Abstract:
A discussion forum system including a central server in communication with a plurality of user devices in which each of the user devices provides a user interface through which an associated user communicates with the central server; the user interfaces facilitate user participation in a plurality of exchanges in which each of the two or more users is represented by a pseudonymous avatar; in which at least a first user and a second user of the two or more users pay a required buy in associated with a first exchange of the plurality of exchanges to join the exchange and the value of each user&#39;s buy in is divided amongst a comment bank and a tip bank associated with each user; and in which, users pay from the comment bank to make comments and pay others from their tip bank for quality comments.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present subject matter relates generally to a system for a pseudonymous, subscription based discussion forum. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method improving conversation and collaboration in an online discussion forum by enabling users to reward each other for informative and insightful posts. 
         [0002]    Electronic discussion forums hold considerable promise for creating environments that encourage a respectful exchange of ideas amongst users. Unfortunately, users who harass, troll, and otherwise denigrate other users have long plagued previous discussion forums. Although there have been many approaches to dealing with this problem, such as comment moderation, abusive comment reporting, or ignoring the problem, there remains a need for discussion forums that curb abusive users. 
         [0003]    One problem with previous discussion systems is open participation has created a crippling inefficiency in the free exchange and growth of ideas in Internet forums. Participants may be hesitant to share their true thoughts and ideas at the risk of being personally identified, or “doxed”. There is a need for discussion forums that protect the anonymity of users. 
         [0004]    Additionally, many forums lack thoughtful and insightful comments because there is no incentive for users to provide such commentary. Users often lack a stake in a conversation before joining that conversation. Such users may poison debate, or generally lower the quality of discussion. Thus, there is a need for systems that give users a stake in maintain a positive discussion. 
         [0005]    Further, although most initial users in a discussion forum contribute positively to discussions, because there are no mechanisms to reward that behavior, those users may feel unappreciated and may react to less positive contributors by leaving the discussion and thus lowering the quality of the discussion forum overall. Thus, there is a need for discussion forums that reward positive contributions. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for pseudonymous discussion forum systems that more efficiently facilitate and accelerate conversation and allow for and reward the free exchange of ideas, as described herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides pseudonymous discussion forum systems that more efficiently facilitate and accelerate conversation and allow for and reward the free exchange of ideas. The pseudonymous discussion forum systems may be accessed over the Internet via a web site or mobile application. 
         [0008]    By providing a pseudonymous discussion forum system that rewards users who provide insightful commentary, the disclosed invention more efficiently promotes the free exchange of ideas and promotes engaging and thoughtful content. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the discussion forum system is a pseudonymous, subscription based website that can be accessed from any electronic device with Internet access, including computers, mobile phones, and tablets. The discussion forum system allows users to create individual discussions around a topic. Each individual discussion is called an exchange. Users may comment on the exchange topic and reply to previous comments on the exchange topic. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the systems provided herein, in order to participate in an exchange, a user must first buy into the exchange. The buy-in may be with real money, virtual currencies, points, or another form of limited resource to properly incentivize users of the system. By permitting a user to participate in only those exchanges for which they have bought into, the discussion forum system requires users to have something at stake in a conversation before joining that conversation. In some embodiments, every exchange may require a different buy-in amount and a user may only buy into an exchange one time. To avoid unwieldy or unending discussions, the number of participants in an exchange may be fixed, and the exchange may end after a period of time. In some examples, at the close of an exchange, users may choose to re-buy and continue the same conversation in a new resource limited, time-limited environment. 
         [0011]    Upon buying into an exchange, one portion of the buy-in may be deposited into the user&#39;s virtual “comment bank” while the other portion may be deposited into the user&#39;s virtual “tip bank.” In some embodiments, one-fifth of the buy-in may go into the users “comment bank,” while four-fifths of the buy-in may go into the users “tip bank.” The money in the “comment bank” and “tip bank” may be used only for that particular exchange. Separate “comment banks” and “tip banks” are created for each exchange the user joins. If the user joins multiple exchanges, each exchange has its own separate “comment bank” and “tip bank.” 
         [0012]    The user may use funds from the “comment bank” to provide their own comment or reply to another user&#39;s comment. In some embodiments, it may cost the user ten cents to comment and five cents to reply to another user&#39;s comment. The user may use funds from the “tip bank” to tip other users for their contributions. In some embodiments, the user may give out tips in increments of five cents. In the event that the user receives tip money, that money is deposited into the “comment bank” that is associated with that discussion, thus giving the user more funds to provide commentary. 
         [0013]    One feature of the discussion forum system is anonymity. The forum provides anonymity to all users, thus allowing users to freely express their views and ideas without worry of being discovered. All comments and replies populate pseudonymously. The anonymity ensures that all users, regardless of age, gender, race, education, or career, begin each discussion on equal footing and have equal opportunity to advance the discussion. Anonymity will foster free disclosure and diffuse both negative and positive consequences of open identification. 
         [0014]    Another feature of the disclosed embodiment is a reward system that more efficiently incentivizes users to provide engaging and thoughtful content to the discussion. In the reward feature, a user may tip other users for their contributions. The tip may be withdrawn from the tipping user&#39;s “tip bank” and be deposited into the other user&#39;s “comment bank.” The tips received by users are real money and may be redeemed for cash, or converted to additional participation (i.e. additional funds in their “comment bank” and “tip bank”). The system may be organized in such a manner that, in order to realize the full value of the discussion, users are compelled to tip other users as any funds not distributed from one&#39;s tip bank are forfeited at the conclusion of the discussion. In other embodiments, the tip bank funds may carry over from one discussion to the next. 
         [0015]    The object of the reward system is to incentivize and reward thoughtful comments. Further, because tipped money may be deposited into a user&#39;s “comment bank,” it will funnel the highest quality contributors to the top of the discussion, and also ensure that in a given forum, only the highest quality contributors will be rewarded for their contributions and left with additional funds to comment. As a comment receives more tips, it moves toward the top of the discussion, thus allowing the discussion&#39;s best comments to be viewed more frequently. 
         [0016]    Users may also have the ability to direct message with other forum users. The exchange may be controlled by the forum moderators to ensure only non-personal, pseudonymous information is automatically exchanged. However, in some embodiments users may use direct messaging to disclose their identities. The information exchanged via direct message may be monitored and controlled or unmonitored and uncontrolled as suitable for a given environment. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, each user account is assigned a random avatar after each user joins and makes his or her first contribution to the discussion. The avatar may be constant for that forum only. If the user buys-in and contributes to another forum, the user will receive a new avatar, thus fully isolating the contributor&#39;s comments from different forums. For example, in one exchange, a user&#39;s avatar may be “NQAXAU,” while in a second exchange, that user&#39;s avatar may be “RWJNS2” 
         [0018]    Further, some embodiments may have an avatar-scramble feature wherein each user views another user&#39;s avatar differently from other users. For example, in the same discussion, a user&#39;s avatar may appear as “6BJHBG” to one user, but “242RED” to another. 
         [0019]    Additionally, some embodiments may include an avatar-naming feature wherein users may have the ability to name another user for their own reference. The name one user gives to another user would only be visible to the user providing the name and not to any other user. For example, a user may change another user&#39;s avatar from “6BJHBG” to “Daniel,” making it easier to keep track of that user&#39;s comments within a specific forum. 
         [0020]    A discussion may be, at least in part, user moderated. For example, each displayed comment may include a link for flagging the comment for being in violation of the forum rules. In one example, when a comment is flagged by at least 20% of the users in a given discussion, the comment is automatically removed. In some embodiments, in order to flag a comment for removal, the user doing the flagging must commit some value for the comment bank to do so. For example, it may cost a user a nickel from the comment bank to flag another comment. If the comment if flagged by enough users to exceed the threshold for removal (in one example, exceed 20%), then the users that have flagged the comment get their money back. If the comment is not flagged by enough user to reach the threshold for removal, the user does not receive the money back and it is instead donated to the system. In other embodiments, the threshold for automatic removal and the value required to pledge in order to flag a comment may vary up or down. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, a discussion forum system, or a method of providing a discussion forum, includes: a central server in communication with a plurality of user devices in which each of the user devices provides a user interface through which an associated user communicates with the central server; the user interfaces facilitate user participation in an online discussion forum comprising a plurality of exchanges, in which each of the plurality of exchanges is an online discussion between two or more users in which each of the two or more users is represented by a pseudonymous avatar assigned by the central server at the time each of the two or more users joins one of the plurality of exchanges; in which at least a first user and a second user of the two or more users pay a required buy in associated with a first exchange of the plurality of exchanges to join the exchange and the value of each user&#39;s buy in is divided amongst a comment bank and a tip bank associated with each user; and in which, prior to allowing a comment made by the first user to post to the first exchange, the central server debits a first value from the comment bank associated with the first user and, in response to the posting of the comment, provides an opportunity for the second user to reward the first user with a payment from the second user&#39;s tip bank to the first user&#39;s comment bank. 
         [0022]    In some examples, each tip bank is associated with a single exchange and the value associated with each tip bank must be spent during the associated exchange or forfeited when the associated exchange ends. 
         [0023]    In some examples, when more than 20% of the users in the first exchange flag the comment for removal, it is automatically removed from the first exchange. The central server may debit a second value from the comment bank of the second user in response the second user flagging the content for removal. The central server may also credit the second value to the comment bank of the second user when the comment is automatically removed from the first exchange. 
         [0024]    The pseudonymous avatars assigned by the central server may be consistently displayed for each user such that the pseudonymous avatar assigned by the central server to the first user is displayed consistently to the second user and to a third user. Alternatively, the pseudonymous avatars assigned by the central server may be uniquely displayed for each user such that a pseudonymous avatar of the first user assigned by central server shown on a second user&#39;s user interface is not the same as a pseudonymous avatar of the first user assigned by central server shown on a third user&#39;s user interface. In still other examples, the pseudonymous avatar of first user assigned by the central server is replaced by a pseudonymous avatar of first user assigned by the second user when viewed on second user&#39;s user interface. In still further examples, the pseudonymous avatars assigned by the central server are uniquely displayed for each user in each of a plurality of discussions such that a pseudonymous avatar assigned by central server for the first user in the first exchange is not the same as a pseudonymous avatar assigned by the central server for the first user in a second exchange. 
         [0025]    In addition to the buy in, each exchange may include a minimum number of users participating in the conversation and a maximum number of users participating in the conversation. 
         [0026]    As shown, one of the key objectives of the system described herein is that the contributions are “unattributed” to a person. 
         [0027]    An object of the disclosed embodiment is to facilitate and accelerate conversation and collaboration in an Internet discussion forum through anonymity and a monetary recognition system that rewards insightful and thoughtful comments. 
         [0028]    One advantage of the disclosed invention is it provides complete anonymity to all users. This allows all users to provide unfiltered commentary without worry of being discriminated against because of their personal views. The anonymity feature protects each user from any personal retaliation because of their beliefs. 
         [0029]    Another advantage of the disclosed invention is it provides for a subscription based discussion forum system that includes a monetary recognition system that rewards users who provide more insight and better commentary than other users. Each user has a “tip bank” that allows them to tip users they believe provided high quality commentary. When a user receives a tip, they can deposit it into their own “comment bank” giving them more funds to provided additional commentary. This ensures that only the most insightful users are funneled to the top of the discussion forum. 
         [0030]    Yet another advantage of the invention is that a user&#39;s avatar is reset with every new forum the user joins, further strengthening users&#39; anonymity. 
         [0031]    Yet another advantage of the disclosed invention is the avatar-scramble feature wherein users in the same discussion view each other user&#39;s avatars differently, further strengthening users&#39; anonymity. 
         [0032]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The drawing Figs. depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the Figs., like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a discussion forum system. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a screenshot of an application embodying the discussion forum system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a screenshot of a main menu in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a screenshot of an active exchanges window in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a screenshot of an upcoming exchanges window in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a screenshot of an active exchanges window, sorted from newest to oldest, in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a screenshot of an active exchanges window, sorted from most trending to least trending, in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot of an active exchanges filter window in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a screenshot of an upcoming exchanges window in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a screenshot of an upcoming exchanges filter window in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 11  is a screenshot of a join exchange window displaying a form to join an exchange in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 12  is a screenshot of a create exchange window displaying a form to create an exchange in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 13  is a screenshot of an expanded category dropdown list of the window of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 14  is a screenshot of an expanded number of seats dropdown list of the window of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 15  is a screenshot of an add funds window in the application of  FIG. 2  including a form to add funds to the user&#39;s account. 
           [0049]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating how a user&#39;s funds are distributed within the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 17  is a screenshot of an avatar-reset feature in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 18  is a screenshot of an avatar-scramble feature in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 19  is a screenshot of an avatar-naming feature in the application of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0053]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of the components of a discussion forum system  20  (system  20 ) embodying the unique features and functions described herein. In the embodiment shown, users use their user devices  112  to participate in exchanges. Because the exchanges are typically online electronic-based discussions, the user devices  112  may be any device that enables its user to communicate in an online discussion, including devices such as smartphones, laptop computers, tablet computers, smartwatches, and the like. 
         [0054]    As further shown, a central system  108  coordinates the discussions by communicating with the user devices  112 . The central system  108  may be a server including software instructions  109  run by a controller  106  that communicates with user devices  112  through the Internet  102 . A database  104  in communication with the central system  108  may store data relating to the operation of the discussion forum system  20 , as will be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the descriptions provided herein. Wired or wireless communications links  110  relay communication between the user devices  112 , the Internet  102 , and the central system  108 . 
         [0055]    Each user accesses and interacts with the discussion forum system  20  through a user interface  114  provided on a user device  112 . In some examples, the user device  112  accesses a web page provided by the central system  108  that provides the user interface  114  described herein. In other examples, the user device  112  executes a program  113  that provides the user interface  114 . The user interface  114  provides the features and functions of the discussion forum system  20 , as further described herein with reference to  FIGS. 2-19 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary wireframe template  200  of the user interface  114  as provided through a user device  112 . As shown, the wireframe template  200  includes a top menu bar  210 , a main element  220 , and a bottom menu bar  230 . 
         [0057]    In the example shown, the top menu bar  210  includes a menu icon  212 , a main menu hyperlink  214 , and a “My Account” hypertext  216 . When selected, the menu icon  212  displays hypertexts that link to various windows within the user interface  114 . The main menu hyperlink  214 , which may be in the form of a hypertext with the name of the program  113  as the display text, links to the main menu of the user interface  114 . The “My Account” hypertext links to the user&#39;s account page. The account page may give the user the ability to update a user profile, update the user&#39;s billing information, add and withdraw funds, view a transaction history, and delete the account. The top menu bar  210  is generally locked near the top of the user interface  114  and, in the example provided in  FIGS. 2-19 , is visible in all active windows in the user interface  114 . Within the user interface  114 , the main element  220  generally provides the user the main content for each specific window. 
         [0058]    In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the bottom bar menu  230  includes an “Add Funds” button  232  and a “Total Balance” text area  234 . The “Add Funds” button  232  links to an aspect of the user interface  114  from which the user can add funds to the user&#39;s account. The “Total Balance” text area  234  displays the total funds currently available in the user&#39;s account. The bottom menu bar  210  is generally locked near the bottom of the user interface  114  and is visible in all active windows in the user interface  114 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary layout for a main menu  300  in the user interface  114 . The main menu  300  includes the top menu bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom menu bar  230 . The main menu window  300  provides links to various aspects of the user interface  114 . 
         [0060]    As shown, the main element  220  of the main menu  300  includes a “My Exchanges” button  310 , an “Active Exchanges” button  320 , an “Upcoming Exchanges” button  330 , and a “Create an Exchange” button  340 . The buttons  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340 , link to the aspects of the user interface  114  associated with each respective button. For example, the “My Exchanges” button  310  links to the “My Exchanges” window in user interface  114 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an exemplary layout of the user interface  114  for the “My Exchanges” window  400 . The “My Exchanges” button  310  on the main menu  300  links to the “My Exchanges” window  400 . The “My Exchanges” window  400  includes the top bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom bar  230 . The bottom menu bar  230  may include a “Create Exchange”  236  button that links to a window from which the user can add funds to the account. 
         [0062]    Generally, the main element  220  of the “My Exchanges” window displays a list of active and upcoming exchanges that the user has joined. An active exchange is an exchange that is still in progress, while an upcoming exchange is an exchange that is yet to begin. 
         [0063]    In the example shown, the main element  220  of the “My Exchanges” window  400  includes a title bar  410  that appears below the top menu bar  210 . The title bar  410  includes a title text area  411  that displays a title for the active window. The title text area  411  in the “My Exchanges” window  400  may display the text “My Exchanges.” 
         [0064]    The main element  220  of the “My Exchanges” window also includes a selection pane  420 , which provides an “Active” button  422   a  and an “Upcoming” button  422   b . When the user selects the “Active” button  422   a , the “My Exchanges” window  400  displays a list of ongoing exchanges the user has joined ( FIG. 4 ). When the user selects the “Upcoming” button  422   b , the “My Exchanges” window  400  displays a list exchanges the user has joined, but have not yet started ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0065]    As additionally shown, the main element  220  of the “My Exchanges” window may provide at least one exchange information box  430  that provides information relating to each particular exchange, including a title, brief summary, and category of the exchange. 
         [0066]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary layout of the “My Exchanges” window  400  for when the user selects the “Active” button  422   a . When the button  422   a  is selected, it may appear as a different color than the “Upcoming” button  422   b . Additionally, when the “Active” button  422   a  is selected, the main element  220  displays a list of open exchanges the user has joined. 
         [0067]    Further, when the “Active” button  422   a  is selected, the exchange information boxes  430  may include an active exchange description  431 , a “category” textbox  433 , a “closing time” textbox  434 , and an “earnings” textbox  437 . The active exchange description  431  may include a brief description of the exchange along with information regarding the total tips given out in the exchange, the total value of those tips, the number of total comments and replies in the exchange, and the total number of users who have joined the exchange. The active exchange description  431  may also serve as a hypertext that directs the user to the particular exchange. The “category” textbox  433  displays the classification (e.g. sports, politics) of the exchange. The “closing time” textbox  434  provides the number of days before the exchanges closes; while the “earnings” textbox  437  displays the total earnings the user has obtained from that particular exchange. 
         [0068]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary layout of the “My exchanges” window  400  for when the user selects the “Upcoming” button  422   b . When the button  422   b  is selected, it may appear as a different color than the “Upcoming” button  422   a . Additionally, when the “Upcoming” button  422   b  is selected, the main element  220  displays a list of upcoming exchanges the user has joined. In an embodiment, upcoming exchanges are exchanges that have not yet had a sufficient number of users join to make the exchange and active exchange. 
         [0069]    Further, when the “Upcoming” button  422   b  is selected, the exchange information boxes  430  may include an upcoming exchange description  432 , the “category” textbox  433 , and a “deadline” textbox  435 . The upcoming exchange description  432  may include a brief description of the exchange along with information regarding the number of users who have joined the exchange, the maximum number of users allowed in the exchange, and the minimum numbers of users required to activate the exchange. The “category” textbox  433  displays the classification (e.g. sports, politics) of the exchange. The “deadline” textbox  435  provides the deadline for when the exchange must meet the required number of users to become active. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate an exemplary layout of the user interface  114  for the “Active Exchanges” window  500 . The “Active Exchanges” button  320  on the main menu  300  links to the “Active Exchanges” window  500 . The “Active Exchanges” window  500  includes the top menu bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom menu bar  230 . 
         [0071]    Generally, the main element  220  of the “Active Exchanges” window  500  displays a list of all active exchanges. An active exchange is an exchange that is still in progress, with users leaving comments and responding to comments. 
         [0072]    The main element  220  of the “Active Exchanges” window  500  may include the title bar  410  that appears below the top menu bar  220 . The title bar  410  may include the title text area  411 , which displays the text “Active Exchanges” and a “Categories” hypertext  511 . The “Categories” hypertext  511  allows the user to filter exchanges based on category. As a default, the “Active Exchanges” window  500  may display exchanges from all categories. 
         [0073]    The middle section  220  may also include the selection pane  420  that provides a “Newest” button  522   a , a “Trending” button  522   b , a “Comments” button  522   c , and a “Value” button  522   d.    
         [0074]    When the user selects the “Newest” button  522   a , the “Active Exchanges” window  500  displays all current active exchanges sorted from newest to oldest. When the user selects the “Trending” button  522   b , the “Active Exchanges” window  500  displays all current active exchanges sorted by the most trending exchange to the least trending exchange. Trending exchanges may include those with the highest number of buy-ins in during a period (such as a day, week, etc.), the most comments in a period, the most replies in a period, etc. When the user selects the “Comments” button  522   c , the “Active Exchanges” window  500  displays all current exchanges sorted by the exchange with the highest number of comments to the exchange with the lowest number of comments. When the user selects the “Value” button  522   d , the “Active Exchanges” window  500  displays all current exchanges sorted by the exchange with the highest value to the exchange lowest value. Value for an exchange is that amount of available tips to be awarded to comments for that exchange. 
         [0075]    Additionally, the middle section  220  of the “active exchanges” website  500  may include one or more exchange information boxes  430  that provide information for that particular exchange, including the title, brief summary, and category of the exchange. 
         [0076]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary layout of the “Active Exchanges” window  500  for when the user selects the “Newest” button  522   a . When the button  522   a  is selected, the exchanges are sorted from newest to oldest. Additionally, when the “Newest” button  522   a  is selected, it may appear as a different color than the buttons  522   b ,  522   c , and  522   d.    
         [0077]    Further, when the “Newest” button  522   a  is selected, the exchange information boxes  430  may include the active exchange description  431 , the “category” textbox  433 , the “closing time” textbox  434 , and a “Buy In” button  537 . 
         [0078]    The active exchange description  431  may include a brief description of the exchange along with information regarding the total tips given out in the exchange, the total value of those tips, the number of total comments and replies, and the total number of users who have joined the exchange. The “category” textbox  433  displays the classification (e.g. sports, politics) of the exchange. The “closing time” textbox  434  provides the number of days before the exchanges closes. The “Buy In” button  537  provides a link to a separate window that allows the user to join that exchange. However, in a case where the exchange is full, and thus not able to be joined, the “Buy In” button may deactivate and display the text “Full”. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary layout of the “Active Exchanges” window  500  for when the user selects the “Trending” button  522   b . When the button  522   b  is selected, the exchanges are sorted from more trending to least trending. Additionally, when the button  522   b  is selected, it may appear as a different color than the buttons  522   a ,  522   c , and  522   d.    
         [0080]    Further, when the “Trending” button  522   b  is selected, the exchange information boxes  430  may include the active exchange description  431 , the “category” textbox  433 , the “closing time” textbox  434 , and the “Buy In” button  537 . 
         [0081]    The active exchange description  431  may include a brief description of the exchange along with information regarding the total tips given out in the exchange, the total value of those tips, the number of total comments and replies, and the total number of users who have joined the exchange. The “category” textbox  433  displays the classification (e.g. sports, politics) of the exchange. The “closing time” textbox  434  provides the number of days before the exchanges closes. The “Buy In” button  537  provides a link to a separate page that allows the user to join that exchange. However, in a case where the exchange is full, and thus not able to be joined, the “Buy In” button may deactivate and display the text “Full.” 
         [0082]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary layout of the user interface  114  of the “Active Exchanges” category filter dropdown menu  555 . When the user selects the “Categories” hypertext  511 , the “Active Exchanges” window displays the dropdown menu  555 . The dropdown menu  555  includes one or more “category selection” filter boxes  560  (e.g. all, politics, financial, sports). When the user selects a filter box  560 , the dropdown menu  555  closes and the “Active Exchanges” window  500  will only display exchanges from that category. Additionally, the “Categories” hypertext  511  may display text of the category the user is currently browsing. 
         [0083]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary layout of user interface  114  for the “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600 . The “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600  includes the top menu bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom menu bar  230 . Generally, the main element  220  of the “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600  provides a list of all upcoming exchanges. 
         [0084]    The main element  220  of the “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600  may include the title bar  410  that appears below the top menu bar  220 . The title bar  410  may include the title text area  411 , which displays the text “Upcoming Exchanges” and the “Categories” hypertext  511 . The “Categories” hypertext  511  allows the user to filter exchanges based on category. As a default, the “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600  may display exchanges from all categories. 
         [0085]    The middle section  220  of the “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600  may include one or more exchange information boxes  430 . The information boxes  430  include the upcoming exchange description  432 , the “category” text box  433 , the “deadline” textbox  435 , and the “Buy In” button  537 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary layout for the user interface  114  of the “Upcoming Exchanges” window category filter dropdown menu  555 . When the user selects the “Categories” button  511 , the “Upcoming Exchanges” window displays the dropdown menu  555 . The dropdown menu  555  includes one or more “category selection” filter button  560  (e.g. all, politics, financial, sports). When the user selects a filter box  560 , the dropdown menu  655  will close and the “Upcoming Exchanges” window  600  will only display exchanges from that category. Additionally, the “categories” button  511  may display text of the category the user is currently browsing. 
         [0087]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary user interface  114  of the “Buy In” window  700 . The “Buy In” button  537  as seen in  FIGS. 6,7, and 9  link to the “Buy In” window  700 . The “Buy In” window  700  may include the top menu bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom menu bar  230 . 
         [0088]    The middle section  220  of the “Buy In” window  700 , may include a title box  702 , a cancel button  704 , an “amount” textbox  706 , the exchange information box  430 , a “comment bank” textbox  720 , a “tip bank” text box, and “Buy In” submit button  730 . 
         [0089]    The title box  702  may display text indicating the purpose of the page, for example, the title box  702  may display the text, “Join the Conversation.” The cancel button  704 , if selected by the user, directs the user back to the list of exchanges. The “amount” textbox  706  displays the total buy in needed for that particular exchange. The exchange information box  430  includes the upcoming exchange description  432 , the “category” textbox  433 , and the “closing time” textbox  434 . The “comment bank” textbox  720  displays the amount of the buy in that will be deposited into the user&#39;s comment bank. The “tip bank” textbox  722  displays the amount of the buy in that will be deposited into the user&#39;s tip bank. The “buy in” submit button  730 , when selected by the user, submits the user&#39;s request to join the desired exchange. 
         [0090]      FIGS. 12, 13, and 14  illustrates an exemplary layout of the user interface  114  for a “Create Exchange” window  800 . The “Create Exchange” button  340  on the main menu window  300  and “Create Exchange” button  236  on the bottom menu bar  230  link to the “Create Exchange” window  800 . The “Create Exchange” window  800  allows the user to submit a web form to create an exchange. The window  800  may include the top menu bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom menu bar  230 . 
         [0091]    The main element  220  of the “Create Exchange” window  800  may include the title textbox  702 , the close button  704 , a “Select a Category” dropdown list  810 , a “Number of Seats” dropdown list  812 , a “Title” text input field  814 , a “Content” formatting menu, a “Content” text input field  818 , and a “Create Exchange” submit button  830 . 
         [0092]    The title textbox  702  may display text indicating the purpose or title of the page, for example, on the “Create Exchange” window  800 , the title box  702  may display the text, “Create Exchange.” The cancel button  704  closes the “Create Exchange” window and directs the user back to the home screen page  300 . The “category” selection dropdown list  810  allows the user to classify the exchange from set of categories that have been predefined by the program  113 . The “Number of Seats” selection dropdown list  812  allows the user to define seat and buy-in requirements from a set of predefined requirements from program  113 . 
         [0093]    The user can add the title of the exchange to the “Title” text input field  814  and a description of the exchange in the “Content” text input field  818 . The “Content” formatting menu allows the user to format the text in the “Content” text input field  818  and also add hyperlinks and images to the text input field  818 . 
         [0094]    “Create Exchange” submit button  830  allows the user to submit their request to create the exchange. 
         [0095]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary layout of the “Create Exchange” window  800  with the “Select Category” dropdown list  810  expanded. The expanded “Select Category” dropdown list  811  lists a variety of categories, including politics, financial, and sports that the user can use to classify their exchange. 
         [0096]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary layout of the “Create Exchange” window  800  with the “Number of Seats” dropdown list  811  expanded. The expanded “Number of Seats” dropdown list  813  includes requirements relating to the number of seats that must be filled before the exchange is activated, the maximum number of seats, and the buy in amount. For example, a “2/10 Buy-in $2.50” selection requires at least 2 filled seats, caps the total number of seats at  10 , and requires a $2.50 buy in. 
         [0097]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary layout of the user interface  114  for an “Add Funds” window  900 . The “Add Funds” button  232  on the bottom menu  230  links to the “Add Funds” window  900 . 
         [0098]    The “Add Funds” window  900  allows the user to submit a form to add funds to their account. The window  900  may include the top menu bar  210 , the main element  220 , and the bottom menu bar  230 . 
         [0099]    The main element  220  of the “Add Funds” window  900  may include a title textbox  702 , a close button  704 , deposit amount radio buttons  914  and a “Add Funds” submit button  930 . The title textbox  702  may display text indicating the purpose or title of the webpage, for example, on the “Add Funds” window  900 , the title box  702  may display the text, “Add Funds.” The cancel button  704  closes the “Add Funds” window and directs the user back to the previous active window. The radio button  914  allow the user to select a pre-defined amount or input another amount. The “Add Funds” submit button allows the user to submit their request to add funds to their account. 
         [0100]      FIG. 16  illustrates how a user&#39;s funds are appropriated after the user joins a discussion via the “Buy In” window  700  as seen in  FIG. 11 . After depositing money via the “Add Funds” window  900  as seen in  FIG. 15 , the user&#39;s funds are in appropriated to a “total funds” bank  1002 . When a user buys in  1004 , funds are deducted from the “total funds” bank  1002 . Upon buying in, the user&#39;s buy in amount will be split between a “Comment Bank”  1006  and “Tip Bank”  1008 . When a user post&#39;s a comment or replies to another user&#39;s comment, funds are deducted from the user&#39;s “Comment Bank”  1006 . When a user tips another user&#39;s comment, funds are deducted from the user&#39;s “Tip Bank”  1010 . 
         [0101]    If a user receives a tip,  1012 , the money is added into the user&#39;s “Comment Bank”  1006 . Upon expiration of the exchange, funds still present in the user&#39;s “Comment Bank”  1006  and “Tip Bank”  1010  are deposited back into the users “total funds” banks  1002 . The user can than user funds from the “total funds” bank  1002  to join more exchanges. 
         [0102]      FIG. 17  illustrates the avatar-reset feature wherein a user&#39;s avatar is reset for every discussion they join. In the first exchange  1101 , after the user posts a comment  1110   a , the central system  108  assigns the user a first avatar  1111   b . When the user joins a second exchange  1102  and posts a comment  1110   b , the central system  108  assigns the user a second avatar  1111   b . The first avatar  1111   a  is different than the second avatar  1111   b.    
         [0103]      FIG. 18  illustrates the avatar-scrambler feature wherein all users in the same forum view avatars differently than each other. A first user&#39;s exchange window  1103  and a second user&#39;s exchange window  1104  both display the same comments  1120 ,  1121 ,  1122 , and  1123 , which were each posted by the same users. In window  1103 , the comment  1120  includes an avatar  1125   a , while in window  1104 , the comment  1120  includes an avatar  1125   b . Avatar  1125   a  is a different string of alphanumeric characters than avatar  1125   b . Avatar  1125   a  is different than avatar  1125   b  even though both avatar&#39;s are linked to the same user comment  1120 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 19  illustrates the avatar-naming feature wherein a user can change the name of another&#39;s user avatar in a discussion, but in a manner in which the new name is only visible to the user changing the avatar. A user&#39;s exchange window  1105   a  and exchange window  1105   b  both display the same comments  1130 ,  1131 ,  1132 , and  1134 . Comment  1130  in window  1105   a  includes avatar  1135   a , which is a string of random alphanumeric characters. Comment  1130  in window  1105   b  is the same comment  1130  as in window  1105   a , but includes a user provided avatar  1135   b . After a user changes the name of another user&#39;s avatar, further comments by that user include the user-provided avatar. In this manner, a user may be able to better visualize and recognize which post comes from which user, while each user maintains pseudonymity. 
         [0105]    It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.