Abstract: A system and method for providing modifications to an offline virtual asset is provided. A virtual asset is identified within a virtual environment and stored on offline storage media. The certificate of authenticity includes a digest of the virtual asset and a digital signature by an asset authority. Proposed changes are maintained to the offline virtual asset, which is authenticated via the certificate of authenticity. Each of the proposed changes is evaluated and only the proposed changes to the offline virtual asset that are determined to be satisfactory based on the evaluation are accepted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating waymarks is provided. A database of waymarks is maintained. Each waymark is associated with a category. A new waymark is generated. Geospatial data defining a location, metadata describing a physical object associated with the location, and at least one photograph of the location are received from a user. The geospatial data, metadata, and photograph are complied as the new waymark. One of the categories is assigned to the new waymark. The new waymark is added to the database. A search option is provided for accessing the waymark by at least one of the location and category.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for compiling event cartridges is provided. A request for one of a plurality of stored event cartridges is received from a user device. Each cartridge includes a thematically related sequence of events. Information regarding the user device on which the cartridge is to be executed is obtained. A type of the user device is determined based on the device information. Scripts for the events of the requested cartridge are accessed and compiled based on the type of user device. The compiled scripts are transmitted to the user device as the requested cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method for providing modifications to an offline virtual asset is provided. A virtual asset is identified within a virtual environment and stored on offline storage media. The certificate of authenticity includes a digest of the virtual asset and a digital signature by an asset authority. Proposed changes are maintained to the offline virtual asset, which is authenticated via the certificate of authenticity. Each of the proposed changes is evaluated and only the proposed changes to the offline virtual asset that are determined to be satisfactory based on the evaluation are accepted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing recognized offline modification of a virtual asset are provided. A virtual asset that includes parameters that each have intrinsic significance within a virtual environment defined exclusively by a central server is identified. Qualitative rules including characteristics of the parameters are defined. The virtual asset is stored on storage media offline from the central server. Proposed changes to at least one of the parameters of the virtual asset applied by a client application are maintained and are stored on the storage media The virtual asset is authenticated on behalf of the central server through an asset authority. When authenticated, each proposed change is evaluated against the characteristics of the parameters as defined in the qualitative rules and only those proposed changes that are satisfactory are accepted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing categories of waymarks is provided. Waymark records are each associated with a category and maintained on a database. Each waymark record includes metadata associated with at least one variable and one or more attributes specifying a type of the metadata for each variable. Access to the database is provided. A user having access to the database is identified based on a list of authorized users. A request from the user to present one such category and the associated waymark records is received. At least one waymark record from the requested category is processed. Input metadata is received from the user consistent with the variables and the attributes for that waymark record. At least a portion of the metadata is replaced with the input metadata.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for compiling event cartridges is provided. A request for one of a plurality of stored event cartridges is received from a user device. Each cartridge includes a thematically related sequence of events. Information regarding the user device on which the cartridge is to be executed is obtained. A type of the user device is determined based on the device information. Scripts for the events of the requested cartridge are accessed and compiled based on the type of user device. The compiled scripts are transmitted to the user device as the requested cartridge.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating waymarks is provided. A database of waymarks is maintained. Each waymark is associated with a category. A new waymark is generated. Geospatial data defining a location, metadata describing a physical object associated with the location, and at least one photograph of the location are received from a user. The geospatial data, metadata, and photograph are complied as the new waymark. One of the categories is assigned to the new waymark. The new waymark is added to the database. A search option is provided for accessing the waymark by at least one of the location and category.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a location based search for event cartridges is provided. A database of cartridges is maintained. Each cartridge includes a sequence of triggerable events and origin geolocational data for a start location for execution of the triggerable events. A server is operatively coupled to the database and interfaces to a user device having a display and user input controls. A user request from the user device is processed. The user request, including a location of the user device, is received. The cartridges are searched by comparing the location of the user device and the start location for each cartridge. Those cartridges with the start location proximate to the location of the user device are selected. The selected cartridges are provided to the user device as a menu on the display and are further selectable through the user input controls.

Abstract: A system and method for compiling geospatial data for on-line collaboration is provided. A database of categories is maintained. Each category includes one or more waymarks and is associated with at least one variable having one or more attributes, which each specify a type of data storable under that variable. A search is performed and one of the categories is selected. A new waymark is formed under the selected category. First, geospatial data defining a location is received from a user. Second, metadata describing a physical object associated with a location is received. One or more of the attributes, which each specify the type of data in agreement with the metadata is defined. Third, the geospatial data is compiled with the metadata for the new waymark. The new waymark is stored under the selected category. The new waymark is published on-line.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a guided user interface to process waymark records is provided. Categories of published waymark records are maintained in a database. Each category is associated with at least one variable and one or more attributes, which each specify a type of metadata for the variables. The variables and attributes are presented for one of the categories in response to a request from a user. A user interface is applied to process input metadata for a physical object that is received from the user via the user interface. A consistency of the input metadata with the variables and attributes associated with the category is determined. The consistent input metadata is complied as a waymark record for the physical object. The waymark record is published and displayed on a map.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a guided user interface to process waymark records is provided. Categories of published waymark records are maintained in a database. Each category is associated with at least one variable and one or more attributes, which each specify a type of metadata for the variables. The variables and attributes are presented for one of the categories in response to a request from a user. A user interface is applied to process input metadata for a physical object that is received from the user via the user interface. A consistency of the input metadata with the variables and attributes associated with the category is determined. The consistent input metadata is complied as a waymark record for the physical object. The waymark record is published and displayed on a map.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing recognized offline modification of a virtual asset are provided. A virtual asset that includes parameters that each have intrinsic significance within a virtual environment defined exclusively by a central server is identified. Qualitative rules including characteristics of the parameters are defined. The virtual asset is stored on storage media offline from the central server. Proposed changes to at least one of the parameters of the virtual asset applied by a client application are maintained and are stored on the storage media The virtual asset is authenticated on behalf of the central server through an asset authority. When authenticated, each proposed change is evaluated against the characteristics of the parameters as defined in the qualitative rules and only those proposed changes that are satisfactory are accepted.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a location based search for event cartridges is provided. A database of cartridges is maintained. Each cartridge includes a sequence of triggerable events and origin geolocational data for a start location for execution of the triggerable events. A server is operatively coupled to the database and interfaces to a user device having a display and user input controls. A user request from the user device is processed. The user request, including a location of the user device, is received. The cartridges are searched by comparing the location of the user device and the start location for each cartridge. Those cartridges with the start location proximate to the location of the user device are selected. The selected cartridges are provided to the user device as a menu on the display and are further selectable through the user input controls.

Abstract: A system and method for compiling geospatial data for on-line collaboration is provided. A database of categories is maintained. Each category includes one or more waymarks and is associated with at least one variable having one or more attributes, which each specify a type of data storable under that variable. A search is performed and one of the categories is selected. A new waymark is formed under the selected category. First, geospatial data defining a location is received from a user. Second, metadata describing a physical object associated with a location is received. One or more of the attributes, which each specify the type of data in agreement with the metadata is defined. Third, the geospatial data is compiled with the metadata for the new waymark. The new waymark is stored under the selected category. The new waymark is published on-line.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating ad hoc compilation of geospatial data for on-line collaboration is provided. One or more categories under which to store waymarks in a geospatial data sharing database with an exportable schema are dynamically defined. Each waymark associates geospatial data with metadata as an unstructured information cache. At least one variable is dynamically associated with each such category to identify the metadata. One or more attributes specifying a type of metadata storable in identity are defined with each such variable. The categories are published on-line by storing the geospatial data and the metadata as waymarks under one such category and accessing the stored waymarks in response to user requests.