Showing papers by "Facebook published in 1998"

Self-policing, rate limiting online forums

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

System and method for searching information stored on a network

Abstract: A system and method for searching websites that uses category information to narrow the range of a website content search. Website content is retrieved through a network and stored. A user starts a search by selecting a category or categories in which information pertinent to the user's needs is likely to be found. The user then performs a keyword search on the content of websites that fall within the selected category or categories. The results of this category-content search are sent and displayed to the user.

System and method for dynamic profiling of users in one-to-one applications and for validating user rules

Abstract: A system and method for generating and validating a user profile (25) for a user based on a static profile (10) and a dynamic profile (15) of the user. The method and system compresses the dynamic rules (15) into aggregated rules so that the user can view a comparatively small number of the aggregated rules and select the desired rules from the aggregated rules based on user-desired criteria. The method and system validates user rules (60) using a processing device, which are retrieved from a storage device. The user rules are seperated into at least one subset of a user set. Then, it is determined if a particular rule of the at least one subset is one of acceptable, unacceptable and undecided based on a defined criteria (415). If the particular rules of the at least one subset are acceptable, the particular rules of the at least one subset are provided (e.g. assigned) to a corresponding user (435).