available appropriate printer. When the print job is complete, the user will be notified of the physical location of the printer where the print job was processed.

Abstract: A method of rating a bug, including reporting the bug to a business entity by an interested party, entering information regarding the bug into a database, assigning a priority number for the bug, calculating a sigma number for the bug using the priority number, evaluating the bug to be fixed using the sigma number, and escalating the bug. A bug council rating apparatus, including a database to store the information entered using a graphical user interface, a priority number module configured to generate a priority number, and a sigma number module configured to generate a sigma number.

Abstract: A virtual printer for print jobs printed on networked printers. First, the virtual printer checks a user's preferences regarding a print job the user wishes to send such as speed and image quality. Next, the virtual printer determines, using a server, database or other query, the most appropriate printer complying with the print job preferences, and located physically near the user and sends the print job to that printer. If the printer returns an error signal, the virtual printer will determine a different printer which closely complies with the print job preferences and re-send the print job. If a busy signal is returned, the user will be given the choice of waiting or having the virtual printer automatically determine the next available appropriate printer. When the print job is complete, the user will be notified of the physical location of the printer where the print job was processed.

Abstract: A print server for print jobs printed on networked printers. First, the print server receives preferences regarding a print job the user wishes to send such as speed and image quality. Next, the server determines, using a database or other query, the most appropriate printer complying with the print job preferences that is located physically near the user and spools the print job to that printer. If the printer returns an error signal, the server will determine a different printer which closely complies with the print job preferences and re-send the print job. If a busy signal is returned, the user will be given the choice of waiting or having the server automatically determine the next available appropriate printer. When the print job is complete, the user will be notified of the physical location of the printer where the print job was processed.