Patent ID: 8732186

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving search topics from a plurality of users, the search topics being submitted by a plurality of control components via a network, each control component corresponding to a different particular one of the plurality of users, each control component providing a connection path in the network; receiving a request from a first user for a list of search topics submitted by the control components of the plurality of other users, the request being submitted by the first user's control component via the network; using a processor to generate for the first user in response to the request, the list of search topics submitted by the control components of the plurality of other users, items in the list including at least a portion of the search topics submitted by the control components of the plurality of other users, each item in the list corresponding to the control component of the one or more of the plurality of other users from whom a corresponding search topic was received and with whom a conversation can be initiated; using the first user's control component to configure each item in the list for user activation; and upon activation of a list item in the list by the first user, establishing a conversation between the first user and a second user by use of the first user's control component, the connection path to the second user's control component, and the second user's control component, the second user's control component corresponding to the list item activated by the first user, the activated list item including at least a portion of the search topic submitted by the control component of the second user.