Patent ID: 8473386

Claim:
A method, comprising: determining, via a computing device, responsive to a request from a first member of a social network, a preference of a second member of the social network comprising a scheduled callable period of the second member and a social distance limit pre-identified by the second member; wherein the determining is based at least in part on characteristics of a social connection between the first member and the second member in the social network, the first member and the second member having no direct social connection in the social network, the characteristics of the social connection comprising: the presence of a third member pre-identified by the second member on the social connection between the first member and the second member; and a social distance between the first member and the second member in the social network, wherein the social distance does not exceed the social distance limit pre-identified by the second member; identifying, via the computing device, a price specified by the second member for real time communications with the second member, wherein the price is dependent on the social distance between the first member and the second member in the social network; and facilitating a real time communications connection between the first member and the second member in accordance with the preference; and identifying an amount for charging the second member, wherein the amount is dependent on the social distance between the first member and the second member in the social network.