Abstract:
A trust management engine maintains transferable files in a file data store of a data server accessible to users in a trust list of trusted users authorized to access the transferable files. The trust management engine facilitates a transmission of an email message containing a link to the transferable files to each of the users in the trust list. The email message is stored in an email server that is separate from the data server. The trust management engine receives a request from one of the users in the trust list of trusted users to access the transferable files in response to a selection of the link in the email message. In response to the request, the trust management engine facilitates a transmission of the one or more transferable files from the file data store to the requesting user.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Since their introduction, blogs (like Mashable, Lifehacker, The Huffington Post) and social network sites (like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter) have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. There are now hundreds of social networks and thousands of blogs supporting a wide range of interests and topics. However, if you are interested in follow or participate any number of these blogs or social network sites, you would have to go to their individual URL one by one and access to the content. This presents another problem, and that is users now have to be familiar with multiple user interfaces. In addition data is accessed in different ways which also makes it difficult for users learn all these different sites. 
         [0002]    There are some alternatives like social network aggregators, but they do not provide social network capability of their own. Still others provide social network capability, but only for separate groups or organizations made up of small unconnected social network groups, but does not have the power of combined networks. In addition, there are no solutions to manage information on these blogs and social network sites all together, like searching, sorting, organizing, accessing, etc. in a combined manner. Users have to do that one by one in every site. Furthermore, most social network sites do not provide sufficient capability to users for categorizing content based on some general topics which makes relevant data spread around and make it difficult for searching and finding. 
         [0003]    In these blogs and social network sites, user typically do not have the ability to send a message to only one person, or only to those select group of people. Typically information open to anyone and user has very little control on who to communicate with. To address this problem, instead, individuals and businesses also have been using emails for communication, which provides control over who to communicate with. However, emails do have number of drawbacks as well. For example, when an email is sent to five people, five copies of the original email is sent increasing the overall storage requirements substantially. Another problem with emails is the lost emails. Many users complain that they did not receive the email. For number of reasons emails do not arrive at their intended destinations. Some of them end up in so called “junk mail” folders, which some people do not look at or check only rarely. Another problem with emails is that anyone who knows your email address can send and email and you cannot effectively control that. So, users end up with hundreds of emails in their inbox that they have to review and delete, which wastes time and causes distraction. Another problem with email is that all emails come to your only email inbox. It takes time and effort to review and sort them based on content or who it is coming from. 
         [0004]    Another problem with these sites is that they provide only one way of communication like, either posting, or text messaging, etc. User cannot use posting, text messaging, emailing, and private messaging for communication in one site. Another problem with these blogs and social network sites is generally users do not know if there is a message or communication or content until user logs in to the sites individually one by one. 
         [0005]    Another problem is the privacy issue. In many of these blogs and social network sites, information is open to the public and shared. This aspect of the social networks limits use of social networks for businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, etc. Blogs and social networks, as the name suggest, are primarily connecting people in a social environment, but not meant to be used in a business environment where privacy and security are important. 
         [0006]    Another problem with these sites that they do not have rating or ranking of content or users. Not having such capabilities typically promotes content that is not desirable by many users. In addition, these sites do not provide incentives to users for participation and contribution. As a result, quality of the content created in these sites may suffer. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a strong need for a system and methods for creating, managing, searching, categorizing, sharing, collecting, aggregating and communicating public and private content and personal messages through multiplicity of communication channels like posting, personal email, and text, audio, and video messaging. Furthermore, system and methods for connecting users to multiplicity of content like social networks, blogs, events, discussion boards, news and for enabling users to access content through wireless as well as wired networks, utilizing portable and non-portable electronic hardware device. Furthermore, system and methods for providing a unified hierarchical user interface for content display, management, access and communication. Furthermore, system and methods for incentivizing users for participation and quality content by use of credits, and ranks and ratings of users and content. Furthermore, system and methods for enabling sponsors to engage with users by sponsoring categories or target users at specific categories based on user interest and by providing incentives to those users for their participations. Furthermore, system and methods for enabling business managing their content and internal communications in a private and secure environment. 
         [0008]    The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, the approaches described in this section may not be prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an example of a trusted social network system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an example of a system having a trusted social network hierarchy. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of a trust reciprocation system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts an example of a system including trust folders. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts an example of a system for controlling access to a trust folder. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts an example of a system capable of forwarding content to and receiving replies from a destination that does not have access to a trust folder. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts an example of a system for determining and indicating a global trust level for a member of a trusted social network. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for maintaining a trust folder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  depicts a conceptual example of a is a screenshot following subscription to a theme. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10-25  depict conceptual examples of screenshots of a device a member is using to indicate settings in a trusted social network system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 26  depicts examples of high level user interface folders. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 27A and 27B  depict flowcharts of an example of a method for general navigation in a trusted social network structure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 28  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot at a top level of a social network structure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 29  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a categories main page. 
           [0023]      FIG. 30  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a category page. 
           [0024]      FIG. 31  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of an article page. 
           [0025]      FIG. 32  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of an article page in full page display mode. 
           [0026]      FIG. 33  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a top articles main page. 
           [0027]      FIG. 34  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a top articles article page. 
           [0028]      FIG. 35  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a favorites main page. 
           [0029]      FIG. 36  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a favorites article list page. 
           [0030]      FIG. 37  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a favorite article page. 
           [0031]      FIG. 38  depicts a conceptual diagram of a screen shot of an example of a personal main page. 
           [0032]    Examples of pages that can be displayed in association with a personal folder are illustrated in  FIGS. 39-50 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 51  shows a search page that can be for category, article, user, sponsor. Search can also be saved. 
           [0034]      FIG. 52  shows search results showing all different fields related to searched item, like date, subject, status, and others. 
           [0035]      FIG. 53  shows search results with fields like number of posts, publications, rating and others. 
           [0036]      FIG. 54  shows a user page showing personal picture, personal information, and statistical information about the user. 
           [0037]      FIG. 55  shows search results with fields like rating, categories, number of users, and others. 
           [0038]      FIG. 56  shows a user interface personal folder diagram with different possible folders for a user. 
           [0039]      FIG. 57  shows a corporate Data access view in which users can access to corporate data through smart phones or web browsers. 
           [0040]      FIG. 58  shows a user interface, high level flow diagram. 
           [0041]      FIG. 59  shows a user interface search flow. 
           [0042]      FIG. 60  shows programming synchronization. 
           [0043]      FIG. 61  shows a typical email system. 
           [0044]      FIG. 62  shows a proposed email system. 
           [0045]      FIG. 63  shows examples of possible communications between users. 
           [0046]      FIG. 64  shows proposed email system. 
           [0047]      FIG. 65  shows a proposed email system. 
           [0048]      FIG. 66  shows a general dataflow diagram. 
           [0049]      FIG. 67  shows a rate page. User can rate category, article and user. 
           [0050]      FIG. 68A  shows a dataflow for sponsor articles read through websites. 
           [0051]      FIG. 68B  shows sponsored articles. 
           [0052]      FIG. 69A  shows a dataflow for sponsor articles read through websites can be downloaded to central system. 
           [0053]      FIG. 69B  shows sponsored articles. 
           [0054]      FIG. 70  shows a share page. 
           [0055]      FIG. 71  shows a block user. 
           [0056]      FIG. 72  shows a general administrative user interface page. 
           [0057]      FIG. 73  shows a general administrative production interface page. 
           [0058]      FIG. 74  shows a general administrative production categories interface page. 
           [0059]      FIG. 75  shows a general administrative holding stage interface page. 
           [0060]      FIG. 76  shows a general administrative submit interface page. 
           [0061]      FIG. 77  shows a general administrative user management interface page. 
           [0062]      FIG. 78  shows a general administrative potential user management interface page. 
           [0063]      FIG. 79  shows a general administrative cancelled user management interface page. 
           [0064]      FIG. 80  shows a general administrative information interface page. 
           [0065]      FIG. 81  shows a general administrative problem-suggestion interface page. 
           [0066]      FIG. 82  shows a general administrative regular Constants interface page. 
           [0067]      FIG. 83  shows a general administrative sponsor Constants interface page. 
           [0068]      FIG. 84  shows a general administrative release version interface page. 
           [0069]      FIG. 85  shows a general dataflow diagram for private and public themes and categories. 
           [0070]      FIG. 86A  shows a general data flow for theme-article hierarchy, and connection to social media. 
           [0071]      FIG. 86B  shows a general article hierarchy—categories, categories, articles, article. 
           [0072]      FIG. 86C  shows a general theme-article hierarchy—categories, articles, article. 
           [0073]      FIG. 87  shows create new category for sponsors. 
           [0074]      FIG. 88A  shows a general dataflow diagram for user private and public categories. 
           [0075]      FIG. 88B  shows general user private and public categories. 
           [0076]      FIG. 89  shows a user system data flow submitting category or article. 
           [0077]      FIG. 90  shows an administrative special setup page. 
           [0078]      FIG. 91  shows a private category article page. 
           [0079]      FIG. 92  shows an add article to favorite page. 
           [0080]      FIG. 93  shows a user rating and review results page. 
           [0081]      FIG. 94  shows an article reply or post screen. 
           [0082]      FIG. 95  shows an article reply or post screen for sponsor. 
           [0083]      FIG. 96  shows a create new category. 
           [0084]      FIG. 97  shows a personal reply and post list screen. 
           [0085]      FIG. 98  shows an article info page. 
           [0086]      FIG. 99  shows a display menu screen. 
           [0087]      FIG. 100  shows a description of typical email system of  FIG. 61 . 
           [0088]      FIG. 101  shows a description of proposed email system of  FIG. 62 . 
           [0089]      FIG. 102  shows a description of Examples of possible communications between user of  FIG. 63 . 
           [0090]      FIG. 103  shows a description of proposed email system of  FIG. 64 . 
           [0091]      FIG. 104  shows a description of proposed email system of  FIG. 65 . 
           [0092]      FIG. 105  shows an administrative special setup page. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0093]      FIG. 1  depicts an example of a trusted social network system  100 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a network  102 , a trusted social network server  104 , client devices  106 - 1  to  106 -N (collectively, the client devices  106 ), and data devices  108 - 1  to  108 -N (collectively, the data devices  108 ). The trusted social network server  104 , client devices  106 , and data devices  108  are coupled to the network  102 . 
         [0094]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , the network  102  can include a networked system that includes several computer systems coupled together, such as the Internet. The term “Internet” as used herein refers to a network of networks that uses certain protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol, and possibly other protocols such as the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for hypertext markup language (HTML) documents that make up the World Wide Web (the web). Content is often provided by content servers, which are referred to as being “on” the Internet. A web server, which is one type of content server, is typically at least one computer system which operates as a server computer system and is configured to operate with the protocols of the web and is coupled to the Internet. The physical connections of the Internet and the protocols and communication procedures of the Internet and the web are well known to those of skill in the relevant art. For illustrative purposes, it is assumed the network  102  broadly includes, as understood from relevant context, anything from a minimalist coupling of the components illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1 , to every component of the Internet and networks coupled to the Internet. 
         [0095]    A computer system, as used in this paper, is intended to be construed broadly. In general, a computer system will include a processor, memory, non-volatile storage, and an interface. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), such as a microprocessor, or a special-purpose processor, such as a microcontroller. The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or distributed. The term “computer-readable storage medium” is intended to include physical media, such as memory. The bus can also couple the processor to the non-volatile storage. The non-volatile storage is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during execution of software on the computer system. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed. The non-volatile storage is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. 
         [0096]    Software is typically stored in the non-volatile storage. Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to store the entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer-readable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein, a software program is assumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers) when the software program is referred to as “implemented in a computer-readable storage medium.” A processor is considered to be “configured to execute a program” when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor. 
         [0097]    The bus can also couple the processor to the interface. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system. The interface can include an analog modem, isdn modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface can include one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices. The I/O devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other I/O devices, including a display device. The display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device. 
         [0098]    In one example of operation, the computer system can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system. File management systems are typically stored in non-volatile storage and cause the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile storage. One example of operating system software with associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated file management systems. Another example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the Linux operating system and its associated file management system. Another example of operating system software with associated file management system software is VM (or VM/CMS), which refers to a family of IBM virtual machine operating systems used on IBM mainframes System/370, System/390, zSeries, System z, and compatible systems, including the Hercules emulator for personal computers. 
         [0099]    Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
         [0100]    It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
         [0101]    The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs to configure the general purpose systems in a specific manner in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct specialized apparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the techniques are not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages. 
         [0102]    Referring once again to  FIG. 1 , in the example of  FIG. 1 , the trusted social network server  104  includes a member registration and certification engine  110 , a members datastore  112 , a contact information input engine  114 , a content sources datastore  116 , a one-way trust list creation engine  118 , a one-way trust lists datastore  120 , a reciprocated trust management engine  122 , a master reciprocated trust folders datastore  124 , and a network interface  126 . 
         [0103]    The trusted social network server  104  can be implemented on a known or convenient computer system. Only one trusted social network server  104  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that a single entity could have multiple distinct devices with server software implemented thereon, and multiple entities could be coupled to the network  102  and part of a collaborative social network service. Moreover, partial functionality might be provided by a first device and partial functionality might be provided by a second device, where together the first and second devices provide the full functionality attributed to the trusted social network server  104 . It should be further noted that some of the functionality attributed to the trusted social network server  104  could be carried out on a client device (e.g., a one-way trust list could be created at a client device and sent to the trusted social network server  104  after it is created). 
         [0104]    The exact configuration of the trusted social network server  104  can vary depending upon the entity that is offering the service. Businesses are likely to be more controlling of member activities, and may include automatic reciprocated trust for employees, or automatic one-way trust for certain employees (e.g., all employees automatically include CXO contact information in their one-way trust lists, but the CXOs do not necessarily include all employees in their one-way trust lists). Employees may also have more restrictions on establishing trust with parties outside of the business due to the business&#39; concerns about accepting malware from outside sources or enabling employees to spend time with non-business contacts. 
         [0105]    The member registration and certification engine  110  and other engines described in this paper include computer-readable media coupled to a processor. The computer-readable media have data, including executable files, that the processor can use to transform the data and create new data. An engine can include a dedicated or shared processor and firmware or software modules (implemented in memory) that are executed by the processor. Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, an engine can be centralized or its functionality distributed. An engine can include special purpose hardware, firmware, or software embodied in a computer-readable medium for execution by the processor. As used in this paper, a computer-readable medium is intended to include all mediums that are statutory (e.g., in the United States, under 35 U.S.C. 101), and to specifically exclude all mediums that are non-statutory in nature to the extent that the exclusion is necessary for a claim that includes the computer-readable medium to be valid. Known statutory computer-readable mediums include hardware (e.g., registers, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile (NV) storage, to name a few), but may or may not be limited to hardware. 
         [0106]    The member registration and certification engine  110  is configured to register members in the trusted social network associated with the trusted social network server  104 . The members can be input through an administrative procedure using data that is available within a business concern (e.g., by a systems administrator), through a member-facing registration procedure (e.g., through a web page interface), or in some other applicable fashion. At a minimum, a member will need to provide or be assigned contact information. The contact information used can be considered implementation-specific, but a likely implementation will include an electronic address (e.g., email address) or a phone number, which can be used for calls, SMS, or as a unique identifier for a member. Certification is often desirable to ensure that members are legitimate, and can include procedures such as authentication (e.g., password, security question, or the like), validation of the device (e.g., one of the client devices  106 ), use of a certification authority, or another applicable certification process. This can reduce the risk that members are not who they say they are. 
         [0107]    Data associated with members can be stored in the members datastore  112 , which is coupled to the member registration and certification engine  110 . The members datastore  112 , and other datastores described in this paper, can be implemented, for example, as software embodied in a physical computer-readable medium on a general- or specific-purpose machine, in firmware, in hardware, in a combination thereof, or in an applicable known or convenient device or system. This and other datastores described in this paper are intended, if applicable, to include any organization of data, including tables, comma-separated values (CSV) files, traditional databases (e.g., SQL), or other known or convenient organizational formats. 
         [0108]    In an example of a system where a datastore is implemented as a database, a database management system (DBMS) can be used to manage the datastore. In such a case, the DBMS may be thought of as part of the datastore or as part of a broader system (e.g., the trusted social network server  104 ), or as a separate functional unit (not shown). A DBMS is typically implemented as an engine that controls organization, storage, management, and retrieval of data in a database. DBMSs frequently provide the ability to query, backup and replicate, enforce rules, provide security, do computation, perform change and access logging, and automate optimization. Examples of DBMSs include Alpha Five, DataEase, Oracle database, IBM DB2, Adaptive Server Enterprise, FileMaker, Firebird, Ingres, Informix, Mark Logic, Microsoft Access, InterSystems Cache, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Visual FoxPro, MonetDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Progress, SQLite, Teradata, CSQL, OpenLink Virtuoso, Daffodil DB, and OpenOffice.org Base, to name several. 
         [0109]    Database servers can store databases, as well as the DBMS and related engines. Any of the datastores described in this paper could presumably be implemented as database servers. It should be noted that there are two logical views of data in a database, the logical (external) view and the physical (internal) view. In this paper, the logical view is generally assumed to be data found in a report, while the physical view is the data stored in a physical storage medium and available to a specifically programmed processor. With most DBMS implementations, there is one physical view and an almost unlimited number of logical views for the same data. 
         [0110]    A DBMS typically includes a modeling language, data structure, database query language, and transaction mechanism. The modeling language is used to define the schema of each database in the DBMS, according to the database model, which may include a hierarchical model, network model, relational model, object model, or some other applicable known or convenient organization. An optimal structure may vary depending upon application requirements (e.g., speed, reliability, maintainability, scalability, and cost). One of the more common models in use today is the ad hoc model embedded in SQL. Data structures can include fields, records, files, objects, and any other applicable known or convenient structures for storing data. A database query language can enable users to query databases, and can include report writers and security mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access. A database transaction mechanism ideally ensures data integrity, even during concurrent user accesses, with fault tolerance. DBMSs can also include a metadata repository; metadata is data that describes other data. 
         [0111]    Member data that is stored in the members datastore  112  can be considered implementation-specific, but will generally at least include contact information for the member. Generally, larger amounts of data improve the ability of the system to certify the member, customize the member experience, or the like. Businesses will often have a great deal of information about employees, while non-business concerns will typically have less. Where the social network includes a market-place, member data can also include financial information, such as credit card numbers or other commerce-related data. 
         [0112]    The contact information input engine  114  is configured to facilitate input of contact information of a member, receive input of the contact information, or in some other manner obtain and store the contact information in the content sources datastore  116 . The contact information input engine  114  can facilitate input of contact information from a member (e.g., a member using one of the client devices  106 ), from a systems administrator (e.g., through an input device or from one of the client devices  106 ), or from some other human or artificial agent. The format of the contact information can be considered implementation-specific. Examples include an Outlook address book, a comma-delimited list, a Facebook friends list, or some other applicable format. The contact information input engine  114  can, depending upon the implementation, obtain contact information in an identified location, accept manual input, or accept the contact information in some other applicable manner. 
         [0113]    Some contact information input by a first member might be contact information of a second member. A physical delineation between the members datastore  112  and the content sources datastore  116  is not critical, and the contact information for members could be stored in the same physical datastore as the contact information for non-members. For illustrative purposes, the content sources datastore  116  is generally treated as a repository for all contact information of contacts for each user and other sources of messages (or, more generally, content), while the members datastore  112  is generally treated as a repository of member-specific information (provided by the member or input by a systems administrator) excluding the content sources. To the extent there is overlap, the discussions in this paper can appear to suggest logical redundancy of, for example, an email address of a second member that is part of the members datastore  112  and the same email address that a first member provides as contact information stored in the content sources datastore  116 , but storage of the data may or may not be physically redundant. It may be noted that “member information” can include both data from the members datastore  112  for the member, and data in the content sources datastore  116  for, e.g., contacts of the member. Where a distinction is desired, the member information can be referred to explicitly as, for example, “member registration data” and “member contacts data.” 
         [0114]    Although the example described with reference to  FIG. 1  primarily focuses on contact information as content sources, other content sources can be used. For example, a member could indicate a blog is a trusted content source. The treatment of such a content source may vary depending upon the system. For example, in a corporate environment, certain sources of information may be particularly relevant to a group of members; so such information might be stored in the reciprocated trust folders of a group. As another example, a member may have a personal blog, and the blog could be treated as one type of allowable input to a reciprocated trust folder in which the member is a participant. In general, content sources will generally need to be incorporated into a member identity because the social network associated with the trusted network server  104  is a network of members, but the definition of a member can vary depending upon the implementation- or configuration-specific constraints put on a system. It is expected that in many cases, an email address will be an acceptable content source for a particular member, but a decision regarding whether, e.g., an RSS feed, is an acceptable content source for a particular member might vary depending upon the deciding party. 
         [0115]    It should be noted that there can be a hierarchy of membership, as well. For example, a three-level hierarchy could include members, trusted sources, and non-trusted sources. If a member vouches for a content source, it can be treated as a trusted source without the content source becoming a part of the member&#39;s identity. Other members, a systems administrator, or some other relevant party can decide whether the content source is trusted, as well. A reciprocated trust folder for members that all trust a content source could, if properly implemented and/or configured, store content for the content source. 
         [0116]    The one-way trust list creation engine  118  is configured to identify contacts for which trust exists, create a list of the trusted contacts, and store the list of trusted contacts in the one-way trust lists datastore  120 . The trust is “one-way” because members are not normally capable of forcing other members to trust them. (As is discussed elsewhere in this paper, in certain cases, trust may be assumed, such as trust for a boss member by employee members.) The format of the one-way trust list can be considered implementation-specific. In one implementation, the one-way trust list is a list of addresses from which messages are receivable. If an address is not on the list, any messages are not delivered (or are directed to some location other than the applicable inbox). In a specific implementation, each contact of a member is stored as a record, and the contacts are approved by indicating as much in a trust field of the record associated with the contact. Depending upon the implementation, all or a subset of the addresses of the contact can be approved (e.g., either the contact has a single trust field that covers all addresses of the contact or one or more addresses of the contact have discrete trust fields). 
         [0117]    The reciprocated trust management engine  122  is configured to match a first member to a second member where the one-way trust list of the first member includes the second member and the one way trust list of the second member includes the first member, and create a private communication environment for the first member and the second member. When a match occurs, the second member has indicated a reciprocated trust for the first member (and vice versa). The reciprocated trust management engine  122  then manages a reciprocated trust folder for the first member and the second member. Any messages sent from the first member to the second member are stored in the reciprocated trust folders, as well as any attachments, documents, or other data that is sent to the private environment. The reciprocated trust folders are described in detail later. 
         [0118]    Messages and other data in a reciprocated trust folder can be treated as part of a master reciprocated trust folders datastore  124 . The folders are “centralized” in the sense that the data can be stored in a single location for all parties to the private environment. However, as is generally the case for datastores described in this paper, the data can actually be stored in a distributed fashion. In order to avoid confusion associated with the term “centralized storage,” the private repository is referred to as “master storage.” The parties to the private environment can delete or perhaps not even receive messages or data that is in the master storage, or can potentially have messages or data redundantly stored on client devices as well as in the master storage (assuming applicable hardware and an appropriate implementation and/or configuration). This organization has benefits, such as improved search, read notifications, etc., which are described later in this paper. 
         [0119]    The network interface  126  is coupled to the network  102 . The network interface  126  can facilitate appropriate connections to, e.g., the Internet, wireless networks, or the like. For illustrative simplicity, it is assumed that an application programming interface (API), if applicable, is part of the network interface  126 , and that an API could also be provided to a client or data device for implementation thereon. 
         [0120]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , the client devices  106  are coupled to the network  102 . The client devices can include applicable portable or non-portable electronic hardware devices, such as smart phones, desktop computers, a device that can use 802.11, 3G, Wi-Max and/or another known or convenient wireless protocol, or the like. The client devices  106 , or a subset thereof, may or may not be capable of carrying out certain functionality that has been attributed to the server  104 . For example, one or more of the client devices  106  may or may not be capable of maintaining a contact information datastore and generating a one-way trust list therefrom. In an implementation in which one or more of the client devices  106  include such functionality, the server may or may not be redundantly capable of receiving contact information and creating one-way trust lists therefrom, but in any case will in addition be capable of receiving one-way trust lists from the client devices  106  in order to be able to identify reciprocated trust. 
         [0121]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , the data devices  108  are coupled to the network  102 . The data devices  108  are intended to illustrate that the server  104  can optionally store some or all of the contents of the various datastores at a remote location (e.g., in the cloud or in a third party repository). Where the datastores are maintained within a network maintained by an entity (e.g., a private network), the data devices  108  are not necessary. Where a datastore is maintained in a remote location, unless indicated by the context, the “datastore” will include only the data that is currently stored within the network maintained by the entity in question, which will be a subset of the “distributed datastore.” If it is desirable to refer to a datastore that is maintained at the data devices  108 , reference to the data devices  108  will be explicit (or the datastore will explicitly be referred to as a “distributed datastore”) unless the intention is sufficiently clear from the context. 
         [0122]    The system  200  can be combined with other similar systems to create trusted social network silos. Alternatively, the system  200  can be combined with other similar systems to create a trusted social network hierarchy. 
         [0123]      FIG. 2  depicts an example of a system  200  having a trusted social network hierarchy. The system  200  includes a trusted social supernetwork  202 , a trusted social network aggregation engine  204 , trusted social subnetworks  206 - 1  to  206 -N (referred to collectively as the trusted social subnetworks  206 ), and devices  208 - 1  to  208 -N (referred to collectively as the devices  208 ). The combination of the supernetwork  202  and the subnetworks  206  can be referred to as “a hierarchical trusted social network.” The term “trusted social network” can include both hierarchical and non-hierarchical trusted social networks, and where context does not make the distinction relevant, one or the other term can be used to explicitly refer to one or the other type of trusted social network. 
         [0124]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , the trusted social supernetwork  202  can be associated with a trusted social network server, such as the trusted social network server  104  depicted in the example of  FIG. 1 . The trusted social supernetwork  202  can, in addition, have an associated trusted social network aggregation engine  204 . The trusted social network aggregation engine  204  aggregates social networks and at least in part incorporates the social networks into the trusted social supernetwork  202 . In this way, the trusted social subnetworks  206  can have distinct subnetwork memberships, and the members of the trusted social subnetworks  206  will also be members of the trusted social network comprising the trusted social supernetwork  202 . The trusted social subnetworks  206  can support devices  208  of subnetwork members and, depending upon the implementation and/or configuration, the devices  208  can themselves be associated with sub-subnetworks (not shown in the example of  FIG. 2 ). Thus, the trusted social network hierarchy can have an arbitrarily large number of hierarchical levels. A trusted social subnetwork of the trusted social subnetworks  206  can have a trusted social network aggregation engine (not shown in the example of  FIG. 2 ), or the trusted social network aggregation engine  204  can instead be responsible for aggregating sub-subnetworks of the trusted social subnetworks  206 . 
         [0125]    In a specific implementation, the trusted social network  202  can be managed by a first private party, such as a social network provider. The trusted social subnetworks are initially individual networks managed by second private parties, such as corporate entities. The trusted social network aggregation engine  204  can add the individual networks to the social network by an automated procedure and/or in accordance with an agreement with the second private parties. When the trusted social subnetworks  206  become part of the hierarchical trusted social network, the members of the trusted social subnetworks  206  can become members of the trusted social supernetwork  202 . Administrative controls or member settings can control the degree to which members of the trusted social supernetwork  202  are trusted by members of the various trusted social subnetworks  206 , and it is expected that certain second private parties will desire to treat members of other trusted social subnetworks as potential security risks (e.g., a first company will likely trust its own employee members, but is not necessarily going to trust employee members of a second company to the same degree). However, it may still be useful to a first of the second private parties to know that a second of the second private parties have members that are certified, authenticated, or otherwise vetted in accordance with the member registration procedures of the trusted social network. 
         [0126]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of a trust reciprocation system  300 . The system  300  includes a trusted social network server  302 , a trusted party device  310 , and a second member device  316 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the trusted social network server  302  includes a trusted party identification engine  304 , a members datastore  306 , a social network invitation engine  308 , a member registration engine  312 , a reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314 , a reciprocated trust management engine  318 , and a master reciprocated trust folders datastore  320 . The trusted party device  310  and the second member device  316  may or may not be the same device. 
         [0127]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the trusted party identification engine  304  receives first member one-way trust list data. The first member one-way trust list data can include data sufficient to identify a party (referred to alternatively in this example as a “trusted party” and a “second member”) as trusted by the first member. In a specific implementation, the first member one-way trust list data is derived from a one-way trust list of the first member, a portion of the one-way trust list of the first member, a master list of trusted parties, or some other applicable listing of parties that the first member, or members of a group of which the first member is a part, have indicated or are presumed to trust. 
         [0128]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the trusted party identification engine  304  may be unable to determine that the party that the first member has indicated is trusted is a member of the social network associated with the trusted social network server  302 . If the trusted party cannot be identified in the members datastore  306 , which for illustrative purposes is assumed to include data sufficient to identify each member of the social network, the trusted party is presumed to be a non-member. In this case, the social network invitation engine  308  sends an invitation to a trusted party device  310 . In a specific implementation, the social network invitation engine  308  uses the first member one-way trust list data or contact information derived therefrom to send the invitation to the trusted party (e.g., an email message) that the trusted party can access through, typically, one of many devices (e.g., a smart phone or a web browser on a home desktop or work computer). The precise contact information used (e.g., email, phone number, etc.) and the precise identity of the trusted party device  310  are generally implementation- and/or configuration-specific. 
         [0129]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the social network invitation engine  308  receives an acceptance from the trusted third party device  310  to join the social network. It should be noted that just as the trusted party can receive the invitation on, often, more than one device, the trusted party can indicate an acceptance of the invitation on more than one device, and the device at which the invitation is received and the device from which acceptance is indicated are probably, but not necessarily, the same device. (E.g., a user could receive an SMS message on a smart phone and type an email on a desktop that indicates acceptance.) In some cases, the invitation will be received on more than one device (e.g., the invitation is received on a work computer through a browser, but the user waits until returning home to access the invitation through a browser on a home computer, at which time the user indicates acceptance of the invitation). 
         [0130]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , when the social network invitation engine  308  receives an indication that the trusted party has accepted the invitation to join the social network, the member registration engine  312  registers the trusted party as a member, and can store information associated with the trusted party (the “second member”) in the members datastore  306 . 
         [0131]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314  attempts to determine whether the second member also trusts the first member. If the trusted party was not initially a member, the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314  can attempt to determine whether the second member trusts the first member after the trusted party has been registered. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314  provides a confirmation message to the second member device  316 . The second member device  316  may or may not be the same as the trusted party device  310 . Because more information is generally known about the second member after registration than before, the confirmation message could be provided through a channel that was not available to the social network invitation engine  308  (e.g., the trusted party could have been identified by a phone number, and during registration the trusted party indicated a preferred email address). Members could also be provided a social network address through which communications are directed to members (e.g., members of the social network could be given new email addresses within a domain associated with the social network, such as a business email address). It may be noted that the confirmation message may or may not be provided in the same message as the invitation message, facilitating a single transaction in which the trusted party can register as the second member and confirm that the first member is trusted. In any case, the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314  receives second member one-way trust list data sufficient to identify the first member as trusted by the second member. (It is assumed for illustrative purposes that the second member so indicates, though it is also possible for the second member to not so indicate, resulting in a lack of reciprocal trust.) The second member one-way trust list data can include an indication that the second member trusts the first member, or it could have the same characteristics as the first member one-way trust list data as described above, but for the second member instead of the first member. Because the example of  FIG. 3  illustrates an example in which the first member is a known member of the social network, it is not necessary for the trusted social network server  302  to identify the first member (though an identification process could be included in certain implementations), and the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314  can determine that the first member trusts the second member (as was previously determined from the first member one-way trust list data in this example) and the second member trusts the first member (as was determined from the second member one-way trust list data). 
         [0132]    In some instances, the trusted party can be identified as a member (“the second member”) of the social network by the trusted party identification engine  304 . In such instances, the social network invitation engine  308  and the member registration engine  312  can be skipped, as is represented in the example of  FIG. 3  by the dotted arrow from the trusted party identification engine  304  to the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314 . It need not be the case that a confirmation message is generated for the second member (e.g., the reciprocal trust could be established automatically when both the first member and the second member indicate reciprocal trust without informing the first member and the second member). In a specific implementation, the reciprocal trust confirmation engine requests confirmation from the second member that the first member is reciprocally trusted, and obtains second member one-way trust list data, for example, as was described previously. 
         [0133]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , when reciprocal trust between the first member and the second member has been confirmed, the reciprocated trust management engine  218  creates a private communication environment for the first member and the second member, which may be referred to in this paper as a “folder.” For illustrative purposes, the folder is maintained in the master reciprocated trust folders datastore  320 . 
         [0134]    Alternatively, if the second member was identified as a member by the trusted party identification engine  304 , the social network invitation engine  308  and the member registration engine  312  can be bypassed, which is represented in  FIG. 3  as the dashed arrow from the trusted party identification engine  304  to the reciprocal trust confirmation engine  314 . 
         [0135]      FIG. 4  depicts an example of a system  400  including trust folders. The system  400  includes a trusted social network server  402 , a content source  408 , and a first member device  414 . The trusted social network server  402  includes a trust folder creation engine  404 , a trust folders datastore  406 , a trusted source identification engine  410 , a bulk incoming datastore  412 , a trusted destination identification engine  416 , and a bulk outgoing datastore  418 . 
         [0136]    In the example of  FIG. 4 , the trust folder creation engine  404  creates a folder for a first member in accordance with a first member one-way trust list. In a specific embodiment, the trust folder creation engine  404  creates a folder for each content source in the first member one-way trust list. That is, for each content source that the first member identifies as trusted, the trust folder creation engine creates a trust folder, which is maintained in the trust folders datastore  406 . 
         [0137]    In the example of  FIG. 4 , an incoming content scenario is conceptually correlated to the dotted box  420 . In the incoming content scenario, the trusted source identification engine  410  receives content from the content source  408 . If the content source  408  is identifiable as being represented in the first member one-way trust list, then the trust folder creation engine  404  will have created a trust folder associated with the content source  408  into which the content from the content source  408  is stored (i.e., the content is stored in the trust folders datastore  406 ). If, on the other hand, the content source  408  is not identifiable as being represented in the first member one-way trust list, then the trust folder creation engine  404  will not have created a trust folder associated with the content source  408 , and the content is instead stored in the bulk incoming datastore  412 . It should be noted that for the purpose of this example, if an administrator has indicated that the content source  408  is constructively trusted by the first member, the content source  408  is treated as identifiable in the first member one-way trust list. It should be further noted that the content source  408  can be associated with a member or a non-member, and in the case of a non-member, the content source  408  can be associated with an entity that is capable of becoming a member (e.g., a human or artificial entity) or a content source that cannot be made a member (e.g., an RSS feed). In alternative implementations, the bulk incoming datastore  412  can be, for example, treated much like a junk mail folder (or a standard email inbox where trusted content is stored in the trust folders), temporary (e.g., while a member transitions into a social network, but before the member has had a chance to update the first member one-way trust list with trusted content sources), or automatically deleted (e.g., in accordance with rules in a corporate network in which only trusted sources of content are accepted). 
         [0138]    In the example of  FIG. 4 , an outgoing content scenario is conceptually correlated to the dotted box  422 . In the outgoing content scenario, the trusted destination identification engine  416  receives content from the first member device  414 . If the destination is identifiable as being represented in the first member one-way trust list, then the trust folder creation engine  404  will have created a trust folder associated with the destination into which the content from the first member is stored (i.e., the content is stored in the trust folders datastore  406 ). If, on the other hand, the destination is not identifiable as being represented in the first member one-way trust list, then the trust folder creation engine  404  will not have created a trust folder associated with the destination, and the content is instead stored in the bulk outgoing datastore  418 . It should be noted that the destination is identified in the first member one-way trust list as a trusted source (not necessarily as a trusted destination). However, content from the first member that is directed to the destination will be stored in the same trust folder (or perhaps in an associated folder) as the trusted content source. This will enable the first member to manage all incoming and outgoing content associated with the trusted source in a master location. 
         [0139]    The trust folders described in association with the example of  FIG. 4  may or may not be reciprocated trust folders. If a second member who is a trusted content source of the first member indicates that the first member is a trusted content source, the trust folder of the first member can be converted into a reciprocated trust folder to which both the first member and the second member have access. It may or may not be the case that historical data (prior to the second member indicating reciprocal trust) is made available to both the first member and the second member through the reciprocated trust folder. For example, a new member to a trust folder might be granted access to content timestamped on or after the new member became part of the group associated with the trust folder, and access to older content may or may not be granted on a case-by-case basis that can be considered implementation- and/or configuration-specific. 
         [0140]    In a specific implementation, a member will have the ability to modify the contents, format, and other characteristics of the member&#39;s trust folders, but trusted content sources will not have the same control over the trust folder unless the trust folder is converted to a reciprocal trust folder. Until the trust folder is converted, content sources may only have the ability to send content, such as messages. 
         [0141]      FIG. 5  depicts an example of a system  500  for controlling access to a trust folder. The system  500  includes a trusted social network server  502 , a trusted content source  504 , and a group member device  510 . The trusted social network server  502  includes a content management engine  506 , a trust folders datastore  508 , an access control engine  512 , and an access control settings datastore  514 . 
         [0142]    In the example of  FIG. 5 , an incoming content scenario is conceptually correlated to the dotted box  516 . In the incoming content scenario, the content management engine  506  receives content from the trusted content source  504 . In a specific implementation, the content management engine  506  includes a trusted source identification engine, such as the trusted source identification engine  410  ( FIG. 4 ). In another specific implementation, the content management engine  506  includes a trusted destination identification engine, such as the trusted destination identification engine  416  ( FIG. 4 ). For illustrative purposes, since the content source from which the content is received is presumed to be trusted, the content management engine  506  puts the content in a trust folder of the trust folders datastore  508 . In a specific implementation, the content management engine can include a content blocking rule sliding scale ranging from blocking no content sources to blocking all content sources that are not identifiable from the first one-way trust list. 
         [0143]    In the example of  FIG. 5 , a content access request scenario is conceptually correlated to the dotted box  518 . In the content access request scenario, the access control engine  512  receives a request for content from a group member device  510 . For illustrative purposes, the request is presumed to come from a group member of the relevant trust folder. The access control engine  512  checks access control settings in the access control settings datastore  514  for the group member, which presumably means the group member is granted access to the trust folder. Accordingly, the access control engine  512  enables access to the content. If a request was from a member who did not have access rights, the access control engine  512  would instead deny the request. In a specific implementation, the request may or may not be explicit in the sense that a member can see folders to which the member has access, but cannot see folders to which the member does not have access. In such an implementation, the request for content can be considered part of the transaction that involves, e.g., opening content that is visible to the member. In a specific implementation, different group members may or may not have different access rights for certain content. For example, one group member might have read-only access to some or all content in a trust folder or the access control settings could implement document versioning controls to grant read/write access to a first member who opens content, but read-only access to a second member who opens the same content. Access control settings can also be constrained by parameters, such as time, file type, author, etc. For example, a content source could send a message that must be read within 24 hours or the message is no longer available for viewing (an example of a time-constrained access control), or some or all contents of a trust folder might only be accessible during normal business hours (another example of a time-constrained access control), or only authors of content can open the content in read/write mode (an example of a file characteristic-constrained access control). 
         [0144]    In the example of  FIG. 5 , the access control engine  512  can also facilitate modification of access control settings in the access control settings datastore  514 . A group member associated with a trust folder may be given access to a user interface or instructions could be provided through other means (e.g., by sending an email message to a system mailbox with control parameters in the message). Systems administrators may also be able to adjust access control settings using the access control engine  512 . 
         [0145]    Advantageously, the access control engine  512  can include an access certification engine that indicates when a member of a group has received a message in the trust folder. Access certification is enabled by master storage of the contents of the trust folder, and a need for members to access content from the master storage. (Depending upon access control rules, it may or may not be possible to copy content to a location outside of master storage, as well.) The system may or may not require that a member enter a password or some other identifying information before opening certain content to ensure that the member has indeed opened the content, rather like a user must sign for certified mail before receiving the certified mail. 
         [0146]    In the example of  FIG. 5 , the access control engine  512  can control access by group members to content in the applicable trust folder. For example, a member may have read and write permissions to content, but still not be allowed to forward the content to an untrusted destination. Since messages between group members are content, this can include prohibiting group members from cc&#39;ing untrusted destinations, because that would entail sending content (the message) to a non-group member. Access control could also take the form of alerts. For example, if a first group member sends a message to the group and cc&#39;s a non-group member, the first group member could receive a warning that the message is being sent to a non-group member, giving the first group member the opportunity to reconsider. Communications to non-group members could also involve heightened security processes, such as requiring metadata cleaning, preventing the sending of certain types of content, limiting the size of the content, restricting the times when the content can be sent, or the like. 
         [0147]      FIG. 6  depicts an example of a system  600  capable of forwarding content to and receiving replies from a destination that does not have access to a trust folder. The system  600  includes a trusted social network server  602 , a group member device  604 , and a non-group member device  610 . The trusted social network server  602  includes a content management engine  606  and a trust folders datastore  608 . 
         [0148]    In the example of  FIG. 6 , the content management engine  606  receives content from a group member device  604 , which it puts in the trust folder of the trust folders data store  608  that is associated with the applicable group. For illustrative purposes, it is assumed that the content includes both the group as a destination and another destination that is not associated with a group member. For example, a corporate team may be working with a third party contractor who is not granted access to the contents of the trust folder for the group, but is involved in certain aspects of a project. In the example of  FIG. 6 , the content from a group member is put in the trust folder for the group, but since non-group members do not have access to the trust group, the content is also forwarded to the non-group member for receipt at the non-group member device  610 . 
         [0149]    Continuing the example of  FIG. 6 , the non-group member to which content was forwarded may reply to a forwarded message. In a specific implementation, the content management engine  606  can use message characteristics, such as knowledge that content put in a trust folder was forwarded to a destination that is identified as the source of the reply message, to determine that the reply should be put in the same trust folder. In this way, communications that extend to parties that are outside of a group can be managed in the relevant master location. 
         [0150]      FIG. 7  depicts an example of a system  700  for determining and indicating a global trust level for a member of a trusted social network. The system  700  includes a trusted social network server  702 , a first member device  704 , a second member device  718 , and a third member device  722 . The trusted social network server  702  includes a member certification engine  706 , a global trust level datastore  708 , a members datastore  710 , a member monitoring engine  712 , a member ranking engine  714 , a member rating engine  716 , and a global trust level indication engine  720 . 
         [0151]    In the example of  FIG. 7 , the member certification engine  706  receives data from the first member device  704 . The data can be in association with a registration procedure during which a party becomes a member of a social network associated with the trusted social network server  702 . The member certification engine  706  can use techniques such as authentication (e.g., setting and requiring use of a password by the first member, determining answers to security questions that must at times be answered by the first member), device validation, a certification authority, or the like to ensure that first member activities can be properly attributed to the first member. The member certification engine  706  can also verify email addresses, request data (in general, the more data, such as home address, phone number, credit card number, etc., the stronger the certification can be). In general, the amount and quality of data that can be received from the first member device  704  is at least in part determinative of the global trust level that is stored in the global trust level datastore  708  for the first user. Some or all of the data can also be stored in the members datastore  710  and, depending upon the implementation, an increase in the amount or quality of the data may result in the member certification engine  706  reevaluating the base global trust level for the first member. 
         [0152]    In the example of  FIG. 7 , the member monitoring engine  712  monitors activity associated with the first member. Such activity can include the number of members that trust the first member, the number of invitations the first member sent to other parties, the number of rejections of the first member&#39;s invitations, or the like. In general, if there are many members that trust the first member, the first member sends relatively few invitations, and the first member receives relatively few rejections, the member ranking engine  714  will increase the global trust level of the first member in the global trust level datastore  708 . Conversely, if there are few members that trust the first member, the first member sends excessive numbers of invites (which may be characteristic of a spammer), and the first member invitations are frequently rejected (which may also be characteristic of a spammer), the member ranking engine  714  may decrease the global trust level of the first member in the global trust level datastore  708 . 
         [0153]    In the example of  FIG. 7 , the member rating engine  716  can receive an explicit trust ranking of the first member from the second member device  718 . High explicit trust ratings from other members can cause the member rating engine  716  to increase the global trust level of the first member in the global trust level datastore  708 , while low explicit trust ratings from the other members can cause the member rating engine  716  to decrease the global trust level of the first member in the global trust level datastore  708 . 
         [0154]    In the example of  FIG. 7 , the global trust level indication engine  720  can provide an indication of the global trust level of the first member to a third member device  722 . This can assist the third member in a determination whether to trust the first member. In a specific implementation, a global trust level indicator is provided in association with the first member when the first member&#39;s profile is viewed. Alternatively, the global trust level of members can be indicated next to usernames for members (or other readily apparent locations) if it is desirable to make the global trust level more ubiquitous. 
         [0155]      FIG. 8  depicts a flowchart  800  of an example of a method for maintaining a trust folder. This method and other methods are depicted as serially arranged modules. However, modules of the methods may be reordered, or arranged for parallel execution as appropriate. In the example of  FIG. 8 , the flowchart  800  starts at module  802  with registering a member. Member registration can include member certification to establish an initial global trust level for the new member, based upon the perceived effectiveness of the data provided by the member, or otherwise collected, to identify the member as who the member purports to be. In a specific implementation, a systems administrator may register members using, for example, employee data. 
         [0156]    In the example of  FIG. 8 , the flowchart  800  continues to optional module  804  with receiving a subscription to a theme from the member. A theme is a social network to which the member is allowed to subscribe. Where multiple social networks are available, the multiple social networks can be referred to as “themes” in accordance with the terminology of a particular reduction to practice. Registration can entitle a member to certain theme subscriptions. Registration and subscription to a theme can, in an alternative, be accomplished in a single subscription transaction. In a specific implementation, themes can represent departments or teams within an enterprise, and subscriptions may or may not be done on behalf of members by systems administrators or managers. 
         [0157]    Upon registration, a member could receive a screen shot similar to that provided by way of example and not limitation in  FIG. 9 . The screen shot  900  of  FIG. 9  is a simple congratulatory message that might be appropriate for a small hand-held device such as an iphone following subscription to a theme. (In an implementation that does not include themes, the screen shot could be modified to refer to registration instead.) A different screen shot may be desirable in other cases, such as when the member registers using a desktop computer or when the member is automatically registered by a systems administrator. 
         [0158]    In the example of  FIG. 8 , the flowchart  800  continues to module  806  with receiving settings from the member. In some instances, a member may be required to provide at least some settings, while in others default settings may be provided. Members may or may not be required to provide new settings with each subscription to a theme. In a specific implementation, there are global member settings that are applicable across themes (provided when the member registers) and theme settings that must be set each time a member subscribes to a new theme. In another specific implementation, some or all of the settings are set on behalf of a member by a systems administrator. 
         [0159]    To facilitate receiving settings from the member, the member could receive a screen shot similar to that provided by way of example and not limitation in  FIG. 10 . The screen shot  1000  of  FIG. 10  is a simple settings list that might be appropriate for a small hand-held device. Screen shots  11 - 25  correspond to settings selections  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 ,  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016 , and  1018  of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0160]    When a current registered user registers to a new theme, then a new screen is presented to the user for option of transferring setting information, for example usage settings, myprilist, users blocked, and users and categories followed. See, e.g.,  FIG. 11 . If a current registered user is subscribing to a new Theme, they are first directed to this page. Here a member has the option to copy some items from the previously registered Theme, for example USER SETTINGS and USAGE SETTINGS as well as merge PERSONAL FOLDER, MYPRILIST, BLOCK USER list, and FOLLOW USER list from one of the previously setup Themes. 
         [0161]    If user is not interested in copying any settings from another Theme, user can select NO on any of the options and enter a new USERID and new EMAIL. If user is going to use the previously registered Theme to setup their new Theme, then user first selects the Theme that they will use to copy from the pulldown menu, then select YES or NO on and of the options and then click MERGE NOW. 
         [0162]    IMPORTANT NOTE: If user continues to use an existing USERID and EMAIL, user will continue accruing credits combined from all those Themes using the same userid and email, and the USER RATING and RANKING will also be shared. If user creates a new USERID and EMAIL, then credits for the new Theme and rating and ranking for this user will start from scratch.
       USER RULES AND GUIDELINES  1002 : This screen provides the description of the rules and guidelines for all members and the terms of use. In a specific implementation, members must accept the agreement by clicking on a check box. In such an implementation, if the rules and guidelines are not accepted, a user cannot become a member. See, e.g.,  FIG. 12 .   USER TUTORIALS  1004 : User guidelines, tips, examples.   USER SETTINGS  1006 : This screen allows you to enter general user information. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 13 and 14 .   USAGE SETTINGS  1008 : This screen allows you to set preferences. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Default home page can be set to the five main folders described in many of the examples in this paper, Categories, Top Articles, Favorites, Personal, or Search. Display status enables members or administrators to display or hide content that has a certain status, such as new, not read, read, favorite, or don&#39;t display. In an embodiment in which a member is not “always on” it can be desirable to enable the member to select data sync frequency (e.g., every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or manually). Default line display is a relatively simple display configuration, which is representative of display configurations.       
 
         [0167]    On this screen you need to make a decision on one of the important question about private messages. You have the option to select No Private, meaning no private messages are allowed to your INBOX, Open to Everyone (which is the default setting), meaning any user can send you a private message, or My Private List Only, meaning you create a Private List using the LIST BUILDER, which limits the private messages to those userids included in the Private List. You can block any user sending you a private message. 
         [0168]    In the My Private List Members, you can include the USERIDs, EMAIL addresses, and DOMAIN LIST. In order for anyone to send you private message, they have to be subscriber to the Theme. However, if you do not know their userid, but their email address that they have used to subscribe to the Theme, you can enter the EMAIL and the system will crosscheck and include those users as part of your MYPRILIST. In addition, you can allow a domain list to send you a private message by entering, for example, company.com. In this case, any user with a subscription email company.com will be able to send a private message to you. You can take notes here regarding your MYPRILIST to remind yourself actions you have taken or need to take.
       ALERT SETTINGS  1010 : This screen allows you to set alerts when there is a posting in a given category or there is a posting by a user. See, e.g.,  FIG. 17 . A member can set alerts and follow activities in categories or activities by a content source. If the member is interested in following a category of a content source, the first option in this example is to decide receiving alerts any day of the week or just specific days. The member selects a first alert by clicking, which highlights the alert. Then, the member selects a Category within the CATEGORY box, or selects ALL and a content source within the USERID box, or selects ALL. Here are some sample combinations:       
 
         [0170]    CATEGORY USERID KEYWORD COMMENTS: ALL USERID1 Following all activities of USERID1 in all categories; CATEGORY1 ALL Following all activities in CATEGORY1 for all users. 
         [0171]    CATEGORY USERID KEYWORD COMMENTS: CATEGORY2 USERID2 Following all activities of USERID2 in CATEGORY2; ALL ALL KEYWORD Following keyword in all categories; CATEGORY1 ALL KEYWORD Following keyword in CATEGORY1. 
         [0172]    The member can also receive an alert whenever a message comes to the INBOX of the member. The member can turn ON or OFF the following options: 
         [0173]    SOUND: Receive an audio alarm 
         [0174]    VISUAL: Receive a visual alarm 
         [0175]    PRI: Receive a personal message in your INBOX 
         [0176]    If you click on FOLLOW CAT or FOLLOW USER button in another page, clicking CLOSE will take you back to the page you came from.
       EARN CREDITS  1012 : Explanation of how users can earn credits. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 18-23 .       
 
         [0178]    REFER A FRIEND: You will fill out a form to send us the contact information of the person you would like to refer to us as a potential subscriber to our Application and this Theme. We will inform that you have referred them to us. 
         [0179]    TELL A FRIEND: You will fill out a form to send directly to your contact person you would like to refer as a potential subscriber to our Application and this Theme. 
         [0180]    MAKE SUGGESTIONS: We welcome your suggestions to improve our Application and service. Even if it was an idea that was suggested by another user, we still give you a credit for taking the effort, and we appreciate that. 
         [0181]    REPORT PROBLEMS: We welcome any problems you can report to us so that we can continue providing an exceptional service to all of our subscribers. You can also earn credits by POSTING/REPLYING articles to Non-Private categories such as PUBLIC (PUB) and Non-Personal (NP) categories. For example, by posting and replying to articles/messages for PRI and MPRI class categories you will not earn credits. Furthermore, you can earn more credits by creating new CATEGORIES, Private or Public. You can create a category within the PERSONAL Main Screen. However, in order to earn your credit, you need to invite at least one person to this category. In fact, the more people you invite the more credit you will earn. Please note that an author of a new Category must create the first article like an Introduction to the Category so that other users who might be interested in participating know the purpose and boundaries of the category. 
         [0182]    You automatically earn credits by subscribing to Themes directly through payments. 
         [0183]    You can use these credits toward the subscription of other Themes.
       SPONSOR SETTINGS  1014 : Explanation of how users can earn credits by receiving and reading advertisements from sponsors. On this screen, user can turn on accepting advertisements from sponsors and earn credits. User can set the maximum number of daily advertisements that will be delivered to the INBOX. User can turn off receiving any advertisement by selecting NONE, or select MAX3, MAX5 or MAX10, indicating maximum of 3, 5, or 10 advertisements per day.       
 
         [0185]    In addition, user can disable a sponsor by clicking on DS column in the list below for that sponsor, indicating that user will not be delivered any advertisement from that sponsor. On the other hand, user can click on AF for a sponsor indicating that user would be interested in receiving advertisements specifically from this sponsor. 
         [0186]    Typically, user will be delivered private messages form sponsor based on their most active/participated categories. For example, if user selected to receive maximum of three messages, then the sponsors of the top three categories that the user is most active will be able to send messages to the user. Similarly, if user selected to receive maximum of five messages, then the sponsors of the top five categories that the user is most active will be able to send messages to the user. Incase where user has selected a sponsor as AF who is not one of the top category sponsors, then the last category sponsor is replaced by the sponsor AF selected by the user. Similarly, if user is selected a sponsor as DS who is one of the top category sponsors, then the DS sponsor will be replaced by the next most active category sponsor. 
         [0187]    Complete list of all Sponsors in this Theme are listed on this screen. User can review the list and click on SPONSOR NAME, USERID or CAT to get more information about the sponsor, the user representing the sponsor and the category being sponsored.
       MY STATISTICS  1016 : Statistics about the user and usage. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 24 and 25 .   VERSION  1018 : Information about the version of the software being used on a particular electronic hardware device.       
 
         [0190]    In the example of  FIG. 8 , the flowchart  800  continues to module  808  with creating a personal folder for the member. In a specific implementation, a personal folder is one of multiple top-level user interface folders.  FIG. 26  depicts an example of multiple user interface folders, including a personal folder. 
         [0191]    In the example of  FIG. 8 , the flowchart  800  continues to decision point  810  where it is determined whether an administrator will indicate that content sources are constructively trusted by the member. If it is determine that an administrator will not indicate that content sources are constructively trusted by the member ( 810 -N), then the flowchart  800  continues to module  812  with maintaining in the personal folder trust folders for each trusted content source of the member. If, on the other hand, it is determined that an administrator will indicate that content sources are constructively trusted by the member ( 810 -Y), then the flowchart  800  continues to module  814  with receiving constructively trusted content sources from the administrator and then to module  812  as was just described (where trusted content sources of the member include explicitly and constructively trusted content sources). 
         [0192]      FIG. 27  depicts a flowchart  2700  of an example of a method for general navigation in a trusted social network structure. In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  starts at module  2702  with displaying a start page. The top level screen can include, for example, userid and password fields (potentially with an indication of new articles, articles not read, total articles, and alerts for the member), though passwords may or may not be needed in some implementations. The user may also be given the option of selecting whether to sync at login.  FIG. 28  depicts a conceptual diagram  2800  of a screen shot at a top level of a social network structure. In the example of  FIG. 28 , the examples of fields just mentioned are illustrated. 
         [0193]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to optional module  2704  with selecting a theme. Since themes are optional, selecting a theme may not be an option. In the example of  FIG. 28 , two themes are “registered” (subscribed for) and two available themes are not registered. It may or may not be possible to select new themes in certain environments even where multiple themes are available (e.g., if a systems administrator assigns themes to members). In a system in which members have to pay for certain themes, members can use earned credits in lieu of cash payment. 
         [0194]    In the example of  FIG. 28 , users can access a start page through portable or non-portable electronic hardware devices. Registered members, when they click on a Theme, are taken to the appropriate home page that displays, for example a Categories list, Articles list, and individual Articles. When a member clicks a Theme that they have not registered yet, the member will be taken to a new page for information about the Theme as well as registration information. In the example of  FIG. 28 , each Theme has numbers on the corners of a display window, which gives additional information about the specific Theme. The registered themes, for example display new articles, not read articles, total articles, and any alerts that user may have setup. For the Themes not yet subscribed, total user, total categories, total articles and the credits required for subscription to the Theme are displayed. 
         [0195]    Referring once again to the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2706  with selecting a main page. The main pages described in this example are a categories main page, a top articles main page, a favorites main page, a personal main page and a search main page. In a specific implementation, the categories main screen can be a default home page, which assumes an initial “categories” determination at decision point  2708 . Depending upon the implementation, the home page can be changed to some other page (not shown). 
         [0196]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to decision point  2708  where it is determined whether the categories main page has been selected. If it is determined that the categories main page has been selected ( 2708 -Y), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2710  where the categories main page is displayed.  FIG. 29  depicts a conceptual diagram  2900  of a screen shot of an example of a categories main page. In the example of  FIG. 29 , a user can navigate to a start screen (see, e.g.,  FIG. 28 ) using the START arrow  2902  or to a settings screen (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 ) using the SETTINGS arrow  2904 . As with other screen shots illustrated by way of example in this paper, the theme name is shown at the top of every screen as “[THEME].” The square brackets in this context are intended to represent a blank that would have the actual name in a screen shot, assuming the screen shot is similar in this respect to the illustrated one. In the example of  FIG. 29 , categories in the theme are listed, with a default sorting based on rank. In a specific implementation, ranking a category involves calculating based on the ranking of each article within the category. Rankings for articles can be calculated based on statistics from member activity, which can be monitored on, e.g., a continuous, periodic, arbitrary, or occasional basis. Data collected in association with members can include, e.g., the number of times an article was read, ranked, commented on, responded to, shared, etc. and/or other statistics can be used to calculate the rating for each article. In a specific implementation, each column of the screen shot  2900  is sortable, e.g., numerically, alphabetically, alphanumerically, etc. from high to low or low to high. In the example of  FIG. 29 , the Date column indicates the creation date for the category; Rank indicates the number one (highest) ranked category; Cat. Name is the category name; Class can include, in a specific implementation, an indication that the entry is non-personal (NP), which can mean the entry was created by an entity other than the member, public (PUB), which can mean the entry was created by a member and can be viewed by any other member, and sponsor (SPO), which can mean the category has a sponsor; Status can indicate the number of read articles by the member versus total number of articles in that category; Cat. Type can include types such as, e.g., Instructional, Informational, Review/Analysis, Profile, Inspirational, Research, Opinion, Resource List, Tips, Advice, Best of List, Humor, Tutorial, interview, Survey, etc. (INSTRU, INFORM, REVIEW, PROFIL, INSPIRA, RESEAR, OPINION, RESOULT, TIPS, ADVICE, BESTLT, HUMOR, TUTOR, INTERV, SURVEY); Cat. Scope is a category scope that can include International (INT), National (NAT), State (STA), City (CITY) or the like; Rating indicates how other users rated this particular Category, which can be a reflection of, e.g., only those elected to rate the category; Scope Name can be included in the case of a Cat. Scope of NAT, STA, or CITY, in which case Scope Name can include more specific information. There are also two buttons, AF on left and DS on right for each category: AF represents an option to Add to Favorite, which, when selected, adds the category to your Favorites folder (though the category is not necessarily moved to the Favorites folder, but rather the selection enables easy access to this category from the Favorites folder, and the category remains in the Categories Main Screen and the AF button is highlighted for easy identification); and DS represents the option to Don&#39;t Show, which puts the category to the bottom of the categories list and dehighlights the category name so that it cannot be selected (in a specific implementation, when sorted by category name, those categories marked as DS will always show at the bottom). A member can scroll up or down through the categories by touching an appropriate location on the screen or by using other applicable navigation controls. It may be desirable to include a quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list by clicking on Top or Bottom, which are buttons located at the top of the screen. 
         [0197]    Referring once again to the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2712  with displaying a category page. (For illustrative expedience, it is assumed that a member selects a category from the categories main page.)  FIG. 30  depicts a conceptual diagram  3000  of a screen shot of an example of a category page. The structure of the category screen is similar to the main screen, where the main navigational buttons for CATEGORIES (C), TOP ARTICLES (T), FAVORITES (F), PERSONAL (P) and SEARCH (S) folders are found at the bottom of the screen. At the top of the screen you find Theme and Category names, as well as class, type, and scope of the [CATEGORY1]. Rating information about this category is displayed along with a button to rate it. The arrows at the top of the screen are used for navigating back to the Categories Main screen (see, e.g.,  FIG. 29 ) or to the SETTINGS screen (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 ). You can rate [CATEGORY1] by clicking the RATE button. Below this button is the current rating for this category. You can set an alert to follow members of or a specific member of this category by clicking the FOLLOW button. Below this button are the statistics about how many members are following this category through setting alerts and the total number of members participating either by reading or by posting. The POST NEW button enables user to post an article to the Category. In a specific implementation, each column is sortable numerically, alphabetically, or alphanumerically, high to low or low to high. Here are brief description for each column: Date indicates the creation date for the Article; Rank indicates the rank of the article; From indicates who posted the article; Art. Name is the name or subject of the article; Status can indicate whether the article is New (N), Not Read (NR), Read (R), Favorite (F), Don&#39;t Show (DS), and the status of the article can change over time; Rating indicates how other users rated this particular article. (Rating can be a reflection of only those elected to rate the article.) User can scroll up or down through the list of articles by using an applicable navigation control. Also, there is a quick access to the top of the list or the bottom of the list by clicking the TOP or BOTTOM button. 
         [0198]    Referring once again to the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2714  with displaying an article page. (For illustrative expedience, it is assumed that a member selects an article from the category page.)  FIG. 31  depicts a conceptual diagram  3100  of a screen shot of an example of an article page. At top of the screen you find Theme, Category and Article names, as well as class, type, and scope. Rating information about this article as well as a button to rate it is provided at the top of the page. Rating may or may not be a reflection of only those elected to rate the article. The arrows at the top are for navigating back to the Category page (see, e.g.,  FIG. 30 ) or to a SHARE page. Using Share will allow you to send the article to another person using email, text message, share it with facebook or twitter, or the like. Here are brief description for each column: ID is a unique number for the article which can be used for searching or reporting purposes; Date/time indicates the creation date and time for the Article; Rank indicates the rank of the article relative to other articles; From identifies the user who posted the article. The SUBJECT button allows you to choose a subject (which can be preselected) for the article. The RATE MEMBER button allows you to rate the user who posted the article. The FOLLOW MEMBER button allows you to follow the user who posted the article (for all categories or a subset thereof). Below the Article, you will find a Next and Previous navigational arrow. The Next arrow will display the next article in the article list for the category, whereas the Previous arrow will display the previous article in the list for the category. The Add to Favorites (AF) button adds the article to favorites (the member may or may not select a category from a list or create a new custom category in a Favorites folder) and changes the status of the article to Favorite (F). The Don&#39;t Show (DS) button puts the article at the bottom of the articles list for the category. The REPLY/POST button will take you to the Reply/Post page. The FORWARD button will take you to the Forward page. The MARK READ button changes the status of the article to Read, and de-highlights the article in the list. In a specific implementation, the MARK READ button changes to a MARK UNREAD button when an article that is marked read is in the display pane, which when selected changes the status of the article to Not Read (NR) and highlights the article in the list. Basically clicking on the MARK READ or MARK UNREAD buttons switches back and forth between them. The FULL PAGE button enlarges the view of the article page. For example, one or more of the navigation arrows buttons and other data can be eliminated to make more room. The FULL PAGE button can be replaced with a SMALL DISPLAY button that switches back to a page that displays the article in a smaller pane.  FIG. 32  depicts a conceptual diagram  3200  of a screen shot of an example of an article page in full page display mode. 
         [0199]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , with reference once again to decision point  2708 , if it is determined that the categories main page has not been selected ( 2708 -N), then the flowchart  2700  continues to decision point  2716  where it is determined whether the top articles main page has been selected. If it is determined that the top articles main page has been selected ( 2716 -Y), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2718  where the top articles main page is displayed.  FIG. 33  depicts a conceptual diagram  3300  of a screen shot of an example of a top articles main page. The structure of the Top Articles main screen is similar to the main screen of Categories, where the main navigational buttons for CATEGORIES (C), TOP ARTICLES (T), FAVORITES (F), PERSONAL (P) and SEARCH (S) folders are found at the bottom of the screen. At top of the screen you find Theme name. The arrows at the top are used for navigating back to the HOME page or to the SETTINGS page. Each column is sortable. Here are brief description for each column: DATE indicates the creation date for the Article; Rank indicates the rank of the article relative to other articles; From indicates the user who posted the content; Cat. Name is the category name to which the article belongs; Class can be, e.g., Non-Personal (NP), Public (PUB), or Sponsor (SPO); Status can indicate, e.g., New (N), Not Read (NR), Read (R), Favorite (F), or Don&#39;t Show (DS); Cat. Type can be, e.g., Instructional, Informational, Review/Analysis, Profile, Inspirational, Research, Opinion, Resource List, Tips, Advice, Best of List, Humor, Tutorial, interview, Survey, etc. (INSTRU, INFORM, REVIEW, PROFIL, INSPIRA, RESEAR, OPINION, RESOULT, TIPS, ADVICE, BESTLT, HUMOR, TUTOR, INTERV, SURVEY); Cat. Scope can be International (INT), National (NAT), State (STA), City (CITY) (in the case of NAT, STA, or CITY, more specific information can be entered); Rating indicates how other users rated this particular article. Member can scroll up or down the list of articles using applicable navigation controls and select the TOP button to go to the top of the list or the BOTTOM button to go to the bottom of the list. 
         [0200]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  returns to module  2714  as described previously. Depending upon the implementation, the article page may vary somewhat.  FIG. 34  depicts a conceptual diagram  3400  of a screen shot of an example of a top articles article page, which is quite similar to the categories article page described previously (see, e.g.,  FIG. 31 ). 
         [0201]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , with reference once again to decision point  2716 , if it is determined that the top articles main page has not been selected ( 2716 -N), then the flowchart  2700  continues to decision point  2720  where it is determined whether the favorites main page has been selected. If it is determined that the favorites main page has been selected ( 2720 -Y), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2722  where the favorites main page is displayed.  FIG. 35  depicts a conceptual diagram  3500  of a screen shot of an example of a favorites main page, which is quite similar to the categories main page described previously (see, e.g.,  FIG. 29 ). 
         [0202]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2724  with displaying a favorites article list page.  FIG. 36  depicts a conceptual diagram  3600  of a screen shot of an example of a favorites article list page, which is quite similar to the category page described previously (see, e.g.,  FIG. 30 ). 
         [0203]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  returns to module  2714  as described previously. Depending upon the implementation, the article page may vary somewhat.  FIG. 37  depicts a conceptual diagram  3700  of a screen shot of an example of a favorite article page, which is quite similar to the categories article page described previously (see, e.g.,  FIG. 31 ). 
         [0204]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , with reference once again to decision point  2720 , if it is determined that the favorites main page has not been selected ( 2720 -N), then the flowchart  2700  continues to decision point  2726  where it is determined whether the personal main page has been selected. If it is determined that the personal main page has been selected ( 2726 -Y), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2728  where the personal main page is displayed.  FIG. 38  depicts a conceptual diagram  3800  of a screen shot of an example of a personal main page. 
         [0205]    The screen shown in the diagram  3800  is similar to the categories main screen. The diagram  3800  shows a theme name listed at the top. An arrow at the top allows a user to navigate to the HOME page while another arrow at the top allows the user to navigate to the SETTING page. The screen shown in the diagram  3800  lists the user&#39;s personal categories, such as PRI (corresponding to CATEGORY1), My Public (MPUB) (corresponding to CATEGORY2), and My Private (MPRI) (corresponding to CATEGORY3). The user&#39;s INBOX is automatically included in the user&#39;s PERSONAL folder. The INBOX comprises a special category that allows one user to send private messages to another user using his or her USERID. The private messages will show up in the INBOX. The screen shown in the diagram  3800  also lists other default boxes such as, an OUTBOX, a SENTBOX, a NOTEBOX, a CREDITBOX, an ALERTBOX, a POSTBOX, a RATEBOX, a SHAREBOX, a TEXTBOX, a TEMPBOX and a READBOX. 
         [0206]    The screen shown in the diagram  3800  uses a default sorting based on a column entitled “Rank.” A category&#39;s rank is based on the ranking of each article within that category. Article ranks are based on statistics collected continuously from some, most, or all of the subscribers. Data collected from each subscriber includes the number of times an article was read, replied, shared, and other statistics to calculate the rating for each article. Default boxes created for the personal folder can include, for example:
       INBOX: All private messages from other users stored in this folder.   OUTBOX: All private messages sent to other users stored in this folder.   SENTBOX: All private messages sent to other users are stored in this folder.   NOTEBOX: User can create and store notes for personal use in this folder.   CREDITBOX: All activities (like post, reply, etc.) related to receiving a credit is stored in this folder.   ALERTBOX: Copy of the settings for all alerts set by the user are stored in this folder.   POSTBOX: All postings, replies and forwards by the user are stored in this folder.   RATEBOX: All ratings done by the user are stored in this folder.   SHAREBOX: All sharing by the user are stored in this folder.   TEXTMBOX: All text messages sent by the user are stored in this folder.   TEMPBOX: Holds content created by the user for temporary purposes.   READBOX A user can store all URL links to articles from web in this folder, for example for future reading or reference. In addition, original articles as text may be copied from web and stored in this folder for future reading or reference.       
 
         [0219]    The screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38  allows columns to be numerically and/or alphabetically sortable, either in ascending or descending order. The following is a brief description for each column: 
         [0220]    DATE: Indicates the creation date for the CATEGORY. 
         [0221]    RANK: Rank 1 indicates the number one (highest) ranked category. 
         [0222]    CAT NAME: Category name. 
         [0223]    CLASS: There are three types of classes for PERSONAL folder. My Public (MPUB), meaning it has been created by you and that can be viewed by any other subscriber, My Private (MPRI), meaning it has been create by you and that can be viewed only by other users you have invited, and PRI, meaning it has been created by another user and can be viewed only by other users invited by the original author of the category. PRI also means you have been invited and you are participating in this category. 
         [0224]    STATUS: In general, status indicates the number of read articles by the user versus total number of articles in that category. However, in special situations it may be INVITE, meaning you have been invited to this category, DISCON, meaning the category has been discontinued, or DISINV, meaning you have been disinvited to the category by the original author of the category. 
         [0225]    CATEGORY TYPE: Instructional, Informational, Review/Analysis, Profile, Inspirational, Research, Opinion, Resource List, Tips, Advice, Best of List, Humor, Tutorial, interview, Survey, etc. (INSTRU, INFORM, REVIEW, PROFIL, INSPIRA, RESEAR, OPINION, RESOULT, TIPS, ADVICE, BESTLT, HUMOR, TUTOR, INTERV, SURVEY). 
         [0226]    CATEGORY SCOPE: International (INT), National (NAT), State (STA), City (CITY). RATING: Indicates how other users rated this particular Category. Rating is a reflection of only those elected to rate the category. 
         [0227]    The screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38  also illustrates two buttons, namely, a check box (labeled “AF”) on left and a box indicating “Don&#39;t Show” (“DS”) on right for each category: The checkbox AF is used to select the category that a user is deleting. 
         [0228]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button DS puts the category to the bottom of the categories list and de-highlights the category name so that it cannot be selected. When sorted by category name, the categories marked with the button DS will always show at the bottom. Also, the categories marked with the button DS will not update its content. If a user clicks on the button DS for a category that he or she has been invited, as signified with a STATUS of “INVITE,” an automatic message goes back to the author of the category indicating that the author&#39;s invitation was rejected. 
         [0229]    Other then the default boxes listed herein, the PERSONAL MAIN SCREEN lists the following categories: MPUB (public categories created by the user), MPRI (private categories created by the user) and PRI (private categories user has been invited and participating and those categories user just has been invited). When an entry having a CLASS of “PRI” has a STATUS of “INVITE,” there is an indication that the user has been invited to this private category. Clicking on the category will open up information relating to the category. By clicking on the category, the user can open up category information. This is similar to the screen used in the ADD NEW CATEGORY form, where all the information has been already filled by the author of the category. If the user accepts the invitation, the user can click on the button labeled “ACCEPT/DONE.” A user can also click on the button labeled, “CANCEL” or on the button labeled “DS” to put the category into Don&#39;t Show list. 
         [0230]    In the screen shown in  FIG. 38 , the status can also be labeled “DISCON,” which indicates a discontinued category. Such a category can indicate that the category was deleted by its author. The status can also be labeled, “DISINV,” which means that the author disinvited the user. 
         [0231]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button labeled, “ADD NEW CATEGORY” indicates that a new category will be added, with a public class “CLASS PUB” or a private class, “CLASS PRI.” Clicking the ADD NEW CATEGORY button opens a form labeled, “ADD NEW CATEGORY” A user can then fills out the form to create the new category. 
         [0232]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button labeled, “DELETE CATEGORY” indicates that a category is to be deleted. In the example of  FIG. 38 , a category can only be deleted by the author who created it. However, there can be exceptions when a category becomes discontinued or a user is disinvited from the category. In the case of either discontinuation or disinvitation, a user can also be allowed to delete the category, i.e., by selecting the category by clicking the box on left and clicking DELETE CATEGORY. A message box can confirm the user&#39;s action before deleting the category. There can be an option in the message box for completely deleting the category from memory or keeping a copy in the Personal folder with the status DISCON. DISINV and DISCON statuses can remain in a user personal folder for those categories until deleted. The user can click on the discontinued status button “DS” for that category or delete the category. When the category is deleted, system need not keep track of the category and need not synchronize the category. However, the system can inform others users of the category that the category was discontinued. This is done by changing the status of the category to DISCON on all users of the category. 
         [0233]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button labeled, “MY CATS” displays a of categories MPRI and MPUB, that a user has created. 
         [0234]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button labeled, “INVITED CATEGORIES” displays a list of categories other users privately created (and classified as “PRI”) and invited the user to see. 
         [0235]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button labeled “ALL CATS” displays all of a user&#39;s Personal categories, including the user&#39;s inbox (“INBOX”) and the users&#39; postings and replies (“MY POSTINGS/REPLIES”). When the user comes to the All Categories screen, all the categories are displayed. However, if user clicks on MY CATEGORIES or INVITED CATEGORIES buttons, the user interface can limit return back to the original Personal folder “Categories,” using a variety of limitations, such as requiring the user to click on the button “ALL CATS.” 
         [0236]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the button labeled “UPDATE MY INVITATIONS” allows an author to invite other users or disinvite other users. A check box on the left of the My Private indicator “MPRI” can be selected before clicking on the button labeled “UPDATE MY INVITATIONS.” When a person is disinvited, the person&#39;s category status can change to DISINV. Once a user is disinvited, that user might be limited from seeing more messages (i.e., the system need not sync this category for this user anymore) and user might be limited form posting any more messages. Previous messages can remain in the memory until the disinvited user deletes the category. The author can be limited from disinviting only the users subscribed to the service. Other&#39;s invited by email need not be disinvited by the system until they become a registered user. 
         [0237]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38 , the user can scroll up or down through this page by a user interface element, such as a screen touch. The screen shown in the example of  FIG. 38  can also allow quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list by clicking on TOP or BOTTOM at the top of the screen. 
         [0238]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to the module  2730  where other personal folder pages are displayed. Examples of pages that can be displayed in association with a personal folder are illustrated in  FIGS. 39-50 . 
         [0239]      FIG. 39  depicts a conceptual diagram  3900  of a screenshot of an example of a private personal category list screen “PRI.” The private category list screen “PRI” is similar to other Category List Screens. 
         [0240]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , there is a button labeled “USERS.” The “USERS” button allows a user to find out the invited users for the enumerated Private Category. Like a main screen, the exemplary list screen of  FIG. 39  has main navigational buttons for CATEGORIES (C), TOP USA (T), FAVORITES (F), PERSONAL (P) and SEARCH (S) folders (all shown at the bottom of the screen). 
         [0241]    At the top of the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , a user can find Theme and Category names. The screen can designate whether the category is non-personal (“NP”), indicating that the category was created by a company. The screen can also designate whether the category is a public category (“PUB”), indicating that a user created the category. The screen can contain rating information about the category and a rating button. The arrows at the top of the screen in  FIG. 39  can be used used for navigating back to the Categories Main Screen or to the SETTING page. 
         [0242]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , clicking the button “RATE CAT” can allow users to rate a Category. Below the “RATE CAT” button can be the current rating for this category. 
         [0243]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , the button “FOLLOW CAT” allows users to set an alert to follow all the users or a specific user in the category. Below the “FOLLOW CAT” button can be the statistics a about how many users follow the category through setting alert and the total number of users participating either by reading or by posting. 
         [0244]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , the “POST NEW” button can enable a user to post an article to the Category. Each column is sortable both ways numerically or alphabetically, ascending or descending. The following will aid one of skill in the art to further understand each column:
       DATE: Can indicates the creation date for the Article.   RANK: Can indicate a ranking. E.g., “Rank 1” can indicate the number one (highest) ranked article in the set.   FROM: Can indicate the user who posted the message.   SUBJECT: Can indicate the article name or subject of the article.   STATUS: Can indicate any of the following things;
           N—New— New article, meaning new since last access to the application. Those that were New before and not read yet will change its status to NR.   NR—Not Read—Article has Not been Read yet   R—Read—Article was Read   F—Favorite—Article marked as Favored   DS—Don&#39;t Show—Article marked as Don&#39;t Show. An article may be marked as DS (don&#39;t show) but still stays in the list. However, those with DS are put at the bottom of the list and they are made un-selectable until DS button is clicked again.   
           RATING: Can indicate how other users rated this particular article. Rating can be limited to reflect, e.g., only those elected to rate the article.       
 
         [0256]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , a user can scrolls up or down through the this list screen using a user interface element such as by touching on a touch screen. Quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list can occur with a click on the buttons labeled “T” or “B” at the top of the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 . 
         [0257]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 39 , each screen/page in each folder can also have a button/link to the “i” (information) pages. Click the “i” button can allow a user to access more specific information about the page he or she navigated to. 
         [0258]      FIG. 40  depicts a conceptual diagram  4000  of a screenshot of an example of an “Update Invitations” screen that can be used to invite and uninvite users. The screen shown in the example of  FIG. 40  displays a category name below the Theme. The screen in the example of  FIG. 40  shows a “CURRENTLY INVITED” section including a LIST NAME a user has used, as well as a list of USERID and EMAIL addresses. In the ADD NEW INVITATION OR REMOVE/DIS-INVITE section, the user can add a new LIST NAME, USERID (separated by a delineator such as a comma), or new EMAIL for invitation. 
         [0259]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 40 , once the user has entered the new USERID/EMAIL and MESSAGE, the user can click on ADD to add the new people into the invited list and send a message to them. On the same screen, the user can REMOVE/DISINVITE users by typing their USERID. Once the message for the people who will be removed is typed, the user can click on the button “REMOVE” to remove and disinvite those users from the list and send a message to them. After completion of adding and/or removing, the user can click on the button “DONE” to close the screen. The invited users can have this category show up in their PERSONAL FOLDER with a status of “INVITE,” and can get a personal message in their INBOX with the invitation message. Similarly those who were disinvited will can the category status changed to “DISINV,” and they will get a message in their INBOX with the disinvite message from the author. 
         [0260]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 40 , those invited who do not have a subscriber status can receive an email message. When a person is disinvited, the category status will change to DISINV for that user. Once a user is disinvited, that user cannot see any more messages (i.e., the system need not sync this category for this user anymore) and user can be limited from posting any more messages. The previous messages can remain in the memory until the category is deleted by the user. The author can be limited to disinviting only the users subscribed to the service. Other users invited by email cannot be disinvited by the system. However, email disinvite message can still be delivered to the disinvited users. 
         [0261]      FIG. 41  depicts a conceptual diagram  4100  of a screenshot of an example of a create new category screen shot. The button “ADD NEW CATEGORY” (shown in  FIG. 38 ) can open up the screen ADD NEW CATEGORY, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 41 . 
         [0262]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 41 , a user can create a list using the LIST BUILDER which can be made up of USERIDs or EMAILS, separated by a delineator such as a comma. The user can then use the corresponding list along with additional USERID and eMails to invite people to the CATEGORY. The email can be limited to going to people who do not subscriber. The emailed people can get information about the category, as well as about the Application. The user can use the pulldown menu to select the LIST, or start typing and matching list of LISTs will be displayed for user to select. 
         [0263]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 41 , when a user selects a LIST, USERIDs or EMAILS can be displayed in the USERID LIST box on left. The user may alter this by deleting or adding USERIDs or EMAILS and click on SAVE. Cut &amp; Paste in this box is allowed. The LIST name also can be deleted by clicking on DELETE button. The LIST created in this example is shared among all the other screens utilizing the LIST BUILDER. If the goal of the user is just to create or update a list, then user can create/delete and update lists using LIST NAME by clicking on ADD NEW CATEGORY button on PERSONAL screen. After create/delete and update of LIST NAME is complete, the user can close the screen by clicking CANCEL button. Similarly such closing can be accomplished using the SHARE, PRI MESSAGE and USER SETTINGS screens. If the goal is to continue with the creation of a new category, then user can be prompted to enter the following information;
       CATEGORY NAME: (# Characters)   CATEGORY CLASS: Personal (PRI, MPRI), Public (PUB,MPUB), Sponsored (SPO) If a user is a general user, he or she can be able to select PRI or PUB. If the user is a Sponsor, he or she can be able to select SPO or PRI. Public means anyone can see and participate, whereas Private means only those who have been invited will be able to see and participate. A selection can be required to be made in order to continue with creation of a new category. If the Public option is selected, then there is no need to create a list for this category and user should continue with entering the category information. However, if the Private was selected, a list needs to be used to invite those people to the category.   CATEGORY TYPE: Instructional, Informational, Review/Analysis, Profile, Inspirational, Research, Opinion, Resource List, Tips, Advice, Best of List, Humor, Tutorial, interview, Survey, etc. (INSTRU, INFORM, REVIEW, PROFIL, INSPIRA, RESEAR, OPINION, RESOULT, TIPS, ADVICE, BESTLT, HUMOR, TUTOR, INTERV, SURVEY)—CATEGORY SCOPE: International (INT), National (NAT), State (STA), City (CITY)       
 
         [0267]    Additional information can include:
       WHY IS THIS CATEGORY NEEDED?   HOW WILL USERS BENEFIT FROM THIS CATEGORY?   WHO WILL USE THIS CATEGORY?   ADDITIONAL COMMENTS       
 
         [0272]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 41 , when a private category is created and a Private invitation is made, the category shows up in the personal folder of the invited users who are subscribers. The status of the category is set to INVITE, indicating that user has been invited to this category. Once the user clicks on the new category and clicks on ACCEPT/DONE button, the INVITE status is replaced with the common status info of “# of NR/# of Total” articles count in the category. A message goes back to the author/inviter that the user has accepted the invitation. If the invited user clicks on DS for that category, then an automatic message goes back to the author/inviter of the category that this USERID has rejected his invitation. 
         [0273]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 41 , when the ADD NEW CATEGORY form is filled, the information in the form is saved in memory and synced with system. System creates a new category, either Private or Public, with the message from the Author. System re-syncs the new category to author&#39;s electronic hardware device. If user is a SPONSOR (system can detect sponsors from their USERID), after DONE button is clicked in the 2nd page of ADD CATEGORY SCREEN ( FIG. S6D ), a new screen is displayed, ADD CATEGORY SCREEN SPONSOR ( FIG. 43 ) to the user for filling out the specific credits that may be given to the users for their activities. 
         [0274]      FIG. 42  depicts a conceptual diagram  4200  of a screenshot of an example of a personal inbox screen shot. The structure of the INBOX Articles list screen is similar to the list screen of Categories, where the main navigational buttons for CATEGORIES (C), TOP USA (T), FAVORITES (F), PERSONAL (P) and SEARCH (S) folders are found at the bottom of the screen. At top of the screen a user can find Theme name. The arrows at the top can be used for navigating back to the PERSONAL CATEGORIES page or to the SETTING page. 
         [0275]    Each column is sortable both ways numerically or alphabetically, ascending or descending. Here are brief description for each column:
       DATE: Indicates the creation date for the Article.   RANK: Rank 1 indicates the number one (highest) ranked article.   FROM: User who posted the message.   SUBJECT: Article name or Subject of the article.   STATUS: Article status indicates one of the followings;   N—New—New article, meaning new since last access to the application. Those that were New before and not read yet will change its status to NR.   NR—Not Read—Article has Not been Read yet   R—Read—Article was Read   F—Favorite—Article marked as Favored   DS—Don&#39;t Show—Article marked as Don&#39;t Show. An article may be marked as DS (don&#39;t show) but still stays in the list. However, those with DS are put at the bottom of the list and they are made un-selectable until DS button is clicked again.   RATING: Indicates how other users rated this particular article. Rating is a reflection of only those elected to rate the article.       
 
         [0287]    Clicking the Subject will take you to the individual article screen
       SEND PRI MESSAGE: User can send a private message to another user, which could be a subscriber or another person. For subscribers, USERID will be used and for others an email address will be used to send the message.       
 
         [0289]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 42 , the user can scroll up or down through the this list screen by touching on screen. Also, there can be a quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list by clicking on T or B button at the top of the screen. 
         [0290]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 42 , each screen/page in each folder can also have a button/link to “i” (information) pages. Click the i button to access more specific information about the page you are at. 
         [0291]      FIG. 43  depicts a conceptual diagram  4300  of a screenshot of an example of an inbox reply screen shot. Users can reply to the private messages that they receive in their INBOX. A user can have the option of including the original article as part of his or her reply message. 
         [0292]      FIG. 44  depicts a conceptual diagram  4400  of a screenshot of an example of a inbox forward screen shot. Users can forward the private messages that they receive in their INBOX to others, who are registered users or to non-registered users through their email address. 
         [0293]      FIG. 45  depicts a conceptual diagram  4500  of a screenshot of an example of a personal folders sentbox list screen shot. List of private messages can be sent to other users. 
         [0294]      FIG. 46  depicts a conceptual diagram  4600  of a screenshot of an example of a personal sentbox subject screen shot. Users can use this screen to view and forward the individual articles. 
         [0295]      FIG. 47  depicts a conceptual diagram  4700  of a screenshot of an example of a personal inbox subject screen shot. This page can be similar to the Category Article Screen. At top of the screen you find Theme, Personal Category and Article names. It will also designate if the category is MPRI indicating private and created by you, MPUB indicating public and created by you, and PRI indicating public and was created by another user which you have been invited. The arrows at the top are for navigating back to the Personal Inbox List Screen or to the SHARE page. Using Share will allow you to send the article to another person using email, text message, share it with facebook or twitter. 
         [0296]    Here are brief description for each column:
       ID: This is a unique number for the article which can be used for searching or reporting purposes.   DATE/TIME: Indicates the creation date and time for the Article.   RANK: Rank 1 indicates the number one (highest) ranked article.   FROM: User who posted the message.   SUBJECT: Article name or Subject of the article.   RATE USER: You can rate the user who posted this article   FOLLOW USER: You can set alert to follow the user who posted this article for all categories that will be posted by this user or for a specific category.       
 
         [0304]    Below the Article, you will find a Next and Previous navigational buttons. Next button will display the next article in the Personal Inbox List Screen, where as Previous button will display the previous article in the Personal Inbox List Screen. 
         [0305]    The message screen will display messages regarding user actions. For example when article was added to the favorite or marked as DS, etc. The message screen is followed by the following buttons;
       ADD TO FAVORITES(Article)—User is allowed to select a Category from a list or create a new custom category in the FAVORITE folder. Only the ARTICLE selected goes to the FAVORITE folder. Status of the article is changed to F.   DON&#39;T SHOW—Will mark the article as DS and will put it at the bottom of the articles in the Category List. An article may be marked as DS (don&#39;t show) but still stays in the list. However, those articles are made un-selectable until DS button is clicked again.   REPLY/POST—Will take you to the Reply/Post page.   FORWARD—will take you to the Forward page.   MARK READ button changes the status of the article READ, and de-highlights the article in the list, and MARK READ turns into MARK UNREAD. Clicking the MARK UNREAD button, changes the status of the article to NOT READ (NR), highlights the article in the list, and MARK UNREAD turns into MARK READ button. Basically switching back and forth every time it is clicked.   FULL PAGE button enlarges the view of the article page. Navigation to Category List screen and SHARE screen, as well as the RATE ART buttons are eliminated to make room for larger article display area. Clicking the BACK TO FIT PAGE will take user to the original article display mode (See  FIG. S3K ).       
 
         [0312]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 47 , each screen/page in each folder also has a button/link to i (information) pages. Click the i button to access more specific information about the page you are at. 
         [0313]      FIG. 48  depicts a conceptual diagram  4800  of a screenshot of an example of an inbox send PRI message screen shot. The PRI message can be sent to another subscriber using their USERID, and/or using an email address. In LIST BUILDER user can create a LIST made up of USERIDs or EMAILS, separated by comma. This LIST then can be used along with additional USERID and eMails to send the Private message. Multiple USERID and EMails can be entered separated by comma. The email can go to people who are not yet subscribers. This emailed people get the private message, as well as information about the Application. User can use the pulldown menu to select the LIST, or start typing and matching list of LISTs will be displayed for user to select. When a LIST is selected, USERIDs or EMAILS show up in the USERID LIST box on left. User may alter this by deleting or adding USERIDs or EMAILS and click on SAVE. Cut &amp; Paste in this box is allowed. LIST name also can be deleted by clicking on DELETE button. The LIST created here can be shared among all the other screens utilizing the LIST BUILDER
       LIST NAME: Select a LIST NAME using pull-down menu for sending the private message   USERID: Enter USERIDs separated by comma   EMAIL: Enter EMAIL addresses separated by comma   PRI SENT BOX: Default is YES, meaning a copy of the PRI message will be kept in SENT BOX. If NO is selected, no copy will be kept. Enter subject and message, and click SEND. Each screen/page in each folder also has a button/link to i (information) pages. Click the i button to access more specific information about the page you are at.       
 
         [0318]      FIG. 49  depicts a conceptual diagram  4900  of a screenshot of an example of a personal folder notebox list screen shot. The structure of the NOTEBOX Articles list screen is similar to the list screen of Categories, where the main navigational buttons for CATEGORIES (C), TOP ARTICLES (T), FAVORITES (F), PERSONAL (P) and SEARCH (S) folders are found at the bottom of the screen. At top of the screen you find Theme name. The arrows at the top are used for navigating back to the PERSONAL CATEGORIES page or to the SETTING page. 
         [0319]    Each column is sortable both ways numerically or alphabetically, high to low or low to high. Here are brief description for each column:
       DATE: Indicates the creation date for the Note.   FROM: User who created the Note. This information will be used if user decides to send this note as a private message to another user.   SUBJECT: Article name or Subject of the article. Clicking the Subject will take you to the individual note page   DELETE NOTE—Select a note by clicking on the Check Box on left side of the Note, and then click DELETE NOTE button to delete.   ADD NEW NOTE: Clicking this button will take user to the NOTEBOX Article Screen to enable user to enter text and save the new note.       
 
         [0325]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 49 , a user can scroll up or down through the list screen by a user interface element, such as touching on a touch screen. Also, there is a quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list by clicking on T or button at the top of the screen. 
         [0326]    Each screen/page in each folder also has a button/link to “i” (information) pages. Click the button to access more specific information about the page you are at. 
         [0327]      FIG. 50  depicts a conceptual diagram  5000  of a screenshot of an example of a personal notebox subject screen shot. This page is very similar to the Category Article Screen. At top of the screen you find Theme, Personal Category and Note/article names. 
         [0328]    The arrows at the top are for navigating back to the Personal Inbox List Screen or to the SHARE page. Using Share will allow you to send the article to another person using email, text message, share it with social networks such as Facebook or Twitter. 
         [0329]    Here are brief description for each column:
       ID: This is a unique number for the note/article which can be used for searching or reporting purposes.   DATE/TIME: Indicates the creation date and time for the Note/Article.   FROM: User who created the note/article.   SUBJECT: Article name or Subject of the article.       
 
         [0334]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 50 , below the Article, a user can find Next and Previous navigational buttons. The next button will display the next note/article in the Notebox List Screen, where as Previous button will display the previous note/article in the Notebox List Screen. 
         [0335]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 50 , the Notebox where the text is entered will either be blank if user click on the ADD NEW NOTE button on the Notebox List Screen, or will have the text of the note if user clicked on the Subject of the not on the Notebox List Screen. 
         [0336]    In the screen shown in the example of  FIG. 50 , the message screen will display messages regarding user actions. For example when article was added to the favorite or marked as DS, etc. The message screen can be followed by the following buttons;
       EDIT NOTE—will take user to the edit mode so that note can be edited.   SAVE NOTE—will save the note.   ADD NEW NOTE: Clicking this button will create a blank Notebox and put user to the edit mode so that new text can be entered.   SEND PRI MESSAGE: User can send a private message to another user, which could be a subscriber or another person. For subscribers, USERID will be used and for others an email address will be used to send the message. The message in the Notebox will be copied over to the PRI Message box.   MARK READ button changes the status of the article READ, and de-highlights the article in the list, and MARK READ turns into MARK UNREAD. Clicking the MARK       
 
         [0342]    UNREAD button, changes the status of the article to NOT READ (NR), highlights the article in the list, and MARK UNREAD turns into MARK READ button. Basically switching back and forth every time it is clicked.
       FULL PAGE button enlarges the view of the article page. Navigation to Category List screen and SHARE screen, as well as the RATE ART buttons are eliminated to make room for larger article display area. Clicking the BACK TO FIT PAGE will take user to the original article display mode (See  FIG. S3K ).       
 
         [0344]    Each screen/page in each folder also has a button/link to “i” (information) pages. Click the i button to access more specific information about the page you are at. 
         [0345]    Returning to the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2732  where search main page is displayed. Because the example of  FIG. 7  includes only 5 main page choices, Categories, Top Articles, Favorites, Personal, and Search, at this point the only remaining option is the search main page option.  FIG. 51  depicts a conceptual diagram  5100  of a screenshot of an example of a search main page screen shot. User can save and reuse previous search settings. To save, type a search name and click the SAVE SEARCH button. To reuse, click the pulldown menu and select a saved search. User can search Categories, Articles, Users or Sponsors. Select one of the options CAT, ART, USER or SPON using the pull-down menu. Users can also perform search on the current page that they came from or search all content pages within the Theme. Category can be searched using a keyword. Category search results displayed using a screen similar to the Category Main Screen. Article search can be done using an article ID number or using a keyword. See  FIG. S8B  for articles search screen. User search can be accomplished using the USERID or a keyword. The results of user search is show in  FIG. S8C . Furthermore, user can click on any of the matching USERID on page and look for more detail information about the user. See  FIG. S8D  user page screen. Similarly, user can search for a SPONSOR using their USERID or with a keyword. See  FIG. S8E  sponsor search page. ALL is a default selection for all the options—RATING, CLASS, STATUS, TYPE, SCOPE and RANKING. Note that CLASS, TYPE and SCOPE apply to Categories only, STATUS applies to Articles only. RANKING and RATING are used for all search, including Category, Article, User, and Sponsor. For TYPE option, user can select either ALL or one of the items provided in the pulldown list. For RANKING and RATING user also has only one option to select. For CLASS, STATUS, TYPE and SCOPE user can make multiple selections by clicking on them and highlighting them. Once the proper selections are made, user can enter one or more KEYWORDS to setup the search before clicking SEARCH button. If user is searching an article, entering the article ID is sufficient for searching without selecting any special options. Each screen/page in each folder also has a button/link to i (information) pages. Click the i button to access more specific information about the page you are at. 
         [0346]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , the flowchart  2700  continues to decision point  2734  wherein it is determined whether a search is to be conducted for articles. If it is determined that a search is to be conducted for articles ( 2734 -Y), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2736  where an articles search results page is displayed.  FIG. 52  depicts a conceptual diagram  5200  of a screenshot of an example of an articles search results page.
       DATE: Indicates the creation date for the Article.   RANK: Rank 1 indicates the number one (highest) ranked article.   FROM: User who posted the message.   CAT: Category name   CLASS: NP, PUB (or MPUB), PRI (or MPRI), SPO   STATUS: Article status indicates one of the followings;   N—New—New article, meaning new since last access to the application. Those that were New before and not read yet will change its status to NR.   NR—Not Read—Article has Not been Read yet   R—Read—Article was Read   F—Favorite—Article marked as Favored   DS—Don&#39;t Show—Article marked as Don&#39;t Show. An article may be marked as DS (don&#39;t show) but still stays in the list. However, those with DS are put at the bottom of the list and they are made not selectable until DS button is clicked again.   CATEGORY TYPE: Instructional, Informational, Review/Analysis, Profile, Inspirational, Research, Opinion, Resource List, Tips, Advice, Best of List, Humor, Tutorial, interview, Survey, etc. (INSTRU, INFORM, REVIEW, PROFIL, INSPIRA, RESEAR, OPINION, RESOULT, TIPS, ADVICE, BESTLT, HUMOR, TUTOR, INTERV, SURVEY)   CATEGORY SCOPE: International (INT), National (NAT), State (STA), City (CITY)   RATING: Indicates how other users rated this particular article. Rating is a reflection of only those elected to rate the article.   ID: This is a unique number for the article which can be used for searching or reporting purposes.   SUBJECT: Article name or Subject of the article.       
 
         [0363]    User also can select either one line or two line display of the results for this screen. User can scroll up or down through the this list screen by touching on screen. Also, there is a quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list by clicking on T or B button at the top of the screen. 
         [0364]    Each screen/page in each folder also has a button/link to i (information) pages. Click the i button to access more specific information about the page you are at. 
         [0365]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , if it is determined that the search is not for articles ( 2734 -N), then the flowchart  2700  continues to decision point  2738  where it is determined whether a search is to be conducted for users. If it is determined that a search is to be conducted for articles ( 2738 -Y), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2740  where a users search results page is displayed.  FIG. 53  depicts a conceptual diagram  5300  of a screenshot of an example of a users search results page.
       USERID: User IDs   RATING: Indicates how other users rated this particular author. Rating is a reflection of only those elected to rate the author.   # OF POSTS: Number of total postings made by the user to different categories.   # OF PUB: Number of Public categories authored by the user.   # OF PRI: Number of Private categories authored by the user.   TOP NP CATS: Top Non-Personal (created by company) categories followed by the user. Top means most actively participated by the user.   TOP PUB CATS: Top Public (created by users) categories followed by the user. Top means most actively participated by the user.   # OF FOLLOWERS: Number of users following the author.       
 
         [0374]    When clicked on the USERID, the User Personal Page is displayed with more information about the user.  FIG. 54  depicts a conceptual diagram  5400  of a screenshot of an example of a user personal page. 
         [0375]    In the example of  FIG. 27 , if it is determined that the search is not for users ( 2738 -N), then the flowchart  2700  continues to module  2742  where a sponsors search results page is displayed. In this example, only three examples of search categories are presented, articles, users, and sponsors. Because at this point it has been determined that the search is not for articles or users, it is assumed that the search is for sponsors.  FIG. 55  depicts a conceptual diagram  5500  of a screenshot of an example of a sponsors search results page.
       USERID: Any sponsor will be represented by one USERID.   RANKING: For a Theme, ranking indicates the average ranking of all the categories in that theme. For a Category, it represents the ranking for that category. These are basically reflection on the sponsor.   RATING: For a Theme, rating indicates the average rating of all the categories in that theme. For a Category, it represents the rating for that category. These are basically reflection on the sponsor.   THEMES: A sponsor can sponsor one or more Themes and all the categories within a Theme.   CATS: A sponsor can sponsor one ore more Categories under a Public Theme.   # OF FOLLOWS: Number of followers of a sponsored Theme with all the categories, or in a sponsored single Category in a Public Theme.   # OF USERS: Number of users of a sponsored Theme with all the categories, or in a sponsored single Category in a Public Theme.   DS: As a default, all sponsors are included in the list. Meaning, if user accept advertisements, user may receive ads from any of the sponsors. If user do not want to receive any advertisements from a sponsor, user can click on DS for that sponsor.       
 
         [0384]    User can click on SPONSOR NAME or USERID to access the User Page for more information about the sponsor and the user representing the sponsor. Also, user can click on THEME to get more information about the Theme as well. 
         [0385]    The contents of a trust folder can be considered implementation- and/or configuration-specific.  FIG. 56  depicts a conceptual diagram  5600  intended to illustrate some examples of personal folder contents, which can include trust folders. Private messages from other members are stored in INBOX. Private messages to other members are stored in OUTBOX. Private messages sent to other members are stored in SENTBOX. Notes are stored in NOTEBOX. Activities (like post, reply, etc.) related to receiving credit for social network activity are stored in CREDITBOX. Settings for alerts are stored in ALERTBOX. Postings, replies and forwards by the member are stored in POSTBOX. Ratings are stored in RATEBOX. Shared content is stored in SHAREBOX. Text messages are stored in TEXTMBOX. Temporary content is stored in TEMPBOX. READBOX can contain URL links to articles or text documents for future reading or reference. MPRI is a category of trust folder. MPUB is a category of trust folder that is open to the public. PRI is private categories to which the member has been invited. 
         [0386]      FIG. 57  shows a conceptual diagram  5700  intended to illustrate some examples of a system incorporating one or more trusted social networks. A user can interface with the trusted social network system using a web browser. The web browser can, using a network connection such as WiFi, xG, or the Internet, connect the user to one or more devices. 
         [0387]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , the devices can comprise a computer running apps, a electronic device running apps, or a smart phone running apps. Any of the computer, the electronic device, and the smart phone can link the user to a CATEGORIES page. The CATEGORIES page can, in turn link the user to a specific category, shown in  FIG. 57  as exemplary CATEGORY1. The CATEGORY1 can link the user to a specific subject page, shown in  FIG. 57  as exemplary CATEGORY1: SUBJECT  1 . 
         [0388]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , a network connection such as WiFi, xG, or the Internet, can connect the users to a Private corporate theme. The Private corporate theme is shown incorporating first “private themes &amp; categories,” “public themes &amp; categories,” “personal folders,” and second “private themes and categories.” 
         [0389]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , a network connection (shown as the Internet) can connect the Private corporate theme to publicly accessible corporate accounts, such as “corporate customer accounts,” and corporate social networks, such as “corporate Facebook accounts,” and “corporate Twitter accounts.” 
         [0390]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , a network connection such as a LAN and/or WAN can connect the Private corporate theme to corporate sources that can be privately accessible. Exemplary corporate sources include: corporate blogs, corporate news, products, services, support, and other corporate sources. 
         [0391]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , a network connection such as a LAN and/or WAN can connect the Private corporate theme to corporate departments that can be privately accessible. Exemplary corporate departments include: a human resources (HR) department, engineering, or other departments. 
         [0392]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , a network connection such as a LAN and/or WAN can connect the Private corporate theme to corporate teams that can be privately accessible. Exemplary corporate teams include: engineering teams, marketing teams, and other teams. 
         [0393]    In the example shown in  FIG. 57 , a network connection such as a LAN and/or WAN can connect the Private corporate theme to corporate messages that can be privately accessible. Exemplary corporate messages include: CEO messages, marketing messages, and other corporate messages. 
         [0394]      FIG. 58  shows a user interface, high level flow diagram. User access articles hierarchically selecting through Theme and Categories.  FIG. 59  shows a user interface search flow. Search can be for category, article, user, and sponsor.  FIG. 60  shows programming synchronization. Shows the protocol and how mobile devices are synchronized with web services system.  FIG. 61  shows a typical email system. Copy of the message and file sent to everyone.  FIG. 62  shows a proposed email system. Copy of message is store in one place and all users access the same location to see the message. Similarly for files.  FIG. 63  shows examples of possible communications between users.  FIG. 64  shows proposed email system. User can send an email message to those outside the proposed email system, and to other users outside the private category.  FIG. 65  shows a proposed email system. User receiving an email message can reply back to the category, to those outside the proposed email system, and to other users outside the private category.  FIG. 66  shows a general dataflow diagram. Shows user access to central system through multiple devices, and through wifi, LAN, internet. APIs allow central system to interface with Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites, news and other external information.  FIG. 67  shows a rate page. User can rate category, article and user.  FIG. 68A  shows a dataflow for sponsor articles read through websites.  FIG. 68B  shows sponsored articles. Sponsor selects themes and categories to show their articles.  FIG. 69A  shows a dataflow for sponsor articles read through websites can be downloaded to central system.  FIG. 69B  shows sponsored articles. Sponsor selects themes and categories to show their articles.  FIG. 70  shows a share page. User can share articles through email or text message.  FIG. 71  shows a block user. User can block another user sending any private message. FIG.  72  shows a general administrative user interface page.  FIG. 73  shows a general administrative production interface page.  FIG. 74  shows a general administrative production categories interface page.  FIG. 75  shows a general administrative holding stage interface page.  FIG. 76  shows a general administrative submit interface page.  FIG. 77  shows a general administrative user management interface page.  FIG. 78  shows a general administrative potential user management interface page.  FIG. 79  shows a general administrative cancelled user management interface page.  FIG. 80  shows a general administrative information interface page.  FIG. 81  shows a general administrative problem-suggestion interface page.  FIG. 82  shows a general administrative regular Constants interface page.  FIG. 83  shows a general administrative sponsor Constants interface page.  FIG. 84  shows a general administrative release version interface page.  FIG. 85  shows a general dataflow diagram for private and public themes and categories.  FIG. 86A  shows a general data flow for theme-article hierarchy, and connection to social media.  FIG. 86B  shows a general article hierarchy—categories, categories, articles, article.  FIG. 86C  shows a general theme-article hierarchy—categories, articles, article.  FIG. 87  shows create new category for sponsors.  FIG. 88A  shows a general dataflow diagram for user private and public categories.  FIG. 88B  shows general user private and public categories.  FIG. 89  shows a user system data flow submitting category or article.  FIG. 90  shows an administrative special setup page.  FIG. 91  shows a private category article page.  FIG. 92  shows an add article to favorite page.  FIG. 93  shows a user rating and review results page.  FIG. 94  shows an article reply or post screen.  FIG. 95  shows an article reply or post screen for sponsor.  FIG. 96  shows a create new category.  FIG. 97  shows a personal reply and post list screen.  FIG. 98  shows an article info page.  FIG. 99  shows a display menu screen.  FIG. 100  shows a description of typical email system of  FIG. 61 .  FIG. 101  shows a description of proposed email system of  FIG. 62 .  FIG. 102  shows a description of Examples of possible communications between user of  FIG. 63 .  FIG. 103  shows a description of proposed email system of  FIG. 64 .  FIG. 104  shows a description of proposed email system of  FIG. 65 .  FIG. 105  shows an administrative special setup page. 
         [0395]    The detailed description discloses examples and techniques, but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that modifications, permutations, and equivalents thereof are within the scope of the teachings. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations, and equivalents. While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the invention is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C sec. 112, sixth paragraph, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 will begin with the words “means for”, but use of the term “for” in any other context is not intended to invoke treatment under 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.) Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
       APPENDIX 
       [0396]    General Navigation 
         [0397]    For a given Theme, data organized and accessed, for example, through five main Folders:
       C—CATEGORY—List of categories in the theme   T—TOP USA—List of top ranked users (U), sponsors (S) and articles (A)   F—FAVORITES—List of categories and articles designated a favorite   P—PERSONAL—List of public and private categories created by you and your inbox   S—SEARCH—For searching categories, articles or users       
 
         [0403]    At the bottom of each screen you will have an option to select any one of them, (C,T,F,P,S), and the selected one will be kept highlighted. 
         [0404]    In addition, for each main Folder, there may be three screens for viewing data;
       M—MAIN SCREEN—List of categories in the theme. This is the default screen for all folders, except Top Articles folder. Clicking on any of the categories listed on this main screen takes you to the list screen.   L—LIST SCREEN—List of articles in a category. This is the default screen for Top Articles folder. Clicking on any of the articles listed on this list screen takes you to the article screen.   A—ARTICLE SCREEN—Article view where you can share, reply, post, etc.       
 
         [0408]    User can scrolls up or down through the Main, List and Article Screens through either by using a scroll bar or by touching on screen (in supported electronic hardware devices). Also, there is a quick access to the top of the list or to the bottom of the list by clicking on T or B at the top of the screen. 
         [0409]    Each screen in each folder also has a button/link to i (information) screens. Click the i button to access more specific information about the screen you are at. 
         [0410]    Electronic hardware device can be portable or non-portable. In this document, some examples are given using a portable electronic device, for example, iPhone. 
         [0411]    Display Description 
         [0412]    1. Each screen may be different. However there are commonalities between the screens with specific navigation and display capabilities. See a Sample Screen in  FIG. S11 . 
         [0413]    2. Each screen/page in each folder also has a link to i (information) pages. 
         [0414]    3. When new Theme is subscribed, allow settings for that new Theme as well 
         [0415]    4. When new Theme is subscribed, give credit to the user for that subscription 
         [0416]    5. STATUS: NEW, NOT-READ, READ, FAVORITE, DONT-SHOW; N and NR should be highlighted until they are R. 
         [0417]    6.—CLASS: NOT-PERSONAL/NP, PRIVATE/PRI, or PUBLIC/PUB. NP is created by the system, whereas PRI and PUB created by the users. Any user can access to NP or PUB. However, only invited users have access to PRI. 
         [0418]    7. All columns on all screens/pages are sortable. 
         [0419]    8. An article is put into a FAVORITE folder, it is basically marked as F 
         [0420]    9. An article may be marked as DS (don&#39;t show) but still stays in the list. However, those with DS are put at the bottom of the list and they are made un-selectable until DS button is clicked again. 
         [0421]    10. After going to SHARE or ADD TO FAVORITE screens, and after clicking DONE button on these pages, user should be able to go back to where they clicked those buttons. 
         [0422]    11. in all screens, HOME means the Main Folder page as setup in the SETTINGS 
         [0423]    12. the START PAGE is the one that gives user to select different Themes. START PAGE can be access from the MAIN PAGE of C, T, F, P 
         [0424]    13. The theme name is always displayed at the top and it is a clickable button to access to the start page that displays subscribed and other themes that can be subscribed. 
         [0425]    14. Category name is displayed below the theme, and article name is displayed next to category name, always in that order. 
         [0426]    15. on Main screen the theme is displayed and below that is the name of the navigational box selected. If categories box was selected, then “category” be displayed below. If favorites box selected, then “favorites” should be below the theme name. 
         [0427]    16. on List screen, display theme name, and below display the specific selected category name. Below should be the class, type, and scope of the category. Article screens starts similar to list screens. However, there are some exceptions on personal folder when displaying for example inbox. 
         [0428]    17. At the bottom, for most screens the main navigation box should be displayed for selecting five different folders; Category, Top USA (Users/SponsorsArticles), Favorites, Personal, and Search. Clicking any of these buttons highlights that folder and take user to the Main screen, except for Top Articles, where user should be taken to the List screen. 
         [0429]    18. For Main and List screens, there are two navigational arrows at the top, one on right and one on left. The arrow on left typically takes user back to the previous page. For example, from Article, user goes back to the List screen, and from List screen back to the Main screen. The arrow on right is takes user from Main and List screens to the Settings screen. On Article screen, it takes user to the Share screen. 
         [0430]    19. For Article screen, there are two navigational arrows at the bottom, Next and Previous, which takes users to next and previous Articles. In addition many screens have a message box where appropriate messages are displayed. Message box is also shared as a text entry for Find operations to search keywords in current page. 
         [0431]    20. All data display pages have scrolling capability. However, all buttons/arrows/links at the top and bottom should always be accessible to the user. For all scrollable pages there should be buttons at the top labeled T (top) and B (bottom) to access to the top or bottom of the scrollable page quickly. 
         [0432]    21. Each screen has a button on top right, i (information) to access more information about that screen. Closing this information screen brings user back to the screen that user clicked on the button i. In info page user can also perform search based on key words. 
         [0433]    22. On all List screens where articles in a category are listed, there should be button to rate the category and to see the ratings by other users. On this List screen, user should also be able set an alert to follow the category. 
         [0434]    23. On all Article screens, there should be a button to rate the article and to see the rating of the article by other users. On this article screen, user should also be able to rate a user and set an alert to follow a user. 
         [0435]    24. All Main and List page columns should be sortable, two ways, newest to oldest and high to low are default. Clicking on column sorts it the opposite way. 
         [0436]    25. Following columns are clickable on all pages; USE RID or FROM, CATEGORY name, SUBJECT name. 
         [0437]    26. AF button stands for add to favorite and DS stands for don&#39;t show, valid for Categories or Articles. Adding to favorite means we mark the original article as F, not making a copy of the original article. Don&#39;t show for Categories means the category is marked as DS, and it should still show on the category list but should be de-highlighted such that user cannot click on it. To click on a category that was marked DA, user first has to click on DS to turn DS off. When a category is in DS status, it should not be synced with the system and it should retain it&#39;s content before user selected the DS status. When an article is marked as DS, the article name should be de-highlighted and cannot be selected until user clicks on DS again. 
         [0438]    27. Display on portable electronic hardware devices should support both portrait/vertical and landscape/horizontal display modes 
         [0439]    28. user should be able REDUCE/INCREASE FONT size works one size at a time 
         [0440]    29. user should be able to REVERSE FONT COLOR—goes from white background—black font to black background—white font 
         [0441]    30. Text and buttons should be implemented such that they can support Font size and color changes. 
         [0442]    31. on portable electronic hardware devices, MAIN/LIST PAGES: FULL SCREEN—if currently in Portrait mode, it changes into Landscape and adjust the font size if necessary, and if in Landscape mode, it stays in that mode but adjust font size. In both cases displays all columns. 
         [0443]    32. on portable electronic hardware devices, MAIN/LIST PAGES: FIT SCREEN—if currently in Portrait mode and if the columns do not fit into the screen using the current font size, TYPE and SCOPE columns are eliminated in display to make the fit and if necessary font size is adjusted, if currently in Landscape mode, all columns are displayed and font size is adjusted automatically if needed to fit into the screen. No column elimination is done. 
         [0444]    33. on ARTICLE PAGE: FULL PAGE—enlarges the article page to full screen 
         [0445]    34. on ARTICLE PAGE: FIT PAGE—brings the article page to original size 
         [0446]    35. all screens, there should be a way to go back to the screen where the user came from (back button, close button, etc.) 
         [0447]    36. user should be able to access Pulldown menu to select different display options. For example, user should be able to change font sizes using pulldown and change font and background color using pulldown 
         [0448]    37. title section at the top for Theme/Category/Article names (fixed/non-scrollable) 
         [0449]    38. New (N) CAT/ART and NR CAT/ART are always highlighted, until they become F, DS, or R (Read) 
         [0450]    39. CATEGORY/LIST PAGE: Data presentation using columns in the middle that is scrollable 
         [0451]    40. CATEGORY/LIST PAGE: If the data does not fit into screen, it can expand to the right so that it can be scrollable to the right, or display changes to landscape/horizontal to show all columns. User should also have an option to display limited data such that the data displayed fits into the regular screen without scrolling. This can be accomplished by SHOW ALL, FIT SCREEN buttons/pulldown menu. 
         [0452]    41. ARTICLE PAGE: Data presentation using a regular text page in the middle that is scrollable 
         [0453]    42. titles on each column should be highlighted (fixed/non-scrollable) 
         [0454]    43. the main navigation on the screen is through arrows at the top and folder buttons at the bottom (fixed/non-scrollable) 
         [0455]    44. navigation is also achieved through 
         [0456]    1. clickable special buttons like RATE CAT, FOLLOW CAT, RATE ART, etc. (fixed/non-scrollable) 
         [0457]    2. check boxes like AF, DS, or AF/DS buttons, etc. scrollable 
         [0458]    3. clickable links such as Theme name, Category name, Subject name, user name in data columns 
         [0459]    45. for ARTICLE PAGE: navigation is achieved through NEXT and PREVIOUS article buttons 
         [0460]    46. default buttons/selections should always be highlighted in different color/shade 
         [0461]    47. User can enter and search keywords on a page using a Find function, (&lt;=, =&gt;) 
         [0462]    48. user can Scroll on a text page using a scroll bar on a side 
         [0463]    49. Message box on a screen displays messages to user (this box is shared between message box and Find function) 
         [0464]    50. after each sort of columns by the user, system remembers the last one and display data using that sort until it is changed by the users 
         [0465]    51. similarly, system remembers the last selection through the Display pulldown menu until it is changed by the user 
         [0466]    52. PERSONAL MAIN SCREEN 
         [0467]    1. All PRI categories (PRI/MPRI) are displayed in PERSONAL FOLDER 
         [0468]    2. MPUB categories displayed in both PERSONAL FOLDER and CATEGORY FOLDER 
         [0469]    3. No PUB category is displayed in PERSONAL FOLDER 
         [0470]    4. No PRI category is displayed in CATEGORY FOLDER 
         [0471]    5. Clicking on a category opens up a screen similar to the CATEGORY LIST screen 
         [0472]    6. Then, clicking an article opens up a screen similar to the CATEGORY ARTICLE. 
         [0473]    7. Clicking on a personal message in INBOX opens up a screen same as the CATEGORY ARTICLE. 
         [0474]    Electronic hardware device can be portable or non-portable. In this document, some examples are given using a portable electronic device, for example, iPhone. 
         [0475]    How CAT/ART Goes from N to R Status 
         [0476]    1. if CAT with a Status N Opened by iphone User&gt;## sec (some constant time) 
         [0477]    1. Then, Change CAT Status from N to R 
         [0478]    2. if ART with a Status N Opened by iphone User&gt;## sec (based on an equation using the number of words in the article) 
         [0479]    1. Then, Change ART Status from N to R 
         [0480]    How Timer is Used to Track Usage 
         [0481]    1. Every time a THEME is Opened, start THEME timer 
         [0482]    1. Every time a THEME is Exited, stop the THEME timer, and record 
         [0483]    2. Every time a CAT is Opened, start CAT timer 
         [0484]    1. Every time a CAT is Exited, stop the CAT timer, and record 
         [0485]    3. Every time a ART is Opened, start ART timer 
         [0486]    1. Every time a ART is Exited, stop the ART timer, and record 
         [0487]    4. Every time user clicks on CATEGORIES folder, start CATEGORIES timer, and sop any other folder timer and record 
         [0488]    5. Every time user clicks on TOP USA folder, start TOP USA timer, and sop any other folder timer and record 
         [0489]    6. Every time user clicks on FAVORITES folder, start FAVORITES timer, and sop any other folder timer and record 
         [0490]    7. Every time user clicks on PERSONAL folder, start PERSONAL timer, and sop any other folder timer and record 
         [0491]    8. Every time user clicks on SEARCH folder, start SEARCH timer, and sop any other folder timer and record 
         [0492]    How Users are Selected which Sponsor Message to Receive 
         [0493]    1. sponsors can send private message once a day per CATEGORY that they are sponsoring. Each category can have maximum of 1 sponsor. 
         [0494]    1. to those user who agree to receive private messages from sponsors, or 
         [0495]    2. to those users who have not blocked the sponsor sending a message by selecting DS for that particular sponsor, or 
         [0496]    3. to those users who have selected sponsor as AF (favorite) 
         [0497]    4. then use the following rule (top categories calculated daily); 
         [0498]    1. if user agreed to receive  3  private sponsor messages 
         [0499]    1. and if the sponsor category is one of the top 3 categories that the user is participating 
         [0500]    2. if user agreed to receive  5  private sponsor messages 
         [0501]    1. and if the sponsor category is one of the top 5 categories that the user is participating 
         [0502]    3. if user agreed to receive  10  private sponsor messages 
         [0503]    1. and if the sponsor category is one of the top 10 categories that the user is participating 
         [0504]    2. if user is a SPONSOR, then user is enabled to select a user list named SPONSORLIST_CATID on PRI MESSAGE screen ( FIG. S7C ), which contains list of user who have agreed to receive private message from sponsors, and users who did not block the sponsor by selecting DS for that particular sponsor. The SPONSORLIST_CATID is valid for the particular Category that the sponsor is sponsoring. Once the private message using SPONSORLIST is used by the sponsor in a given calendar day, the selection is disabled until next calendar day. 
         [0505]    3. sponsor also has the option of posting one sponsor message in their category, but no limit on messages as a user. Sponsors will have an option to indicated if the message that they are posting is their sponsor message or a message as a general user (see FIG. S 3 H 2 ). Once sponsor use their sponsor message, then the sponsor message selection is disabled until the next calendar day. 
         [0506]    Summary of an Example Implementation of the Command “Add New Category” 
         [0507]    1. user fills out the form 
         [0508]    2. iphone request upload to admin during sync 
         [0509]    3. if public, an ID is issued to the NEW category and included within Theme during sync back to iphone 
         [0510]    4. if private, it is added to the Personal folder during sync back to iphone 
         [0511]    5. all invited are sent a message to their personal folder INBOX by the system (for subscribers) 
         [0512]    6. all invited sent an email message by the system (for non-subscribers) 
         [0513]    Add Category Detail Steps: 
         [0514]    1. user clicks on category name field 
         [0515]    1. user enters category name, as name is entered, which is empty as default (user can copy/cut/paste in this text box) 
         [0516]    2. iphone program checks for category name rules for validity (for example all capitalized first letters, limited characters like - and /, and numbers) and provides immediate feedback guiding the user for appropriate characters 
         [0517]    3. if number of characters in the category name is more than accepted, provides an immediate feedback 
         [0518]    4. if user selects another field other than selecting PRIVATE or PUBLIC buttons, a warning is given to the user one must be selected before proceeding. 
         [0519]    2. user MUST click on PUBLIC or PRIVATE button, where only one of them is selectable and highlights the selected one (initially neither buttons are highlighted, but selectable) 
         [0520]    1. if user changes the selected one, for example from PRIVATE (highlighted) to PUBLIC (unhighlighted) to PUBLIC (highlighted), then program automatically unhighlight the PRIVATE button. 
         [0521]    2. program stays in this routine until a selection is made 
         [0522]    1. if user tries to click on any other field on screen, a message is displayed to user to request them to make a selection first before proceeding. 
         [0523]    3. when user selects another field (indicating user is done with entering category name and made the PUBLIC/PRIVATE selection), iphone program checks for category name duplication, if exist provides an immediate feedback 
         [0524]    1. if PUBLIC was selected, iphone program calls a routine to connect to the web system and check system database for the category name duplication. 
         [0525]    1. if category name is duplicate, provide a list of alternative category names that may be close to the one entered so that user can select from. 
         [0526]    2. if PRIVATE was selected, iphone program checks the iphone database so that there is no duplication of category name 
         [0527]    3. if category name is okay, a check mark is shown next to the name, if not an immediate feedback given showing the duplicate name 
         [0528]    4. if category name is not okay, a warning is given to the user and the cursor goes to the category name field, and process repeat from step 1.1 above. 
         [0529]    3. user may create a new list 
         [0530]    1. user clicks on “create or update userid . . . ” space, which is empty as a default (in this box, as in all text boxes, user has the ability to copy/cut/paste, etc.) 
         [0531]    1. program turns “delete” button off/un-selectable and “save” button on/selectable 
         [0532]    2. user enters userids separated by comma 
         [0533]    3. iphone program checks for userid name rules for validity (for example all capital letters, limited characters like - and /, and numbers, and number of min/max characters in a userid), checks for comma separating userids and provides feedback immediately 
         [0534]    4. iphone program checks for valid email (like @ sign, .com/.net, etc.) and provides feedback immediately 
         [0535]    2. user enters a new list name 
         [0536]    1. user enters a list name, which is empty as a default 
         [0537]    2. iphone program checks for valid list name (like number of characters, duplicate names, etc.) and provides immediate feedback 
         [0538]    3. user clicks on save and iphone program calls a routine to connect to the web system and check system database for the userid name exist and correct. 
         [0539]    1. if any userid is not correct, provide a list of userids that may be close to the one entered so that user can select from. 
         [0540]    4. if user clicks on any other button, iphone program warns user to save their list, but provide an option to save or cancel the creation of list. 
         [0541]    4. user may update or delete a list 
         [0542]    1. user clicks on pulldown menu to select a name from the list, which is empty as a default 
         [0543]    2. when a list name is selected, all the userids and emails saved in this list are displayed on the “create or update userid . . . ” box 
         [0544]    3. user may click on “delete” button, in that case a message is displayed to confirm that list will be deleted. Once it is confirmed, list is deleted and an empty list box is displayed. Here user may go to step 3 or 4 above. 
         [0545]    4. user may update the list by clicking on the “create or update userid . . . ” box. 
         [0546]    1. user may delete userid or email from the list 
         [0547]    2. user may add a userid or email (procedure is same as step 3 above. 
         [0548]    3. if user clicks on any other button, iphone program warns user to save their list, but provide an option to save or cancel the updating the list. 
         [0549]    5. user selects a list using pulldown, or enter one or more userid or email, separated with comma. 
         [0550]    1. as userid and email is entered, iphone program checks if they are valid as described before 
         [0551]    6. Category name is shown in the invitation message (a check mark next to the name indicates it has been validated) 
         [0552]    7. user enters message to the message box 
         [0553]    8. user clicks “done” button, 
         [0554]    1. all data is verified and saved in iphone database, we create a queues (for email and userids) in iphone to send the message to all invited people 
         [0555]    2. if category name and userids have been verified and correct, 
         [0556]    1. email que information is passed to the web system immediately through sync, and through web system, message goes to their email address, (we use special templates with additional information and link about the application to these users for them to subscribe to the application) 
         [0557]    2. userid queue information is passed to the web system immediately through sync, and through web system message goes to iphone application inbox of users (we use special template for this purpose, where user will have the option to accept or decline the invitation) 
         [0558]    3. screen is closed 
         [0559]    9. user can click the “cancel” button any time to cancel the creation of the new category. User is displayed a message asking to confirm that they would like to cancel. If they click “okay”, the category is cancelled. 
         [0560]    Sync Summary 
         [0561]    As the portable or non-portable electronic hardware device is used, all activities related to communication and management of content is captured and stored in local database. Then this content is loaded into the main system database. As content, activities, statistics, etc. are collected and aggregated, it is then distributed back to the user&#39;s electronic hardware device. This process of uploading data from user electronic hardware device to the system database and back downloading to the user electronic hardware device is described here is synchronization (sync). 
         [0562]    Electronic hardware device can be portable or non-portable. In this document, sync process summary is given using a portable electronic device, for example, iPhone. See also  FIG. 4  for an example sync process using iPhone.
       sync can be initiated when the APPS (application software) is opened, periodically by iphone, and/or manually initiated by the iphone user   iphone to web; (manually by user or auto)   sync starts auto when the application software is opened   sync starts auto periodically based on timer set in SETTINGS   sync starts manually, for example based on user clicking SYNC DATA NOW button   sync starts automatically after there is a specific user action, like;   post/reply/forward CAT/ART, send PRI message, share, tell, refer, suggest, report   web to iphone; (by Admin/system)   I want data   I have data   I want to stop sync   I want to erase data   I want to restore data   I want to check Local Time   I want to check location   I want to change email   I want to change password, etc.   after transfer of data in both ways, there are other tasks run, or initiated by the sync, before exiting in, for example;   in iphone: initiate change in status of CAT/ART N to NR   in system/Web: send/perform tasks like post, reply, share, email, etc.   in system/Web: update statistics like Credits for user before transferring to iphone       
 
         [0584]    General Sync Rules
       Check if APPS is Open,   if YES, Do NOT Sync during APPS is Open   Unless, Manually Requested by the iphone USER   Unless, Manually Requested by the Admin (for example, in cases where iphone is stolen and Admin is checking the location, or erasing data)   if NO,   First, Sync iphone to Web, AND Update Stats   Next, Sync Web to iphone   keep track of last sync date/time, and keep track of date/time when Application was last used. Then,   when a new time based automatic sync starts, and if Apps was not opened since the last sync, then no upload from iphone to web is needed, and download new category and articles and statistics from web to iphone.   sync web to iphone;   Download new Category if system Category ID#&gt;iPhone Category ID# in a Theme   Download new Article if the system Article ID#&gt;iPhone Article ID# in a Category   sync automatically when there is a specific user action, like;   post, reply, forward, share, tell, refer, suggest, report, send PRI message       
 
         [0599]    After Apps Downloaded First Time. During the Sync
       Check user Agreed to USER TERMS   Check user filled out email, userid, first and last names   Check user email and userid are unique   Check if user selected Sponsor and verify with the system   Check user&#39;s email address and compare it with the emails list of current user recommend/told/invited/etc.   if YES, give credit to current user       
 
         [0606]    Some Logic for the Sync
       if APPS Last Close D,T (Date.Time)&gt;Last Sync D,T       
 
         [0608]    (meaning APPS was opened by the user after the last sync with the iphone)
       Then, perform Sync both ways (iphone to Web, and Web to iphone)   if APPS Last Close D,T&lt;Last Sync D,T       
 
         [0611]    (meaning APPS was not opened by the user after the last sync with iphone)
       Then perform Sync Web to iphone only.   When Exiting APPS, mark APPS Last Close D,T   When Current Sync Completes all of its tasks, Update Last Sync D,T before Exiting       
 
         [0615]    How CAT/ART Goes from N Status to Nr Status
       if APPS Last Close D,T (Date.Tlme)&gt;Last Sync D,T   if CAT/ART Status is N, AND   if Current Sync D (Date)&gt;OR=Last Sync D+1 (meaning it has been a calendar day after the last sync, for example like 12:01 AM, right after midnight and the date has increased by at least one, for example from 03, Tuesday to 04, Wednesday. NOTE: for this function to work properly, we need to use the Local Time, and that means before we do any sync operation, we need to find out the Local Time. I think this can be done by finding the location of the user.)   Then, CAT/ART Status changes From N to NR (however, CAT/ART still stays highlighted)       
 
         [0620]    Download CAT and ART from Web to IPhone
       For a Theme,   if Biggest Web CAT ID#&gt;Biggest iphone CAT ID#,   Then, Load CAT to iphone AND Mark it NEW   For a CAT,   if Biggest Web ART ID#&gt;Biggest iphone ART ID#,   Then, Load ART to iphone AND Mark it NEW   CAT ID# starts from 1 and increases by 1 every time a new CAT is added to a Theme   ART ID# starts from 1 and increases by 1 every time a new ART is added to a Category       
 
         [0629]    Some Checks Will be Done
       if MANUAL SYNC is ON in iphone, AND   IF Last Sync D&gt;CD-# (# could be any constant like 7, CD is Current Date),   Then send a Warning email to User/Admin/Customer Support (perhaps the user forgot to turn on the sync or forgot to manual sync!)   if Last APPS Close D&gt;CD-7       
 
         [0634]    Then send a Warning email to User/Admin/Customer Support (perhaps user needs help to get going!) 
         [0635]    Some Comments on Implementation of Sync 
         [0636]    sync structure may be implemented using queues;
       data stored in queue in iphone for each data to be stored in web   sync program passes/extracts data from queue as FIFO   as all data extracted, queue is cleared   If user opens the application, during a auto sync (display a message that a sync is in progress), and   complete ALL the sync functions (iphone to web and web to iphone)   in some cases, it is possible to just complete iphone to web and stop.       
 
         [0643]    Things that Sync Will Need to Transfer from Iphone to Web System: 
         [0644]    1) Any Change in SETTINGS 
         [0645]    1) USER SETTINGS 
         [0646]    2) USAGE SETTINGS 
         [0647]    3) SPONSOR SETTINGS 
         [0648]    once approved user cannot change USERID, EMAIL, FIRST, LAST NAME. 
         [0649]    2) Any new Content or Stat 
         [0650]    1) READ (ART or CAT) 
         [0651]    2) FAVORITE (ART OR CAT) 
         [0652]    3) DS (ART or CAT) 
         [0653]    4) FOLLOW (USER or CAT) 
         [0654]    5) BLOCK USER 
         [0655]    6) POST, REPLY, or FORWARD (CAT) 
         [0656]    7) SEND PRI MESSAGE (PERSONAL) 
         [0657]    8) REPLY or FORWARD (PERSONAL) 
         [0658]    9) RATE (CATEGORY, ARTICLE, or USER) 
         [0659]    10) SHARE (EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE, t, f, OR I) 
         [0660]    11) TELL, REFER, SUGGEST, REPORT 
         [0661]    12) READ SPONSOR MESSAGE (CAT) 
         [0662]    13) READ SPONSOR MESSAGE (INBOX) 
         [0663]    3) Any new 
         [0664]    1) CAT (PUB OR PRI) 
         [0665]    2) INVITE 
         [0666]    4) Any new Theme SETTINGS 
         [0667]    5) Any new Status changes (CAT or ART) 
         [0668]    Things that Sync Will Need to Transfer from Web System to Iphone: 
         [0669]    1) New CAT OR ART 
         [0670]    2) CREDITS 
         [0671]    3) Stats (Numbers, RATING, or RANKING) (THEME, CAT, ARTICLE, or USER) 
         [0672]    4) New or Updated INFO PAGES 
         [0673]    5) Program Update 
         [0674]    6) PERSONAL Folder Info 
         [0675]    7) Special ADMIN Commands 
         [0676]    1) Erase (DATA and INFO) 
         [0677]    2) Update USER EMAIL or PASSWORD 
         [0678]    3) Get Location INFO 
         [0679]    Admin General— FIG. 27-39  and  FIG. 53 . 
         [0680]      FIG. 27  shows the conceptual hierarchy of the data for categories and articles and type of data/information being stored for each category and article. Top diagram is the main menu that maybe available to admin for interface. Below that are the category and article representations. 
         [0681]    ADMIN screens ( FIG. 28  through  FIG. 39 ) describes the general functionality and user interface for administrative work. This is where content and user related work is controlled by the administrators. All the tabs are based on a selected Theme. For most tabs it is possible to select “ALL” in THEMES pulldown menu, instead of a Specific Theme to display information for all themes combined. For many of the columns, the filtering capability enables admin to display ALL or only the selected set of information. In addition filters, keyword search capability can be used to locate any information. 
         [0682]    PRODUCTION LIST screen ( FIG. 28 ) displays all the articles in production area ready to be downloaded to user electronic hardware devices during their next sync. PRODUCTION CATEGORIES screen ( FIG. 29 ) display the categories in production, however administrator can select a category name to see the list of all articles in production within that category. Basically, in Production Categories, admin is looking at the same information as in the Production List, except it is presented differently. 
         [0683]    HOLDING STAGE screen ( FIG. 30 ) is where all the articles and categories that were either created by the admin or imported in get ready to be move into the production stage. Admin can add categories or articles by clicking on ADD ART/CAT button. When it is added by the admin, category will have a class NP (none personal), and both article and category will have their rate and rank set to null, author will designate Admin, and date/time will reflect the date/time that the article or category was added by the admin. Admin also can import articles to the holding stage by clicking the IMPORT ARTICLES button, which opens up a dialog box with browsing capability to locate the file to be imported. A common format, like comma delimited text file can be used for the importing of articles. Creation date and time are also expected to be imported along with the content. When an article or category created by a user, they will also have null rating and ranking information. However, the creation date and time will reflect the actual date time that they were created by the user in their electronic hardware device. When MOVE TO PRODUCTION button is clicked, all the articles selected will be moved into production. When moving to production stage, all categories and articles will be assigned an ID automatically by the system based on their creation date and time. IDs will be generated in increments of one from the last category or article that was already in production. Once the articles and categories are moved to production stage, they are removed from the holding stage. Note that when an article or category is deleted, they go into “deleted” status, but are not removed from the list. However, those deleted cannot be moved into the production stage. Admin can also edit any category or article information by clicking on the ARTICLE NAME or CATEGORY NAME. 
         [0684]    SUBMIT STAGE screen ( FIG. 31 ) shows all the articles and categories submitted by users that requires admin attention. Here, number of checks performed by the administrator, before moving them to the holding stage. 
         [0685]    Typically, an article submitted by the user will be copied from the user electronic hardware device to the system database. Then, after processing by the system, the article maybe included in the Submit Stage or in the Production Stage (See  FIG. 52 ). Here is control logic behind processing the articles; 
         [0686]    1. NEW ARTICLE: if user is “okay” box is checked, article has no offensive words, article is moved into the PRODUCTION STAGE automatically with no changes. 
         [0687]    2. NEW ARTICLE: if user is “okay” box is checked, but articles has 1 or 2 minor offensive words, offensive words are modified or deleted automatically by the system using an OFFENSIVE WORD library, and article is moved into the PRODUCTION STAGE, a warning message goes to user inbox for the use of offensive words. If user had three articles with offensive words, the user is “okay” box is automatically unchecked by the system. Accept/Reject column indicates if the articles was accepted or rejected. Otherwise this column shows a question mark, indicating it requires admin attention. 
         [0688]    3. NEW ARTICLE: if user is “okay” box is checked, but article has more than 2 offensive words or any non-minor offensive words, article is moved into the SUBMIT STAGE. Admin may replace offensive words using the OFFENSIVE WORD library and move article to PRODUCTION STAGE, or reject the article and send a message to the user inbox with a warning. If user had three articles with offensive words, the user is “okay” box is automatically unchecked by the system. Accept/Reject column indicates if the articles was accepted or rejected. Otherwise this column shows a question mark, indicating it requires admin attention. 
         [0689]    4. NEW ARTICLE: if user is “okay” box is not checked, article is moved into the SUBMIT STAGE. After review, if exist, admin may replace offensive words using the OFFENSIVE WORD library and move article to PRODUCTION STAGE, or reject the article and send a message to the user inbox with a warning. Accept/Reject column indicates if the articles was accepted or rejected. Otherwise this column shows a question mark, indicating it requires admin attention. 
         [0690]    Then, in Submit Stage, admin can select the Accepted articles and move them to production by clicking on the MOVE TO PRODUCTION button. Articles that moved into production stage are removed from the SUBMIT STAGE. Note that moving article to production stage involves creation of unique ID automatically by the system based on the creation date and time. Rejected articles or articles that have question mark in their Accept/Reject column cannot be moved to production until they become accepted. 
         [0691]    For handling categories, following control logic is applied: 
         [0692]    1. NEW CATEGORY: if the new category is a private one (PRI), category is moved into the PRODUCTION STAGE automatically with no changes. 
         [0693]    2. NEW CATEGORY: if the new category is a sponsored one (SPO) or a public one (PUB), category is moved into the SUBMIT STAGE with a question mark in Accept/Reject column requiring admin attention. Admin checks the proposed category name by clicking on using CHECK OFFENSIVE WORD button which uses an OFFENSIVE WORD library, and checks for category name duplication by clicking on the CHECK DUPLICATE NAMES button. In case of offensive word or duplication of names, admin may reject the proposed category. System also provides a dialog box with a list of categories that has a name that is close to the propose category name, as well as those that has similar category type and scope. If admin determines that there is already a category that is similar to the proposed category, admin may reject the proposed category. A message is sent to the user indicating that the proposed category has been rejected with the reason. If the proposed category is accepted, a message is sent to the user indicating the acceptance of the proposed category. The accepted category is then moved into the production stage by clicking on the MOVE TO PRODUCTION button. 
         [0694]    CURRENT USERS Screen ( FIG. 32 ) contains all the user related data for viewing. When needed, admin can make changes in the user data. This is the screen where Admin can check or uncheck the user okay and sync okay boxes, user okay box is used in article submission process, and sync okay box is used when there are registration or subscription issues with the user. 
         [0695]    Within the Current Users screen, the pulldown menu, SPECIAL CONTROL, enables admin to execute special commands that can be executed during sync. 
         [0696]    Special Control capabilities includes:
       admin can to send messages to any user through their INBOX   admin can request download of all user information from iphone   admin can request delete of all user information and Personal folder information   admin can request location information   admin can restore users last synced information back to iphone   admin can change web or iphone users, like from user to sponsor, etc       
 
         [0703]    POTENTIAL USERS Screen ( FIG. 33 ) contains list of emails and names submitted by the current users. Whenever a current user submits first time a referral for a user, or told about us to another user, or invite another user, message is collected from the electronic hardware device by the web services during sync and processed automatically and sent to those potential users. The original message includes comments by the user as well as messages and links from the system. The email format is a predetermined template. For follow ups with the potential users, admin may send additional messages using this Potential User screen. 
         [0704]    When the R/T/I (Referred/Told/Invited) column is clicked, the content of the message sent is displayed. To edit the R/T/I templates, user selects the R or T or I from the R/T/I TEMPLATE (default none or blank) column and clicks on EDIT TEMPLATE to view and edit the content. Admin can also create a new custom template, name it and send a message to the potential user using the saved custom template. 
         [0705]    After the first automatic system message to the potential user, STATUS shows NEW. After another message is sent to the potential user by the admin, status is changed to ACTIVE. When a user is registered, system checks their name and email against the potential users list. If there is a match, the original user that submitted the potential user contact information gets a credit, and the potential user&#39;s status is changed to CONVERTED. In some conditions, admin may delete the potential user contact information. The contact information actually stays in the list, but the status is changed to DELETED. 
         [0706]    CANCELLED USER screen ( FIG. 34 ) display a list of users who haver cancelled their registration. This screen is similar to the screen for POTENTIAL USERS screen with capabilities to send messages to the cancelled users. 
         [0707]    INFO PAGES screen ( FIG. 35 ) contains all the info pages for each screen on user electronic hardware device. Info pages are synced with electronic hardware device every time there is a change in any info pages. This is controlled by the info page version. 
         [0708]    All info pages are in reality a single page. However, links are provided from every screen to the info page sections such that when a user clicks on info button on any screen of the electronic hardware device, appropriate section of the info page is displayed on screen. User can scroll up an down to read that section or any other section in the info pages. Admin can navigate to specific screens of the info pages using the navigation provided in this INFO PAGES screen. 
         [0709]    When a new screen is created by the programmers, a corresponding info page appears here on the INFO PAGES tab of ADMIN interface under the NEW PAGES AND OTHER SCREENS columns. Or when a program update was made to any given screen which requires a updated documentation, it shows up under UPDATED PAGES column. In both cases a flag is set by a program on these columns, which requires info page to be updated or written. 
         [0710]    PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS screen ( FIG. 36 ) contains user feedback. Admin interface is similar to the POTENTIAL USERS screen, where admin can follow user suggestions and problems and communicate with the users. 
         [0711]    REGULAR CONSTANTS screen ( FIG. 37 ) contains all the constants that determine the amount of credit a user will receive based on the action that they would take. Admin can make changes to these constants. 
         [0712]    SPONSOR CONSTANTS screen ( FIG. 38 ) contains information about the sponsors as well as the additional constants that are used specifically for that sponsor, and some general information about the category and usage. Columns are editable and admin can enter new sponsors as needed and save the information. As the sponsor registers to the system through their electronic hardware device, their registration will be checked against the information on the SPONSOR CONSTANT screen to allow certain capabilities that only sponsors can have. 
         [0713]    RELEASE VERSION screen ( FIG. 39 ) contains all the different release information and a list of fixes for that version for a given theme and for a specific user electronic hardware device. 
         [0714]    SPECIAL SETUP SCREEN ( FIG. 53 ) enables admin to setup access capabilities to different users for different screens of the admin user interface. Any user with access to any admin capabilities will require a userid and a password to access. 
         [0715]    Electronic hardware device can be portable or non-portable. In this document, some examples are given using a portable electronic device, for example, iPhone. 
         [0716]    Start Page 
         [0717]    1.—if a new Theme is subscribed, ask user if; 
         [0718]    1.—Personal folder should be shared or create a new one specific to this Theme 
         [0719]    2.—MyPRIList should be shared 
         [0720]    3.—Blocked user list should be shared 
         [0721]    4.—Follow Userid should be shared 
         [0722]    5.—user settings should be shared 
         [0723]    6.—usage settings should be shared 
         [0724]    Sort Columns 
         [0725]    2.—sort alphabetically, numerically, or date, two ways 
         [0726]    3.—sort dates from newest to oldest (default) or oldest to newest 
         [0727]    4.—sort numbers from high to low (default), or low to high 
         [0728]    5.—sort alphabetically from A to Z (default) or Z to A 
         [0729]    6.—after sort, categories or articles with DS are always at the bottom 
         [0730]    7.—case insensitive 
         [0731]    Add Favorite Screen 
         [0732]    8.—either type in a new category name or select from a list using the pull down menu 
         [0733]    9.—or, instead of pull down, as new category names entered, it show below for selection on a scrollable page 
         [0734]    Rate Screen 
         [0735]    10.—it is used either for CATEGORY, ARTICLE, or USERID 
         [0736]    11.—depending on the button clicked like RATE CAT, RATE ART, RATE USER, all the data and labels are displayed accordingly 
         [0737]    12.—rating buttons all unhighlighted at the beginning and when clicked it is highlighted. only one can be selectable 
         [0738]    13.—userid doing the review is entered automatically 
         [0739]    14.—user selects rating, enters comments, selects if user wants to have this info be sent as a message to his/her RATEBOX 
         [0740]    Share Screen 
         [0741]    15.—share screen is used for sharing this message with people outside the system 
         [0742]    16.—user can share in five different ways; EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, &amp; LINKEIN 
         [0743]    17.—depending on the selection, a new screen will be presented which may require userid and password to login 
         [0744]    18.—LIST BUILDER is a capability for user to build lists that contain EMAIL addresses, and save/delete and use them later 
         [0745]    19.—user can instead enter one or more EMAIL addresses without entering them into the list builder 
         [0746]    20.—for text messaging, one or multiple phone numbers can be entered 
         [0747]    21.—user can enter the message in a scrollable page above the original message 
         [0748]    22.—the original message is also in a separate scrollable page 
         [0749]    23.—when user clicks SEND, the new and original messages are sent and screen stays so that user can share it using other methods as well 
         [0750]    24.—all messages include standard template, providing information about the application and the theme 
         [0751]    25.—when user clicks CLOSE, screen is closed and user is taken back to the page that they clicked the SHARE button 
         [0752]    Reply-Post Screen 
         [0753]    26.—user selects either REPLY or POST 
         [0754]    27.—when REPLY is selected, SUBJECT starts with REP: and cannot be changed. 
         [0755]    28.—when POST is selected, user can enter a SUBJECT name 
         [0756]    29.—user then enters the message in a scrollable page 
         [0757]    30.—the original message is displayed on this screen as a reference only, which is also in a separate scrollable page, but is not posted to the category 
         [0758]    Forward Screen 
         [0759]    31.—user selects either USER or CATEGORY to forward the message 
         [0760]    32.—when USER is selected, LIST NAME can be selected for list of USERIDs or enter one or more USERIDs 
         [0761]    33.—when CATEGORY is selected, a category name is entered or selected from a category list 
         [0762]    34.—when USER is selected and user clicks SEND, the new and original messages are sent to the INBOX of USERID or list of USERIDs, and screen stays so that user can forward it to other users or category as well 
         [0763]    35.—when CATEGORY is selected and user clicks SEND, the new and original messages are posted to the CATEGORY and screen stays so that user can forward it to other users or category as well 
         [0764]    Update Invitation Screen 
         [0765]    36.—currently invited USERID, List, and EMAILS are shown 
         [0766]    37.—using the ADD button, user can add additional USERID, List and EMAILS, or 
         [0767]    38.—using the REMOVE button, user can remove one or more USERID, List, and EMAILS 
         [0768]    39.—after clicking ADD or REMOVE buttons, screen stays so that user can add or remove additional people 
         [0769]    40.—message box shows messages after each action, like additional people added or removed 
         [0770]    Add Category Screen 
         [0771]    41.—user must select either PRIVATE or PUBLIC 
         [0772]    42.—LIST BUILDER is a capability for user to build lists that contain USERID or EMAIL addresses, and save/delete and use them later 
         [0773]    43.—user can instead enter one or more USERID or EMAIL addresses without entering them into the list builder 
         [0774]    44.—user selects the CATEGORY CLASS, TYPE and SCOPE from the pulldown menu 
         [0775]    Inbox Article Screen 
         [0776]    45.—REPLY—sends a message back to the USERID that sent the original message, user has option to include the original message 
         [0777]    46.—FORWARD—sends a message to another USERID 
         [0778]    Search Screen 
         [0779]    47.—if SEARCH was clicked from MAIN page, then SEARCH CAT is automatically displayed in pulldown menu in SEARCH screen. But user can change it through pulldown menu. 
         [0780]    48.—if SEARCH was clicked from ARTICLE page, then SEARCH ART is automatically displayed. But user can change it through pulldown menu. 
         [0781]    49.—user can save any search setup by typing a new search name, and re-use it by selecting it using the pulldown menu. 
         [0782]    50.—user must select either CAT for Category, ART for Article, or USER for User search 
         [0783]    51.—user can search either the current page where the SEARCH button was clicked, or all the pages in the database. 
         [0784]    52.—user can select either CATEGORY TYPE “ALL” or only one of the Types from the pulldown menu. 
         [0785]    53. After searching for CATEGORY, result page is similar as the CATEGORY MAIN page clicking on category in this page opens up a CATEGORY LIST PAGE, and clicking on an article opens up a screen same as the CATEGORY ARTICLE. 
         [0786]    54. After searching for ARTICLE, result page is the SEARCH LIST SCREEN. Clicking on the article (SUBJECT) opens up a screen same as the CATEGORY ARTICLE. Clicking on the CATEGORY opens up the category screen using the CATEGORY MAIN page. 
         [0787]    55. After searching for USER, clicking on the USERID opens up the PRI MESSAGE screen with the SEND PRI MESSAGE option highlighted. 
         [0788]    Find/Message: 
         [0789]    56.—This box is used for two purposes. Find is used to search keywords on the current page. As user types, keywords are displayed immediately. The forward and backward arrows are used to highlight the next or previous found keyword. In addition, this box maybe used to display messages when there is a user action. Here are some examples of Find searches; 
         [0790]    1. in MAIN PAGE: Category Name, highlights matching category names 
         [0791]    2. in LIST PAGE: Subject Name, User Name, highlights matching subject or user names 
         [0792]    3. in ARTICLE PAGE: any keyword in an article content is highlighted 
         [0793]    4. in INFO PAGE: any keyword in info pages content is highlighted 
         [0794]    USER NAVIGATIONAL FLOW (on portable or non-portable electronic hardware device) 
         [0795]    1. user registers and downloads the application 
         [0796]    2. 1st screen is displayed ( FIG. 51 ) 
         [0797]    3. user is directed to USER RULES AND GUIDELINES page ( FIG. 59L ) in SETTINGS ( FIG. 46 ) 
         [0798]    1. user must review and accept USER RULES AND GUIDELINES (Figure S 9 L) 
         [0799]    1. if user does not read and accept the rules and guidelines, user cannot go further and use the application is disabled. 
         [0800]    2. once user accepts the USER RULES AND GUIDELINES, user is directed to TUTORIAL or SETTINGS main screen 
         [0801]    3. on SETTINGS screen user can select either USER TUTORIALS or USER SETTINGS. All other links are disabled until user fills out the required information in USER SETTINGS screen 
         [0802]    2. user may navigate to USER TUTORIALS to learn about the application 
         [0803]    1. user is directed to USER SETTINGS or SETTINGS main screen 
         [0804]    3. user must set up USER SETTINGS ( FIG. 48 ) 
         [0805]    1. if user does not fill out the required information on this screen, user cannot to HOME screen (HOME screen is disabled until the required USER SETTINGS information is filled out) 
         [0806]    2. once user fills out the required information and click on button SAVE, electronic hardware device initiates a communication (sync) with the main system and provides the user information for approval. System verifies unique USERID and EMAIL and registers the user. If USERID or EMAIL is not unique, user is displayed a message to change them until approved by the system. 
         [0807]    3. once the system approves the unique USERID and EMAIL, all links in SETTINGS screens are enabled, and user can navigate within SETTINGS screens freely and also navigate to the HOME screen. 
         [0808]    4. user is highly recommended to set up USAGE SETTINGS ( FIG. 49 ) 
         [0809]    5. user may review and set ALERTS ( FIG. 23 ) 
         [0810]    6. user may review status of CREDITS and how can earn more credits ( FIG. 16 ) 
         [0811]    7. user may review SPONSOR SETTINGS and make change ( FIG. 44 ) 
         [0812]    8. user may review STATISTICS ( FIG. 50 ) 
         [0813]    9. user may review VERSION information 
         [0814]    10. through the main SETTINGS screen ( FIG. 46 ), user can navigate within SETTINGS environment until they feel ready to move to the main application screen by clicking on the HOME link 
         [0815]    11. default HOME screen is CATEGORY ( FIG. 22 ). User can change the default screen in USAGE SETTINGS screen to TOP USA ( FIG. S4B ), FAVORITES ( FIG. S5A ), PERSONAL ( FIG. 42 ) or SEARCH ( FIG. 45 ) screens (also referred as C, T, F, P, S and Folders). 
         [0816]    12. on all HOME screens (C, T, F, P, S), user has the option to go back to the SETTINGS screens. 
         [0817]    4. CATEGORY Main, system default HOME, screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0818]    1. user can navigate to START screen ( FIG. 21 ) by clicking on START arrow link or by clicking on THEME name on top of the screen. 
         [0819]    1. On the START screen user can navigate to any of the other Themes that user has already registered by clicking on the Theme icon, or user can click on any of the other Theme icons that user has not registered yet, and user is directed to the new Theme Signup screen. On the new Theme Signup screen, user is given information about the Theme, which user can continue with registration, or clicks cancel to go back to the START screen. 
         [0820]    2. user may navigate to main SETTINGS screen by clicking on SETTINGS link top right of screen 
         [0821]    3. user may navigate to INFORMATION pages (i) by clicking on (i) link at top right of screen 
         [0822]    4. user may navigate between following links (Folders) at the bottom of the screen by clicking them 
         [0823]    1. CATEGORY screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0824]    2. TOP USA screen ( FIG. S4B ) 
         [0825]    3. FAVORITE screen ( FIG. S5A ) 
         [0826]    4. PERSONAL screen ( FIG. 42 ) 
         [0827]    5. SEARCH screen ( FIG. 45 ) 
         [0828]    5. user may navigate to specific Category by clicking on the CATEGORY (CAT) NAME 
         [0829]    6. user may navigate within the CATEGORY Main page by using buttons like TOP/BOTTOM (T/B) and using the FIND button at the bottom of the screen. User can also sort columns by clicking to the headers section of the column. 
         [0830]    7. user may change the display characteristics of the screen by selecting an option from the DISPLAY pulldown menu. 
         [0831]    8. user may navigate within the Category Main page by scrolling up and down by using a scrolling bar or by using a hand motion in electronic hardware devices that supports that capability. 
         [0832]    5. CATEGORY Lists screen ( FIG. 14 ) 
         [0833]    1. user can navigate to START screen ( FIG. 21 ) by clicking on THEME name on top of the screen. 
         [0834]    2. user may navigate to main SETTINGS screen by clicking on SETTINGS arrow link on top right of the screen. 
         [0835]    3. user may navigate to INFORMATION pages (i) by clicking on (i) link at top right of screen 
         [0836]    4. user may navigate between following links (Folders) at the bottom of the screen by clicking them 
         [0837]    1. CATEGORY screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0838]    2. TOP USA screen ( FIG. S4B ) 
         [0839]    3. FAVORITE screen ( FIG. S5A ) 
         [0840]    4. PERSONAL screen ( FIG. 42 ) 
         [0841]    5. SEARCH screen ( FIG. 45 ) 
         [0842]    5. user may navigate to specific Article by clicking on the ARTICLE (ART) NAME ( FIG. 19 ) 
         [0843]    6. user may navigate within the CATEGORY List page by using buttons like TOP/BOTTOM (T/B) and using the FIND button at the bottom of the screen. User can also sort columns by clicking to the headers section of the column. 
         [0844]    7. user may navigate to USER PAGE ( FIG. S8D ) by clicking on the USERID, under the FROM column. Closing the USER PAGE will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the USERID. 
         [0845]    8. user may post a new article. Clicking on the POST NEW button will navigate user to the REPLY/POST screen ( FIG. S3H ). On REPLY/POST screen, clicking the SEND/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the POST NEW button. 
         [0846]    9. user may change the display characteristics of the screen by selecting an option from the DISPLAY pulldown menu. 
         [0847]    10. user may Rate the Category by clicking on the RATE CAT button and the user will be taken to the RATE Screen ( FIG. 15 ). On RATE screen, clicking the SUBMIT/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the RATE CAT button. 
         [0848]    11. user may Follow the Category by clicking on the FOLLOW CAT button and the user will be taken to the ALERT/FOLLOW SETTINGS Screen ( FIG. 23 ). On ALERT/FOLLOW SETTINGS Screen, clicking the CLOSE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the FOLLOW CAT button. 
         [0849]    12. user may navigate within the Category List page by scrolling up and down by using a scrolling bar or by using a hand motion in electronic hardware devices that supports that capability. 
         [0850]    6. CATEGORY Article Screen ( FIG. 19 ) 
         [0851]    1. user can navigate to START screen ( FIG. 21 ) by clicking on THEME name on top of the screen. 
         [0852]    2. user may navigate to SHARE screen ( FIG. 20 ) by clicking on SHARE arrow link on top right of the screen. On SHARE screen, clicking the CLOSE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the SHARE button. 
         [0853]    3. user may navigate to INFORMATION pages (i) by clicking on (i) link at top right of screen 
         [0854]    4. user may navigate between following links (Folders) at the bottom of the screen by clicking them 
         [0855]    1. CATEGORY screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0856]    2. TOP USA screen ( FIG. S4B ) 
         [0857]    3. FAVORITE screen ( FIG. S5A ) 
         [0858]    4. PERSONAL screen ( FIG. 42 ) 
         [0859]    5. SEARCH screen ( FIG. 45 ) 
         [0860]    5. user may navigate back to CATEGORY List screen ( FIG. 14 ) by clicking CATEGORY LIST arrow link on top left. 
         [0861]    6. user may navigate to USER PAGE ( FIG. S8D ) by clicking on the USERID, under the FROM column. Closing the USER PAGE will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the USERID. 
         [0862]    7. user may reply to or post a new article. Clicking on the REPLY/POST button will navigate user to the REPLY/POST screen ( FIG. S3H ). On REPLY/POST screen, clicking the SEND/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the REPLY/POST button. 
         [0863]    1. if user is a sponsor, user also has the option of posting one sponsor message in their category, but no limit on messages as a user. Sponsors will have an option to indicated if the message that they are posting is their sponsor message or a message as a general user (see FIG. S 3 H 2 ). Once sponsor use their sponsor message, then the sponsor message selection is disabled until the next calendar day. 
         [0864]    8. user may forward article to other users or post it to another category. Clicking on the FORWARD/POST button will navigate user to the FORWARD screen ( FIG. S3I ). On FORWARD/POST screen, clicking the SEND/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the FORWARD/POST button. 
         [0865]    9. user may change the display characteristics of the screen by selecting an option from the DISPLAY pulldown menu. 
         [0866]    10. user may Rate the Article by clicking on the RATE ART button and the user will be taken to the RATE Screen ( FIG. 15 ). On RATE screen, clicking the SUBMIT/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the RATE CAT button. 
         [0867]    11. user may Rate the User by clicking on the RATE USER button and the user will be taken to the RATE Screen ( FIG. 15 ). On RATE screen, clicking the SUBMIT/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the RATE USER button. 
         [0868]    12. user may Follow the User by clicking on the FOLLOW USER button and the user will be taken to the ALERT/FOLLOW SETTINGS Screen ( FIG. 23 ). On ALERT/FOLLOW SETTINGS Screen, clicking the CLOSE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the FOLLOW USER button. 
         [0869]    13. user may navigate within the Category Article page by scrolling up and down by using a scrolling bar or by using a hand motion in electronic hardware devices that supports that capability. 
         [0870]    14. user may navigate to other articles by using the NEXT and PREVIOUS link arrows, still using the CATEGORY Article Screen. 
         [0871]    15. user may navigate to the FULL PAGE ( FIG. S3K ) view of the article by clicking on the FULL PAGE button, which enlarges the view of the article page. Navigation to Category List screen and SHARE screen, as well as the RATE ART buttons are eliminated to make room for larger article display area. Clicking the BACK TO FIT PAGE will take user to the original article display mode. 
         [0872]    16. after reviewing the article user may go back to the CATEGORY List screen, CATEGORY Main screen, or go to other Folders like TOP USA, FAVORITE, PERSONAL or SEARCH. 
         [0873]    7. TOP USA List Screen ( FIG. S4B ) use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen. 
         [0874]    8. TOP USA Article Screen ( FIG. S4C ) use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY Article screen 
         [0875]    9. FAVORITE Main Screen ( FIG. S5A ) use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY Main screen 
         [0876]    10. FAVORITE List Screen ( FIG. S5B ) use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen 
         [0877]    11. FAVORITE Article Screen ( FIG. S4C ) use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY Article screen 
         [0878]    12. PERSONAL Main Screen ( FIG. 42 ) 
         [0879]    1. user can navigate to START screen ( FIG. 21 ) by clicking on THEME name on top of the screen. 
         [0880]    2. user may navigate to main SETTINGS screen by clicking on SETTINGS link top right of screen 
         [0881]    3. user may navigate to INFORMATION pages (i) by clicking on (i) link at top right of screen 
         [0882]    4. user may navigate between following links (Folders) at the bottom of the screen by clicking them 
         [0883]    1. CATEGORY screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0884]    2. TOP USA screen ( FIG. S4B ) 
         [0885]    3. FAVORITE screen ( FIG. S5A ) 
         [0886]    4. PERSONAL screen ( FIG. 42 ) 
         [0887]    5. SEARCH screen ( FIG. 45 ) 
         [0888]    5. user may navigate to specific Category like INBOX, OUTBOX, SENTBOX, etc. by clicking on the CATEGORY (CAT) NAME 
         [0889]    6. user may navigate within the CATEGORY Main page by using buttons like TOP/BOTTOM (T/B) and using the FIND button at the bottom of the screen. User can also sort columns by clicking to the headers section of the column. 
         [0890]    7. user may change the display characteristics of the screen by selecting an option from the DISPLAY pulldown menu. 
         [0891]    8. user may navigate within the Category Main page by scrolling up and down by using a scrolling bar or by using a hand motion in electronic hardware devices that supports that capability. 
         [0892]    9. user may add a new CATEGORY by clicking on the ADD NEW CATEGORY button at the bottom, which will navigate user to the ADD CATEGORY Screen ( FIG. 13 ). On ADD CATEGORY screen, clicking the DONE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the ADD NEW CATEGORY button. 
         [0893]    1. if user is SPONSOR, user will be navigated to the ADD CATEGORY SCREEN SPONSORS ( FIG. 43 ), when user clicks on DONE button on ADD NEW CATEGORY screen. 
         [0894]    2. on ADD CATEGORY SCREEN SPONSORS, clicking on DONE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the ADD NEW CATEGORY button. 
         [0895]    10. user may delete a category that he created by clicking on the DELETE CATEGORY button at bottom. Navigation will stay on the same screen. 
         [0896]    11. user may change the display of categories by clicking on the buttons MY CATS, INVITED CATS or ALL CATS. Only those categories that correspond to the button clicked are displayed. Navigation will stay on the same screen. 
         [0897]    12. user may update the invited list of people on his private categories, like adding more or deleting others from the list. Clicking on the UPDATE MY INVITATIONS will navigate user to the UPDATE INVITATIONS screen ( FIG. 12 ). On UPDATE INVITATIONS screen, clicking the SAVE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the UPDATE MY INVITATIONS button. 
         [0898]    1. PERSONAL INBOX List Screen ( FIG. S7A ): user may navigate to INBOX category by clicking on the INBOX under the CAT NAME column. On INBOX screen, user can navigate back to the PERSONAL Main screen by either clicking on the PERSONAL CATEGORIES link arrow on top left or by clicking on the PERSONAL Folder button at the bottom. 
         [0899]    1. SEND PRI MESSAGE screen ( FIG. S7C ). On PERSONAL INBOX screen, user may send a private message to other user by clicking on the SEND PRI MESSAGE button. On SEND PRI MESSAGE screen, clicking the CLOSE/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the SEND PRI MESSAGE button. 
         [0900]    1. if user is a SPONSOR, then user is enabled to select a user list named SPONSORLIST_CATID (which contains list of user who have agreed to receive private message from sponsors, and users who did not block the sponsor by selecting DS for that particular sponsor). Once the private message using SPONSORLIST_CATID is used by the sponsor, the selection is disabled until next calendar day. 
         [0901]    2. User may navigate to a specific article in INBOX List screen by clicking on the ARTICLE (ART) NAME. On INBOX Article screen, clicking on the INBOX LIST link arrow on top left will navigate user back to the INBOX List screen. 
         [0902]    2. PERSONAL INBOX Article Screen ( FIG. S7B ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY Article screen, except there is no rating of article for private INBOX Articles. On INBOX Article screen, clicking on the INBOX LIST link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the INBOX List screen. 
         [0903]    3. PERSONAL INBOX REPLY Screen ( FIG. S7G ): user may reply to private messages in their INBOX. On PERSONAL INBOX REPLY screen, clicking the SEND/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the PERSONAL INBOX Article screen. 
         [0904]    4. PERSONAL INBOX FORWARD Screen ( FIG. S7H ): user may forward a private message in their INBOX to others. On PERSONAL INBOX FORWARD screen, clicking the SEND/CANCEL buttons will navigate user back to the PERSONAL INBOX Article screen. 
         [0905]    5. PERSONAL NOTEBOX List Screen ( FIG. S7E ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen, except there is no rate/follow of category for private NOTEBOX. On NOTEBOX List screen, clicking on the PERSONAL CATEGORIES link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the INBOX List screen. 
         [0906]    6. PERSONAL NOTEBOX Article Screen ( FIG. S7F ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY Article screen, except there is no rating of articles for private NOTEBOX. On NOTEBOX Article screen, clicking on the NOTEBOX LIST link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the NOTEBOX List screen. 
         [0907]    7. PERSONAL SENTBOX List Screen ( FIG. S7I ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen, except there is no rate/follow of category for private SENTBOX. On SENTBOX List screen, clicking on the PERSONAL CATEGORIES link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the INBOX List screen. 
         [0908]    8. PERSONAL SENTBOX Article Screen ( FIG. S7J ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY Article screen, except there is no rating of articles for private SENTBOX. On SENTBOX Article screen, clicking on the SENTBOX LIST link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the SENTBOX List screen. 
         [0909]    13. SEARCH Main Screen ( FIG. 45 ) 
         [0910]    1. user can navigate to START screen ( FIG. 21 ) by clicking on START arrow link or by clicking on THEME name on top of the screen. 
         [0911]    2. user may navigate to main SETTINGS screen by clicking on SETTINGS link top right of screen 
         [0912]    3. user may navigate to INFORMATION pages (i) by clicking on (i) link at top right of screen 
         [0913]    4. user may navigate to HOME page (default) by clicking on HOME link arrow at top oeft of screen 
         [0914]    5. user may navigate between following links (Folders) at the bottom of the screen by clicking them 
         [0915]    1. CATEGORY screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0916]    2. TOP USA screen ( FIG. S4B ) 
         [0917]    3. FAVORITE screen ( FIG. S5A ) 
         [0918]    4. PERSONAL screen ( FIG. 42 ) 
         [0919]    5. SEARCH screen ( FIG. 45 ) 
         [0920]    6. Clicking on the CANCEL button on SEARCH Main screen will navigate user back to the page that they clicked on the SEARCH folder. 
         [0921]    7. user may perform a search on Categories, Articles, Users and Sponsors; 
         [0922]    1. CATEGORY SEARCH RESULTS: use the same screen and navigation as the CATEGORY Main screen ( FIG. 22 ) 
         [0923]    2. ARTICLE SEARCH RESULTS ( FIG. S8B ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen, except there is no rate/follow of category. On ARTICLES 
         [0924]    SEARCH RESULTS screen, clicking on the MODIFY SEARCH link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the SEARCH Main screen. 
         [0925]    3. USER SEARCH RESULTS ( FIG. S8C ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen, except there is no rate/follow of category. On USER SEARCH RESULTS screen, clicking on the MODIFY SEARCH link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the SEARCH Main screen. 
         [0926]    4. SPONSOR SEARCH RESULTS ( FIG. S8E ): use the similar navigation as the CATEGORY List screen, except there is no rate/follow of category. On SPONSOR SEARCH RESULTS screen, clicking on the MODIFY SEARCH link arrow on top left ill navigate user back to the SEARCH Main screen. 
         [0927]    14. SETTINGS 
         [0928]    1. after the first time forced navigation to the SETTINGS screens, user has the full flexibility to navigate throughout the SETTINGS screens to change the setup. 
         [0929]    2. user may navigate to USER RULES AND GUIDELINES screen, however user&#39;s acceptance of the rules and guidelines cannot be changed anymore. 
         [0930]    3. user may navigate to USER SETTINGS screen, however user&#39;s USERID, EMAIL, and FIRST and LAST NAME cannot be changed anymore. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sample list of Information to be tracked. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 INFORMATION THAT WILL BE TRACKED IN ANY ELECTRONIC 
               
               
                 HARDWARE DEVICE (LIKE IPHONE) INCLUDE: 
               
               
                 1. Track all statistics for each Article 
               
               
                 1. Article ID number 
               
               
                 2. Theme and Category that article belong to 
               
               
                 3. which userid posted the article (author) 
               
               
                 4. Date and time of posting 
               
               
                 5. article status: N, NR, R, F, DS 
               
               
                 6. number of times an article was read 
               
               
                 7. number of times an article was read by a unique userid 
               
               
                 8. number of times an article was shared through email, messaging, f, t, or I 
               
               
                 9. number of users have this article in Favorite folder 
               
               
                 10. number of users have this article in DS status 
               
               
                 11. number of users have replied to or forwarded this articles 
               
               
                 12. number of times posted to facebook 
               
               
                 13. number of times posted to twitter 
               
               
                 14. rank of the article 
               
               
                 15. rating of the article and user comments 
               
               
                 16. length of the article in terms of number of characters and number of  
               
               
                 words 
               
               
                 2. Track all statistics for each User 
               
               
                 1. number of Theme subscription, and their names 
               
               
                 2. number of times articles posted or replied and to which category 
               
               
                 3. number of times articles shared through email, messaging, f, t, or I 
               
               
                 4. number of times articles forwarded to a user or another category 
               
               
                 5. Top five PUB categories participated by the user 
               
               
                 6. Top five NP categories participated by the user 
               
               
                 7. number of referrals and the referral&#39;s contact info 
               
               
                 8. number of times told friends and the friends contact info 
               
               
                 9. number of users subscribed who were referred or told by the user and  
               
               
                 their userid 
               
               
                 10. number of facebook postings 
               
               
                 11. number of twitter postings 
               
               
                 12. number of suggestions 
               
               
                 13. number of problem reporting 
               
               
                 14. rating of user and user comments 
               
               
                 15. track all postings, replies, and forwards and be able to store at  
               
               
                 SENTBOX 
               
               
                 16. top five categories participated NP or PUB 
               
               
                 17. number of followers 
               
               
                 18. number of blocks on this user 
               
               
                 19. number of invitations received 
               
               
                 20. total use time for application sofware, folders like Categories, Top  
               
               
                 USA, Favorites, Personal and Search, and use of individual categories  
               
               
                 (continuos for 365 days, from start of the apps to close) 
               
               
                 21. Total time use of C T F PS folders 
               
               
                 22. Total time use of a Category for NP PUB PRI 
               
               
                 3. Track all Credits for each user 
               
               
                 1. credit earned by subscribing to each Theme 
               
               
                 2. credit earned for each Referral 
               
               
                 3. credit earned for each Telling 
               
               
                 4. credit earned for each Invited (non-subscriber) 
               
               
                 5. credit earned for each Sharing 
               
               
                 6. credit earned for each Subscribed User that you have Referred, Told, 
               
               
                 Invited or Shared 
               
               
                 7. credit earned for each Rating 
               
               
                 8. credit earned for each Suggestions 
               
               
                 9. credit earned for each problem Reporting 
               
               
                 10. credit earned for each creation of a Category PUB or PRI 
               
               
                 11. credit earned for each Postings/Replies/Forwards for PUB/NP (Non- 
               
               
                 Private) Categories 
               
               
                 12. credit earned for each Person invited to PRI Category 
               
               
                 13. credit earned for reading sponsored Ad in a Category 
               
               
                 14. credit earned for accepting to receive Ads in INBOX from sponsors 
               
               
                 4. Track all statistics for each category (in general, any statistics for articles  
               
               
                 in a given category can be combined to get a total statistical number for a  
               
               
                 category) 
               
               
                 1. number of categories created, PRI and PUB, their name 
               
               
                 2. Author of the category and date/time it was created 
               
               
                 3. number of posted articles 
               
               
                 4. number of read articles 
               
               
                 5. number of replies and forwards for each article 
               
               
                 6. number of unique users participating 
               
               
                 7. number of average daily postings/replies 
               
               
                 8. number of users have this category in their Favorites 
               
               
                 9. number of users following this category 
               
               
                 10. number of DS 
               
               
                 11. Category Rating and user comments 
               
               
                 12. Category Ranking - based on the sum of the ranking of each article in  
               
               
                 that category 
               
               
                 13. Number of PUB (including MPUB), NP, PRI (including MPRI) 
               
               
                 14. number of each Category TYPE 
               
               
                 15. number of each Category SCOPE 
               
               
                 INFORMATION THAT WILL BE UPLOADED FROM ANY  
               
               
                 ELECTRONIC HARDWARE DEVICE (LIKE IPHONE) TO MAIN  
               
               
                 DATABASE INCLUDE: 
               
               
                 5. Related to each Article 
               
               
                 1. New Articles posted/replied - ID numbers (ID also includes Theme and 
               
               
                 Category numbers) 
               
               
                 1. userid posted the article (author) 
               
               
                 2. Date and time of posting 
               
               
                 3. length of the new article in terms of number of characters and number of 
               
               
                 words 
               
               
                 2. number of times an article was read in any category (do not count  
               
               
                 articles read if user is the author) 
               
               
                 3. number of times an article was shared through email, messaging, f, t, or I 
               
               
                 4. articles in Favorite folder 
               
               
                 5. articles in DS status 
               
               
                 6. articles forwarded 
               
               
                 7. articles rated and user comments 
               
               
                 6. Related to each User 
               
               
                 1. new Theme subscription, and their names, date, etc 
               
               
                 2. articles posted or replied and to which category, date, etc. 
               
               
                 3. articles shared through email, messaging, f, t, or I, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 4. articles replied or forwarded to a user or another category, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 5. categories participated by reading, posting, replying, or forwarding 
               
               
                 1. for each category, we track four items; articles read, posted, replied, 
               
               
                 forwarded by each user 
               
               
                 6. Top five PUB categories participated by the user 
               
               
                 7. Top five NP categories participated by the user 
               
               
                 8. referrals - referrals contact info, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 9. told friends - friends contact info, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 10. sharing through emails, facebook, twitter, etc., article name, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 11. suggestions - content, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 12. problem reporting - content, dates, .etc. 
               
               
                 13. rating of other user/article/category, comments, date, etc. 
               
               
                 14. categories and users followed names, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 15. blocks requested - userid, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 16. invitations sent - userid, dates, etc. 
               
               
                 17. total use time for apps date, time (continuos for 365 days, from start of  
               
               
                 the apps to close) 
               
               
                 18. Total time use of folders C T F P S date, time 
               
               
                 19. Total time use of a Categories ID, date, time, etc. 
               
               
                 20. saved SEARCH setups 
               
               
                 21. saved LIST NAMEs 
               
               
                 22. saved FAVORITE names 
               
               
                 23. saved SETTINGS folder 
               
               
                 7. Related to each category (category, rating, PUB/PRI, TYPE, SCOPE, 
               
               
                 userid, date/time, etc.) 
               
               
                 1. new category created 
               
               
                 2. Favorites categories 
               
               
                 3. Following categories 
               
               
                 4. DS categories 
               
               
                 5. Categories rated and user comments 
               
               
                 8. Related to Credits 
               
               
                 1. credit earned for each Referral 
               
               
                 2. credit earned for each Telling 
               
               
                 3. credit earned for each Invited (non-subscriber) 
               
               
                 4. credit earned for each Sharing 
               
               
                 5. credit earned for each Subscribed User that you have Referred, Told, 
               
               
                 Invited or Shared 
               
               
                 6. credit earned for each Rating 
               
               
                 7. credit earned for each Suggestions 
               
               
                 8. credit earned for each problem Reporting 
               
               
                 9. credit earned for each creation of a Category PUB or PRI 
               
               
                 10. credit earned for each Postings/Replies/Forwards for PUB/NP (Non- 
               
               
                 Private) Categories 
               
               
                 11. credit earned for each Person invited to PRI Category 
               
               
                 12. credit earned for reading sponsored Ad in a Category 
               
               
                 13. credit earned for accepting to receive Ads in INBOX from sponsors 
               
               
                 INFORMATION THAT WILL BE DOWNLOADED TO ANY  
               
               
                 ELECTRONIC HARDWARE DEVICE (LIKE IPHONE) FROM MAIN  
               
               
                 DATABASE INCLUDE: 
               
               
                 9. for each Article (theme, category, userid, date/time, etc.) 
               
               
                 1. new articles - userid posted the article (author), Date and time of posting 
               
               
                 2. ranking of the article 
               
               
                 3. rating of the article and user comments 
               
               
                 4. length of the article in terms of number of characters and number of  
               
               
                 words 
               
               
                 10. for each User 
               
               
                 1. new categories created, PRI and PUB 
               
               
                 2. new articles posted, replied, forwarded 
               
               
                 3. rating of users and user comments 
               
               
                 4. ranking of users 
               
               
                 5. number of followers 
               
               
                 6. blocked messages 
               
               
                 7. invitations received 
               
               
                 8. personal messages 
               
               
                 9. total use time for apps, folders, and categories (continuos for 365 days, 
               
               
                 from start of the apps to close) 
               
               
                 10. Total time use of C T F P S, folders 
               
               
                 11. Total time use of a Category for NP PUB PRI 
               
               
                 11. credits 
               
               
                 1. credit earned by subscribing to each Theme 
               
               
                 2. credit earned for each Referral 
               
               
                 3. credit earned for each Telling 
               
               
                 4. credit earned for each Invited (non-subscriber) 
               
               
                 5. credit earned for each Sharing 
               
               
                 6. credit earned for each Subscribed User that you have Referred, Told, 
               
               
                 Invited or Shared 
               
               
                 7. credit earned for each Rating 
               
               
                 8. credit earned for each Suggestions 
               
               
                 9. credit earned for each problem Reporting 
               
               
                 10. credit earned for each creation of a Category PUB or PRI 
               
               
                 11. credit earned for each Postings/Replies/Forwards for PUB/NP (Non- 
               
               
                 Private) Categories 
               
               
                 12. credit earned for each Person invited to PRI Category 
               
               
                 13. credit earned for reading sponsored Ad in a Category 
               
               
                 14. credit earned for accepting to receive Ads in INBOX from sponsors 
               
               
                 12. for each category 
               
               
                 1. new categories and date/time it was created, type, scope, etc. 
               
               
                 2. number of posted articles 
               
               
                 3. number of read articles 
               
               
                 4. number of replies and forwards 
               
               
                 5. number of unique users participating 
               
               
                 6. number of average daily postings/replies 
               
               
                 7. number of users have this category in their Favorites 
               
               
                 8. number of users following this category 
               
               
                 9. number of DS 
               
               
                 10. Rating and user comments 
               
               
                 11. Ranking - based on the sum of the ranking of each article in that  
               
               
                 category 
               
               
                 13. for each theme 
               
               
                 1. fee for the theme 
               
               
                 2. credits required to subscribe 
               
               
                 3. # of users/participants 
               
               
                 4. # of categories 
               
               
                 5. # of articles 
               
               
                 6. # of new articles 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example list of possible themes. 
               
               
                 THEMES: 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 PEOPLE 
               
               
                   
                 NEWS 
               
               
                   
                 POLITICAL 
               
               
                   
                 ENTERTAINMENT- MOVIES, THEATER, CONCERTS 
               
               
                   
                 TECHNOLOGY 
               
               
                   
                 HEALTH 
               
               
                   
                 TRAVEL 
               
               
                   
                 MONEY 
               
               
                   
                 SPORTS 
               
               
                   
                 LEGAL 
               
               
                   
                 REAL ESTATE 
               
               
                   
                 INVESTMENTS 
               
               
                   
                 BUSINESS 
               
               
                   
                 CAREER 
               
               
                   
                 MUSIC 
               
               
                   
                 MOVIES 
               
               
                   
                 IMAGES 
               
               
                   
                 PICTURES 
               
               
                   
                 VIDEO 
               
               
                   
                 HISTORY 
               
               
                   
                 GEOGRAPHY 
               
               
                   
                 FASHION 
               
               
                   
                 FAMILY 
               
               
                   
                 EDUCATION 
               
               
                   
                 RELIGION 
               
               
                   
                 FOOD 
               
               
                   
                 DRINKS 
               
               
                   
                 JOKES 
               
               
                   
                 QUOTES 
               
               
                   
                 IDIOMS 
               
               
                   
                 EXPERTS 
               
               
                   
                 EMAIL 
               
               
                   
                 TEXT MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                 AUDIO MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                 VIDEO MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                 FILES 
               
               
                   
                 LINKS (URL) 
               
               
                   
                 TWITTER 
               
               
                   
                 FACEBOOK 
               
               
                   
                 MYSPACE 
               
               
                   
                 FLICKR 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Features, Advantages, and Benefits 
               
               
                 SUMMARY OF FEATURES, ADVANTAGES, AND BENEFITS OF  
               
               
                 THE PROPOSED SYSTEM AND METHOS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. system to communicate and share ideas, opinions, etc. in a single user 
               
               
                 interface/environment 
               
               
                 2. system to simplify communication among friends, family, and around  
               
               
                 the world 
               
               
                 3. system to simplify the management of information and data, saving time 
               
               
                 and make people more efficient 
               
               
                 4. system that connects friends, families, and people all around the world  
               
               
                 that share common interest and goals and want to communicate  
               
               
                 instantaneously 
               
               
                 5. system to enable communication from one-to-one and one-to-many 
               
               
                 6. system to enable communication in a secure and public or private  
               
               
                 settings 
               
               
                 7. system to track and give incentives/credits 
               
               
                 8. system to earn credits and use it toward subscribing to more Themes 
               
               
                 9. system to follow (read/post/reply/participate) many themes, categories in  
               
               
                 a single user interface/environment 
               
               
                 10. system to create categories, public or private and invite only those  
               
               
                 selected by the user 
               
               
                 11. system to allow user to invite anyone to join a category 
               
               
                 12. system to allow user to un-invite anyone to a category 
               
               
                 13. system to send private message to anyone or to any group you create in 
               
               
                 the system 
               
               
                 14. system to block any user sending any message to another user 
               
               
                 15. system to allow a secure environment where only those selected to 
               
               
                 communicate and share. No one else can read or post 
               
               
                 16. system to organize all data into Themes, Categories, and Articles for  
               
               
                 easy access to any data 
               
               
                 17. system to organize navigation to Categories, Top Articles, Favorites, 
               
               
                 Personal and Search for easy access to any data 
               
               
                 18. system to allow interface to blogs, twitter, facebook, linkedin, and other 
               
               
                 social networks 
               
               
                 19. system to allow setting alerts to follow certain categories and users 
               
               
                 20. system to allow easy navigation to previous page, next page, top or  
               
               
                 bottom 
               
               
                 21. system to store and recover information for a subscriber like, Theme 
               
               
                 subscriptions, all Settings for each Theme, Favorites for each Theme,  
               
               
                 Personal Folder in for each Theme, all DS selections for Categories and  
               
               
                 Articles, statistics 
               
               
                 22. system to allow extraction of any data stored in the database at a later  
               
               
                 time 
               
               
                 23. system to calculate rankings of articles and categories based on user 
               
               
                 behaviors 
               
               
                 24. system to enable ratings of articles, categories and users by other users 
               
               
                 25. system to enable search of any data exist in the database 
               
               
                 26. system to enable sponsors to sponsor themes and categories 
               
               
                 27. system to enable sponsors to give credits to users as incentives for users  
               
               
                 to participate in activities 
               
               
                 28. system to search articles, categories, users, sponsors 
               
               
                 29. system that enables people to access to real time information and data 
               
               
                 30. a system based on a subscription and registered user community of user 
               
               
                 31. you do not have to go to different web sites to access to blogs 
               
               
                 32. you do not have to use different applications to access to social  
               
               
                 networks 
               
               
                 33. you do not have the difficulties of managing email, like 
               
               
                 1. too much email, junk emails, lost emails, lack of a good confirmation of 
               
               
                 receipt, anyone can send you an unwanted email 
               
               
                 34. easy access and management of information and data 
               
               
                 1. access to blogs, social networks to share info, ideas, discussions, etc. 
               
               
                 35. anyone can start a topic/category/discussion and share with others 
               
               
                 36. system to encourage people to participate through credits/bonuses 
               
               
                 37. system to enable users to provide feedback/rate articles/discussions/ 
               
               
                 topics/categories/users/sponsors 
               
               
                 38. system to enable sponsors target users based on their interest and 
               
               
                 demographics 
               
               
                 39. Ability to follow different subjects and people 
               
               
                 40. Ability to communicate and participate in blog like manner in  
               
               
                 discussion, where content is shared with others in a central location 
               
               
                 41. Ability to share with others using email, where content can be  
               
               
                 distributed to anyone in the network 
               
               
                 42. facebook, twitter, instant message, etc. 
               
               
                 43. Ability to send instant text message, where it can be directed to any one 
               
               
                 instantly 
               
               
                 44. Ability to communicate and share data/info privately in a secure 
               
               
                 environment 
               
               
                 45. Integrated and comprehensive communication environment (like a  
               
               
                 browser) with extensive capabilities for categorizing, organizing,  
               
               
                 accessing, searching and sharing info with others. 
               
               
                 46. ability to support smart phones 
               
               
                 47. easy access to management of info and messages 
               
               
                 48. system to encourage participation through reward/credit system 
               
               
                 49. system to enable people provide comment, feedback, review, rate 
               
               
                 categories, articles, users, etc. 
               
               
                 50. system to encourage anyone to start topics, discussions,  
               
               
                 communications with others easily and instantly 
               
               
                 51. It is a non intrusive way to communicate company info/news to all 
               
               
                 employees in a timely manner from HR, sales, engineering, etc. 
               
               
                 52. Users can easily monitor new messages/information about any topic in  
               
               
                 the company. 
               
               
                 53. It is based on participation and subscription 
               
               
                 54. Easy way to solicit feedback and participation 
               
               
                 55. A unified communication tool to interface with all employees with the 
               
               
                 company 
               
               
                 56. Integrated communication environment. Still integrated to web site  
               
               
                 through links 
               
               
                 57. fast, easy, secure, private communication environment to create and  
               
               
                 share info and data 
               
               
                 58. fast, easy environment to read, write opinion or comment, search,  
               
               
                 organize, find, learn, ask questions, and communicate 
               
               
                 59. single interface to reach blogs and social networks 
               
               
                 60. system that promotes content creation, participation, sharing, self 
               
               
                 management, etc. 
               
               
                 61. system that allows creation and participation in broad as well as very 
               
               
                 specific topics and interest points 
               
               
                 62. system that allows communication and creation of topics that are 
               
               
                 geographically focused, like city, state, country and International 
               
               
                 63. system that enables access to community created content as well as 
               
               
                 content created outside the community 
               
               
                 64. system that brings community of users in different topics into a single 
               
               
                 location with a single interface 
               
               
                 65. system that simplifies communication and management of information  
               
               
                 and saves time and makes people more efficient 
               
               
                 66. system that connects, friends, families and people all around the world  
               
               
                 that share common interest, goals, etc. and want to communicate one-to- 
               
               
                 one or one-to- many, in a secure and public or private settings 
               
               
                 67. communication management 
               
               
                 1. communication environment with one or many people 
               
               
                 2. private and secure communication environment 
               
               
                 3. send message to one place/person, instead of multiple 
               
               
                 4. access/receive multiple messages from one place/location, instead of 
               
               
                 multiple 
               
               
                 68. Communication system that can be setup for only internal use and 
               
               
                 1. minimizes distractions because email inbox is full of junk and  
               
               
                 unwanted email 
               
               
                 2. no more missed/lost emails 
               
               
                 3. no more junk email 
               
               
                 4. no outside the company email 
               
               
                 5. reduces the number of emails to be read 
               
               
                 1. if there are 10 people in the team, and everyone copying everyone else,  
               
               
                 then everyone gets 10 emails, total of 100 emails in the system. Instead  
               
               
                 everyone goes to one location where all the 10 messages are captured and  
               
               
                 everyone see the same messages. 
               
               
                 69. Secure and private communication 
               
               
                 1. messages from only those designated 
               
               
                 2. no one else can access 
               
               
                 70. Reliable communication 
               
               
                 1. you do not miss messages 
               
               
                 2. no need for confirmation 
               
               
                 71. Fast, easy, and efficient way to access to live information and data 
               
               
                 1. simple and efficient navigation 
               
               
                 2. extensive sorting, searching, and find capabilities 
               
               
                 72. Save time communicating with others 
               
               
                 1. communicate using 
               
               
                 1. Public or Private categories 
               
               
                 2 . Private messages 
               
               
                 3 . email, text message, and posting to social networks 
               
               
                 73. save time organizing all communications 
               
               
                 1. organize data in Favorite and Personal folders 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Definitions 
               
               
                 DEFINITIONS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. APPS is an application software that runs on electronic hardware device. 
               
               
                 2. THEME is high level topic like PEOPLE, NEWS, TRAVEL, etc. See  
               
               
                 Table 2. for more examples of themes. 
               
               
                 3. ARTICLE is content like messages, data, information, knowledge. 
               
               
                 4. An article considered READ (R) if article was open equal or greater then  
               
               
                 the the number of words in the article divided by six. For example, if  
               
               
                 article has 60 words, article must be kept open minimum 10 seconds to  
               
               
                 qualify to be marked as READ. 
               
               
                 5. SCREEN is what you see on screen 
               
               
                 6. PAGE is where the data is displayed that is scrollable 
               
               
                 7. FOLDER is used for Category, Top USA, Favorites, Personal and  
               
               
                 Search buttons at the bottom of the screens 
               
               
                 8. AUTHOR is a user who has created the content, article, category 
               
               
                 9. USERID is unique identification code for registered users 
               
               
                 10. An Article or Category changes from NEW to NR when exiting the 
               
               
                 Application, and if the Category or Article List was open at least 10 sec. 
               
               
                 11. PARTICIPANT is a user posted or replied in a category 
               
               
                 12. The MOST ACTIVE category for a user means the category where  
               
               
                 user has posted and replied the most among the categories that the user is  
               
               
                 participating. 
               
               
                 13. READER is a user that read at least one article in a category 
               
               
                 14. FOLLOWER is a user that set alert for a category or user 
               
               
                 15. PRI means private 
               
               
                 16. PUB means public 
               
               
                 17. PUBLIC means anyone can see and participate, 
               
               
                 18. PRIVATE means only those who have been invited will be able to see  
               
               
                 and participate. 
               
               
                 19. CAT means category 
               
               
                 20. ART means article 
               
               
                 21. DATA - Raw, unsummarized and unanalyzed facts. Data is of very  
               
               
                 little use to decision makers as it contains far too much detail. Before it can  
               
               
                 be used it must be converted in to information. 
               
               
                 22. INFORMATION - Data that has been processed in to a meaningful  
               
               
                 form. 
               
               
                 23. KNOWLEDGE - The capacity to use information—requires  
               
               
                 education and experience 
               
               
                 24. REGISTERED USER is same as subscribed user. A unique USERID  
               
               
                 and unique eMAIL address are used to identify all the registered/ 
               
               
                 subscribed users. 
               
               
                 25. CLICKING means selecting a button or link. 
               
               
                 26. LINK also means BUTTON or ARROW. 
               
               
                 27. FOLDERS means CATEGORY, TOP USA, FAVORITE,  
               
               
                 PERSONAL, SEARCH links at the bottom of most screens. 
               
               
                 28. USER means CLIENT