Red Hat, Inc.

Owen Taylor

Bryan William Clark

Colin G Walters

Donald Francis Fischer

Havoc Pennington

Havoc Penington

David Hugh Malcolm

Seth Aaron Nickell

Alexander Tobias Larsson

Brian M Stevens

John Ross Dennis

Jonathan Richard Blandford

Mark Brian McLoughlin

Donald Fisher

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for online query processing, in which a SQL or other query server can generate a record of results served to clients. The distribution record of results, referred to as a distribution map, can record the identity of properties of database entries or other content that has been distributed to individual clients. When a client transmits a query whose results include properties that have already been served to that client, the re-transmission of that information can be suppressed leading to improved communications efficiency. A notification function can be provided whereby all users receive updates to the properties or content they have already received, when those data components have been updated in the underlying database. The delivered content can relate to personal contact lists, media play lists, or other information displayed in an application or Web service.

Query processing

Discussion of content between users of social networks is described. A request from a first user to discuss content with a recipient user in a first social network is received, wherein the recipient user has a first identifier in the first social network. A request from a second user to discuss content with the recipient user in a second social network is received, wherein the recipient user has a second identifier in the second social network. A discussion is initiated between the second user and the recipient user about the content in the second social network. The recipient user is tracked in view of the first identifier in the first social network and the second identifier in the second social network.

Granting access in view of identifier in network

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems that allow users to share information about their recent activities with other users. In particular, as users receive and/or share multimedia content with other users, information that indicates the locations of this content, such as a website, playlist, or file, is passively tracked and logged. This information may be formatted into a viewable form, such as a web site or web log, and cooperatively shared with other users. Users may then incorporate the multimedia content played by other users into their own library. Users may also elect to synchronize their multimedia content with other users. For convenience, multiple locations for the same multimedia content may be determined when it is logged and tracked. Users may obtain the multimedia content using one or more of their existing accounts with a provider at their own discretion.

Shared playlist management for open overlay for social networks and online services

Embodiments of the present invention provide a platform for an open overlay for online services, such as social networking sites, that permit users to share and leverage information within a single context. In some embodiments, the single context is implemented as a web site that is accessible to a social network of users that are known to each other. Systems and methods are provided that share and forward information for the users' online services within the single context. Client applications are provided that serve as an open overlay for the user and permit the user to seamlessly utilize the services of multiple online services within a single context. In some embodiments, the users' existing account identities and security information are utilized alone or in combination, and thus, the users are not required to establish a separate or new account for accessing the open overlay service.

Open overlay for social networks and online services

Methods and systems to manage users of a social network. The method includes receiving, at a server, a request to contact a user from another user of a social network based on a selected one of a plurality of associated identity resources of the user known by other users. The method also includes restricting views of other users for the identity of the user to the selected one of the plurality of associated identity resources.

Identity management for open overlay for social networks and online services

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and system for allowing an open overlay service for a social network to interface with other online services. In particular, the open overlay service configures its clients to make requests on behalf of the social network. Responses to the requests are routed back to the open overlay service and the information is then provided to the social network. Since the requests come from the client the online services will simply treat them as normal requests, and thus, the open overlay service can seamlessly integrate with a user's online services.

Client-side data scraping for open overlay for social networks and online services

Systems and methods provide a 'live social context' in which users can share multimedia content information. Upon finding multimedia content that a user would like to share with others, the user may select a 'share' function Invitations may then be sent to other users across different services. In addition, the invitation may include content, such as a text comment or file that the user has added. The recipient users receive a live notification of the invitation and may then participate in an online discussion with the user. Furthermore, other users may be provided a live notification that activity has been initiated or in-progress about the multimedia content. These users may then request to join in the online discussion.

Link swarming in an open overlay for social networks and online services

Embodiments relate to a platform for generating ordered download selections based on usage information. A download site can provide a selectable or searchable set of applications to download. The download site collects usage information from online desktops operating on a set of clients. The online desktop of each client samples the applications being used on the client at given intervals and reports the client's usage statistics to the download site. The download site aggregates the usage information received from participating clients and collectively orders applications for download, according to usage rank. A work processing application used by the most users in the last day or other period may be listed first, followed by the second-most used, and so forth. The sampling of actual application usage, instead of for instance download totals, allows the download site to provide downloads in an order most closely approximating users' actual usage behavior.

Systems and methods for generating ordered download selections based on usage information

A computer system comprises a server. The server, in turn, comprises one or more master instances of an operating system (OS). The OS comprises a set of computer program files to operate a computer. The server also includes a version-managing program maintaining the one or more master operating systems. The computer system also includes a number of client computers each of which is configured to operate using one of the one or more master operating systems as read-only files.

System, method, and medium for configuring client computers to operate disconnected from a server computer while using a master instance of the operating system

Embodiments of the present invention provide a protocol for ensuring data integrity of requests made by clients of a social network service. In particular, when a client gets a confirmation from an update request, the confirmation is accompanied by a token that provides information about the update. When the client next makes a read request it passes the token along with the read request. The node at the social network service receiving the request then waits until it makes sure that it has received any notifications that precede the state represented by the token before it processes the request and replies to the client. The token might be, among other things, a physical timestamp, a counter reflecting transactions committed on a database server, or a vector timestamp. In addition, the same technique can be used to ensure ordering between read requests.

Explicit casualty control in a client/server system

Methods and systems can manage the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.

Activity history management for open overlay for social networks and online services

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for logging a client into an internet service using a preexisting service. In order to login, the user may select a link that triggers the service to send login information to the user via a preexisting service, such as instant messaging or email. In some embodiments, the user is sent a link via their preexisting service. The user then logs into the service by selecting the link.

Internet service login using preexisting services

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for managing the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.

Growing community of inventors

Westford, MA, United States of America

Owen Taylor