Abstract: A server system is disclosed that is capable of providing responsive content to a user when a request for an invalid URL is received. In a preferred embodiment, the server system implements multiple rescue strategies for attempting to rescue the invalid URL. One such rescue strategy involves repairing the URL by correcting for encoding errors, such as errors introduced by some web clients. Another rescue strategy involves determining that the URL contains an obsolete or outdated item identifier (e.g., product identifier) that renders the URL invalid, and returning information regarding one or more related items to the user. Another rescue strategy involves mining the invalid URL for one or more text strings reflective of the type of content desired, and then using the one or more text strings to execute a keyword search to identify content to provide to the user. The various rescue strategies may be attempted in sequence according to a hierarchy.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a device that presents a mass storage device to a computing environment, and which stores data written to the device by the computer in a network storage service. The device also presents files stored in the network storage service to the computer as though those files were stored on a mass storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for accelerating the download of files via a browser. The browser is configured to determine a file to be downloaded from a server. The browser determines a quantity of concurrent connections for the browser. The browser requests a plurality of fragments of the file from the server based at least in part on the quantity of concurrent connections. The browser reconstitutes the file by combining the fragments received from the server.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable initiating playback of a media fragment before the entire fragment has been downloaded. Also described are techniques that enable a more granular approach to the way in which a client device requests and plays back media fragments.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a deployment management system. A second version of a deployable application is executed concurrently with a first version. Network traffic sent to the first version of the application is redirected to the second version. In the event of an error, network traffic is directed back to the first version of the application. After a period of concurrent execution, the first version of the application is terminated.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a behavior visualization application. Navigation events are obtained from a client navigating through a workflow. Durations the client is focused on a respective workflow page and the transitions between workflow pages are determined from the navigation events. A visualization embodying the durations of focus and transitions is generated. Visual elements correspond to respective consecutive durations of focus, and are linked to represent transitions between respective workflow pages.

Abstract: A system regulates server load by dynamically selecting variables that directly or indirectly control the type and/or quantity of processing performed in responding to content requests, such as requests for dynamically generated web pages. For example, the system may use current load level data to vary the sizes of input data sets used to generate personalized recommendations or other content for users.

Abstract: Techniques are described for balancing traffic among content delivery networks (CDNs). A CDN balancer can analyze CDN performance data and determine CDN balancing ratios used to distribute traffic among the CDNs.

Abstract: Electronic devices may find and test wireless networks present at a location, and may display available networks to a user for selection and use. The finding and testing may vary based upon the location of the device, including such factors as previously determined networks for the area, time at the location, and so forth.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a deployment management system. A second version of a deployable application is executed concurrently with a first version. Network traffic sent to the first version of the application is redirected to the second version. In the event of an error, network traffic is directed back to the first version of the application. After a period of concurrent execution, the first version of the application is terminated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for partitioning a manifest file to generate smaller manifest files for media content playback. A server partitions a manifest file prior to receipt of a request from a client or in response to a request from a client for a manifest for media content for a particular temporal range or subset of playback options.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for generating manifest files for media content playback. A server can generate manifest files that include initialization metadata obtained from initialization fragments of media content files. Client devices can initiate playback of media content for playback using the manifest files without downloading or parsing the initialization fragments of the media content files.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing cell searches in a mobile communication system supporting variable channel bandwidths are disclosed. A user device stores data identifying frequency bands, networks associated with the frequency bands, and various channel bandwidths supported by the networks. The user device is operable to dynamically update the stored data upon detecting a new network associated with one of the frequency bands.

Abstract: Determining whether to allow access to a message is disclosed. A message is received from a sender. The message is associated with a first time-to-live (TTL) value. A determination is made that the first time-to-live value has not been exceeded. The determination is made at least in part by obtaining an external master clock time. In response to the determination, access is allowed to the message.

Abstract: At a cell manager external to a network-accessible service, a set of data associated with a first isolated cell of the service is obtained. Service requests representing respective subsets of the workload of the service are processed at respective cells, with each cell comprising a number of request processing nodes. The cell manager analyzes the set of data, and initiates a configuration change at the first isolated cell based on results of the analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for managing accounts for network sites. In one embodiment, account information is automatically removed from a client when a logout is performed. In another embodiment, encrypted account information and an authentication client that decrypts the account information are stored upon a portable data store that is removably attached to a computing device. In yet another embodiment, a first user may indicate that account information is to be shared with a second user.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating anticipatory distribution of applications to a network of remote hosts. A demand for each of the applications is calculated. Based on criteria within the demand and computing resources available, remote hosts are selected to receive the applications. Transmissions of the applications to the selected remote hosts are scheduled and monitored for completion according to the schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently managing a cache in a distributed environment. When entries are written into a cache, the entries include dependency information. The distributed system keeps invalidation entries that keep track of what dependent values have change and enforces invalidation of entries on cache reads. An asynchronous process actively invalidates entries and garbage collects the invalidation entries. The distributed system advantageously allows writing and reading cached entries across service boundaries.