Abstract: A threaded text discussion or chat system includes a client graphical user interface that is rendered on display screens of user computers. In one implementation, the user interface includes a threaded discussion message pane and a social accounting pane that are rendered simultaneously adjacent each other on the display screen. Within the threaded discussion message pane, messages or turns are rendered or listed in a threaded or tree structure. The social accounting pane displays identifying information about each past and current member of a discussion.

Abstract: Information is provided about the histories of authors in a computer mediated persistent conversation such as a newsgroup. The information may include any or all of how long an author has been active in the group, in what other newsgroups the author participates, to what other threads of conversation the author contributes, and which other participants the author most often engages in discussion. This information may be obtained as an aggregation of data obtained from the groups or communities automatically. The information about any selected user or group is then made available or otherwise provided to any other users so that they can decide whether the selected user or group is likely to provide helpful or useful information. Also, particular message type indicators may be applied to messages when they are posted by users. The message type indicators may also be obtained as an aggregation of data obtained from the groups or communities automatically.

Abstract: An interactive collaborative information visualization system provides improved visualizations of relationships or connections in collaborative information relating to network interaction media such as email and email lists, conferencing systems and bulletin boards, chats, multi-user dungeons (MUDs), multi-user games and graphical virtual worlds, etc. In one implementation, network graphs in various display or visualization formats represent the collaborative information as nodes that are connected together by links. With reference to collaborative information about Usenet newsgroups, one visualization format provides an inter-group visualization in which newsgroup nodes are linked together by links representing messages that are cross-posted between the newsgroups. Other visualization format can be provided. In one implementation, a graphical user interface allows a user to control the database filter to select the selected portion of the collaborative information to be obtained and measured.

Abstract: A device for use with a skateboard and a skateboard truck assembly to facilitate the removal and replacement of various component parts of a skateboard truck assembly including the bushings and the tension bolt, which is used to join the base plate and the axle assembly. The bolt, which is inserted through the aligned apertures in the axle assembly and the base plate, penetrates into the area beneath the base plate where it emerges and mates with the threaded nut. The device is supported by the bottom surface of the board and held stationary inside a pocket formed within the underside of the base plate and consists of integrally formed components including a generally flat base, a sloped guide platform situated upon the base, and an upstanding heel section formed at the base of the sloped guide platform. The guide platform is constructed according to a specific angle of inclination to fix the nut's orientation and to enable the nut and the threaded end of the bolt to properly align and engage.

Abstract: A skateboard truck assembly that includes a skateboard, a mounting plate, which is used to mount the truck assembly to the underside of the board, a mounting bracket to bridge the truck assembly to the mounting plate and an axle assembly, which includes axle rods, axle hubs and two wheels. The axle assembly is generally arcuate in shape and includes a lower surface with a more pronounced arcuate design and a central arched section. Each axle rod extends outwardly from the central arched section and slopes down to a terminus point adjacent to the inside portion of the wheel where the axle rod flares relative to the size of the axle hub to conform to the interior sidewall of the wheel and the underside of the flared axle rod coincides in substantial aligned relation with the corresponding wheel tread.

Abstract: A flexible tarpaulin is rolled about a drum mounted on an axle that is secured to a rigid deck by mounting brackets. A spring acting between the axle and the drum serves to retract the tarpaulin onto the drum. A releasable retraction lock may be used to prevent retraction. The tarpaulin has apertures spaced along its edges and a plurality of fasteners are employed having latching pins that extend through the apertures into anchors embedded in the deck to secure the tarpaulin over the pool.