Patent ID: 8010619
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for a computer system comprises: determining a first social distance for a first user with respect to a second user; determining a second social distance for a third user with respect to the second user, wherein the first and second social distances are calculated in response to the first and third users logging into a social network including the first user, the second user, and the third user; determining a first qualitative rating associated with the first user, the first qualitative rating based on a first reliability factor related to the first user, wherein the first reliability factor is derived from input by a first rater independent of the second user; determining a second qualitative rating associated with the third user, the second qualitative rating based on a second reliability factor related to the third user, wherein the second reliability factor is derived from input by a second rater independent of the second user; determining a first trust-metric for the first user based on the first social distance and the first qualitative rating; determining a second trust-metric for the third user based on the second social distance and the second qualitative rating; prioritizing a first listing from the first user over a second listing from the third user for the second user based on the first trust-metric and the second trust-metric; and evaluating the first social distance in order to determine a fee to be assessed to the first user for providing the first listing for the second user, wherein the fee assessment is triggered if the first social distance is higher than a designated threshold social distance between the first user and the second user.