Allocating, configuring and maintaining cloud computing resources using social media

Abstract

An example method involves receiving an electronic message from a user via a social media interface. The electronic message includes a query associated with a resource of a cloud computing system. A search scope is determined based on a profile associated with the user. The search scope is constrained to first information in the cloud computing system. A search is performed based on the query in the cloud computing system. The search is performed on the first information within the search scope. The search excludes second information that is not within the search scope. Search results of the first information are provided to the user via the social media interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to interact with users in a cloud computing system, the method comprising:
 receiving an electronic message from a user via a social media interface, the electronic message including a query associated with a resource of the cloud computing system;   determining, with a processor, a search scope based on a profile associated with the user, the search scope constrained to first information in the cloud computing system;   performing a search based on the query in the cloud computing system, the search performed on the first information within the search scope, and the search excluding second information that is not within the search scope; and   providing search results of the first information to the user via the social media interface.   
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the profile is indicative of resources that the user is authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first information to which the search scope is constrained is information associated with resources that the user is authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further including interpreting, with the processor, terms within the electronic message to generate a search query. 
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein performing the search is based on the search query. 
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second information is information associated with resources that the user is not authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the profile is a conversation context profile. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus to interact with users in a cloud computing system, the apparatus comprising:
 a social media interface to receive an electronic message from a user, the electronic message including a query associated with a resource of the cloud computing system; and   an in-context searcher to:
 determine a search scope based on a profile associated with the user, the search scope to be constrained to first information in the cloud computing system; 
 perform a search based on the query in the cloud computing system, the search performed on the first information within the search scope, and the search excluding second information that is not within the search scope; and 
 provide search results of the first information to the user. 
   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the profile is indicative of resources that the user is authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first information to which the search scope is constrained is associated with the resources that the user is authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , further including the in-context searcher to interpret terms within the electronic message to generate a search query. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the in-context searcher is to perform the search based on the search query. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the second information is associated with resources that the user is not authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the profile is to be a conversation context profile. 
     
     
         15 . An article of manufacture comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to at least:
 receive an electronic message from a user via a social media interface, the electronic message including a query associated with a resource of the cloud computing system;   determine a search scope based on a profile associated with the user, the search scope to be constrained to first information in the cloud computing system;   perform a search based on the query in the cloud computing system, the search performed on the first information within the search scope, and the search excluding second information that is not within the search scope; and   provide search results of the first information to the user via the social media interface.   
     
     
         16 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the profile is indicative of resources that the user is authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         17 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the first information to which the search scope is constrained is associated with resources that the user is authorized to access in the cloud computing system. 
     
     
         18 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to interpret terms within the electronic message to generate a search query. 
     
     
         19 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform the search based on the search query. 
     
     
         20 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the profile is a conversation context profile.