Patent ID: 8006193

Claim:
A method of operating a computer system comprising at least one processor and memory and allocating resources for users of a service, the service providing an interface for a user having an account on the service through which the user can perform first functions related to artifacts associated with the user's own account and second functions related to artifacts associated with accounts of other users, the method comprising: communicating an invitation from a user of the service to a prospective user to access the service; and with the at least one processor: presenting a prospective user interface for the prospective user, the prospective user interface simulating the user interface without enabling the prospective user to perform the first functions; offering, via the prospective user interface, to the prospective user an opportunity to utilize capabilities of the service comprising the first functions and the second functions; and in response to the prospective user accepting the offer, creating in the memory an account infrastructure on the service for the prospective user, wherein the account infrastructure enables the prospective user to maintain artifacts associated with an account on the service, and presenting a modified user interface for the prospective user, the modified user interface enabling the prospective user to perform the first functions and the second functions.