Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for identifying a suspect application based on multiple operating factors from use of multiple applications. The embodiments can generate a representative distribution of a selected factor based on collected information corresponding to multiple operating factors from use of multiple applications. The embodiments can compare a representative distribution of a target factor with the representative distribution of the selected factor and identify a suspect application when these distributions are different.

Abstract: An online system extracts features from an application linked to the online system. The application is used by users of the online system and posts content to the online system. A trained model is applied to the extracted features to generate a quality score for the application. The trained model is trained using features extracted from a set of training applications and quality scores manually assigned to the training applications, wherein the manually assigned quality scores indicate whether each training application satisfies a set of criteria and the generated quality score represents a probability of the application satisfying the set of criteria. Based on the quality score, content provided by the application is ranked for presentation to a user of the online system in relation to other content of the online system. The online system presents the content provided by the application to the user according to the ranking.

Abstract: An electronic device with a display detects an input in a user interface for a second application not associated with a server system. In response to detecting the first input, the device sends a first request from the second application to a first application associated with the server system. In response to the first request, the device sends a first command from the first application to the server system on behalf of the second application. The first command is a command for performance of a first operation at the server system. The first operation corresponds to the input detected by the device. The device receives a voucher, or an indication that a voucher has been created, at the second application pre-authorizing performance of a predefined second operation at the server system upon receipt, by the server system, of a second command from the second application.

Abstract: An online system extracts features from an application linked to the online system. The application is used by users of the online system and posts content to the online system. A trained model is applied to the extracted features to generate a quality score for the application. The trained model is trained using features extracted from a set of training applications and quality scores manually assigned to the training applications, wherein the manually assigned quality scores indicate whether each training application satisfies a set of criteria and the generated quality score represents a probability of the application satisfying the set of criteria. Based on the quality score, content provided by the application is ranked for presentation to a user of the online system in relation to other content of the online system. The online system presents the content provided by the application to the user according to the ranking.

Abstract: An online system extracts features from an application linked to the online system. The application is used by users of the online system and posts content to the online system. A trained model is applied to the extracted features to generate a quality score for the application. The trained model is trained using features extracted from a set of training applications and quality scores manually assigned to the training applications, wherein the manually assigned quality scores indicate whether each training application satisfies a set of criteria and the generated quality score represents a probability of the application satisfying the set of criteria. Based on the quality score, content provided by the application is ranked for presentation to a user of the online system in relation to other content of the online system. The online system presents the content provided by the application to the user according to the ranking.

Abstract: An electronic device with a display detects an input in a user interface for a second application not associated with a server system. In response to detecting the first input, the device sends a first request from the second application to a first application associated with the server system. In response to the first request, the device sends a first command from the first application to the server system on behalf of the second application, for performance of a first operation at the server system. The first operation corresponds to the input detected by the device. The device receives a voucher, or an indication that a voucher has been created, at the second application pre-authorizing performance of a predefined second operation at the server system upon receipt, by the server system, of a second command from the second application.

Abstract: A method of operation of a URL spam detection system includes: identifying a feature dimension of a user action on a social networking system to detect anomalies; extracting URL chunks from a content associated with the user action; aggregating a non-content feature of the user action along the feature dimension into a URL distribution store to produce a feature distribution for each of the URL chunks; determining whether the feature distribution of a particular URL chunk within the URL chunks exceeds an expectation threshold for the feature dimension; and classifying the particular URL chunk as an illegitimate URL when the feature distribution exceeds the expectation threshold to restrict access to a particular URL chunk on a social networking system.

Abstract: An online system extracts features from an application linked to the online system. The application is used by users of the online system and posts content to the online system. A trained model is applied to the extracted features to generate a quality score for the application. The trained model is trained using features extracted from a set of training applications and quality scores manually assigned to the training applications, wherein the manually assigned quality scores indicate whether each training application satisfies a set of criteria and the generated quality score represents a probability of the application satisfying the set of criteria. Based on the quality score, content provided by the application is ranked for presentation to a user of the online system in relation to other content of the online system.

Abstract: To allow for detection of links to spam within a social networking system by identifying entities based on uniform resource locators (URLs). Identifiers that include at least one parent entity identifier representing a parent entity and at least one child entity identifier representing a child entity are extracted from URLs. An identifier sequence including the at least one parent entity identifier is designated as an attributable sequence when the child entity accounts for a value of traffic received by the parent entity that does not satisfy a threshold. In an embodiment, the child entity may be identified as an actionable target. The URLs may be classified within a hierarchical structure based on the identifiers. The hierarchical structure may comprise at least one parent node representing the parent entity and at least one child node representing the child entity. The hierarchical structure may be a tree.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for identifying a suspect application based on multiple operating factors from use of multiple applications. The embodiments can generate a representative distribution of a selected factor based on collected information corresponding to multiple operating factors from use of multiple applications. The embodiments can compare a representative distribution of a target factor with the representative distribution of the selected factor and identify a suspect application when these distributions are different.

Abstract: A method of operation of a URL spam detection system includes: identifying a feature dimension of a user action on a social networking system to detect anomalies; extracting URL chunks from a content associated with the user action; aggregating a non-content feature of the user action along the feature dimension into a URL distribution store to produce a feature distribution for each of the URL chunks; determining whether the feature distribution of a particular URL chunk within the URL chunks exceeds an expectation threshold for the feature dimension; and classifying the particular URL chunk as an illegitimate URL when the feature distribution exceeds the expectation threshold to restrict access to a particular URL chunk on a social networking system.

Abstract: A communication icon represents a shared connection allowing members of an online group to interact with each other and participate in different activities together. The icon through which the group interacts resides on each group member's desktop and has many attributes including click activation modes and drag and drop functionality. The icon provides each group member with a representation of the group's shared relationship. Any group member can change the group icon and have that change propagated to the computers of the other members of the group. The icon can be activated for both non-verbal and verbal communications as well as activity sharing. Online members of the group are kept apprised of the group's status and activities via a displayed status bar.

Abstract: A communication icon represents a shared connection allowing members of an online group to interact with each other and participate in different activities together. The icon through which the group interacts resides on each group member's desktop and has many attributes including click activation modes and drag and drop functionality. The icon provides each group member with a representation of the group's shared relationship. Any group member can change the group icon and have that change propagated to the computers of the other members of the group. The icon can be activated for both non-verbal and verbal communications as well as activity sharing. Online members of the group are kept apprised of the group's status and activities via a displayed status bar.

Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.

Abstract: A communication icon represents a shared connection allowing members of an online group to interact with each other and participate in different activities together. The icon through which the group interacts resides on each group member's desktop and has many attributes including click activation modes and drag and drop functionality. The icon provides each group member with a representation of the group's shared relationship. Any group member can change the group icon and have that change propagated to the computers of the other members of the group. The icon can be activated for both non-verbal and verbal communications as well as activity sharing. Online members of the group are kept apprised of the group's status and activities via a displayed status bar.

Abstract: A method is provided to match an unknown data point with a known data point contained in a multi-dimensional data structure. The method may include receiving data from any multi-dimensional source where a query may be used to locate specific data points within that source. The method receives a number of inputs, including a Euclidean error distance and a number of reference points to use. Furthermore, the method determines optimal reference points to locate a relatively small number of data points within the data structure that possibly match the unknown point. Once possible match points are located, the method then determines the unknown point's match.

Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.

Abstract: A method is provided to match an unknown data point with a known data point contained in a multi-dimensional data structure. The method may include receiving data from any multi-dimensional source where a query may be used to locate specific data points within that source. The method receives a number of inputs, including a Euclidean error distance and a number of reference points to use. Furthermore, the method determines optimal reference points to locate a relatively small number of data points within the data structure that possibly match the unknown point. Once possible match points are located, the method then determines the unknown point's match.

Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has a front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that the recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. Thus, the server-based card exchange appears to users as an exchange in the physical world.

Abstract: A globally relevant playlist presented. A globally relevant playlist includes track references corresponding to a plurality of tracks. Each track reference includes a global track identifier that uniquely identifies the corresponding referenced track among any number of computers or computing devices. A method for playing tracks according to a globally relevant playlist is presented. A track referenced in the playlist is selected. It is determined whether the track is locally accessible according to the global track identifier. If the track is accessible, it is played. If the track is not locally accessible, the track is retrieved from a track source associated with the track and according to the global track identifier. A method for downloading tracks to a player device according to a globally relevant playlist is also presented.