Abstract: A system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a computer-based commerce transaction is described. The system receives, from a first party, item information relating to an item to be offered for sale. The system generates user interface information including criterion information and communicates a user interface, over a network, to a client machine. The system receives from the client machine and from the first party at least a portion of the criterion information. The system parses to identify and extract at least one criterion from the criterion information that is automatically satisfied by a second party to qualify the second party to bid on the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for communicating a recommended item to a user are described. The method comprises determining that the user has a level of commitment to an item offered for sale, and, in response to this determination, communicating information concerning a recommended item to the user over a network. The recommended item is identified based on a set of longest words in a description of the item offered for sale.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a network-based commerce transaction is described. The system receives information from a first party. The information relates to an item to be transacted via a network-based commerce system. The system transmits the information that relates to the item to a second party and receives, from the second party, a request to be qualified to transact the item via the network-based commerce system. The system further transmits, to the first party, a communication comprising information that is related to the second party including a credit score related to the second party. The system further receives, from the first party, a response that corresponds to the communication and automatically performs an authorization process based on the response.

Abstract: A method and a system to facilitate differentiated levels of service in a network-based marketplace are described. The system may include a transaction monitor to monitor activity of a user with respect to a network-based marketplace; a status generator to generate a status within the network-based marketplace, for the user based at least partially on the monitored activity; and a user service module to provide service within the network-based marketplace to the user in accordance with the determined status of the user. Users may achieve a preferred user status within the network-based marketplace. A preferred user may receive preview listings of items that are not available to users who did not achieve a preferred user status. A preferred user may also receive personalized customer service within the network-based marketplace.

Abstract: A system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a computer-based commerce transaction is described. The system receives, from a first party, item information relating to an item to be offered for sale. The system generates user interface information including criterion information and communicates a user interface, over a network, to a client machine. The system receives from the client machine and from the first party at least a portion of the criterion information. The system parses to identify and extract at least one criterion from the criterion information that is automatically satisfied by a second party to qualify the second party to bid on the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: A system and method to control sending of unsolicited communications over a network is provided. Typically, the network is the Internet and the system defines a SPAM prevention tool for users of an on-line service, such as an on-line bidding service. Users may contact an intended recipient with a contact form, which is forwarded to the recipient's e-mail address by an on-line service provider. A link accessible from a Web site allows recipients of unsolicited e-mail to complain to the on-line service provider. Sanctions are implemented against the sender of unsolicited e-mail based on the frequency of complaints. When the complaint level against a sender reaches a certain threshold, the sender is unable to use the contact form for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a network-based commerce transaction is described. The system receives information from a first party. The information relates to an item to be transacted via a network-based commerce system. The system is further to receive, from a second party, a request to be qualified to transact the item via the network-based commerce system. The system is further to transmit, to the first party, a communication comprising information relating to the second party. The system is to further receive, from the first party, a response corresponding to the automatically generated communication and, responsive to receipt of the response, to automatically perform an authorization process based on the response.

Abstract: A system and method to control sending of unsolicited communications over a network is provided. Typically, the network is the Internet and the system defines a SPAM prevention tool for users of an on-line service, such as an on-line bidding service. Users may contact an intended recipient with a contact form, which is forwarded to the recipient's e-mail address by an on-line service provider. A link accessible from a Web site allows recipients of unsolicited e-mail to complain to the on-line service provider. Sanctions are implemented against the sender of unsolicited e-mail based on the frequency of complaints. When the complaint level against a sender reaches a certain threshold, the sender is unable to use the contact form for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for communicating a recommended item to a user are described. The method comprises determining that the user has a level of commitment to an item offered for sale, and, in response to this determination, communicating information concerning a recommended item to the user over a network. The recommended item is identified based on a set of longest words in a description of the item offered for sale.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for communicating a recommended item to a user of a network-based transaction facility are described. The method comprises determining that the user has been unsuccessful in concluding a transaction pertaining to an item offered for sale via the network-based transaction facility, and in response to this determination, communicating information concerning a recommended item to the user over a network. The recommended item is available for purchase via the network-based transaction facility.

Abstract: A system to facilitate computer-based commerce includes receiving information relating to an item to be transacted via a computer-based commerce system from a first party. Criterion information specifying at least one criterion to be satisfied by a second party in order for the second party to be qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system is received from the first party. An automatic determination is made as to whether the second party satisfies the at least one criterion and if so, then the second party is automatically qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: A system to facilitate computer-based commerce includes receiving information relating to an item to be transacted via a computer-based commerce system from a first party. Criterion information specifying at least one criterion to be satisfied by a second party in order for the second party to be qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system is received from the first party. An automatic determination is made as to whether the second party satisfies the at least one criterion and if so, then the second party is automatically qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: A system and method to control sending of unsolicited communications over a network is provided. Typically, the network is the Internet and the system defines a SPAM prevention tool for users of an on-line service, such as an on-line bidding service. Users may contact an intended recipient with a contact form, which is forwarded to the recipient's e-mail address by an on-line service provider. A link accessible from a Web site allows recipients of unsolicited e-mail to complain to the on-line service provider. Sanctions are implemented against the sender of unsolicited e-mail based on the frequency of complaints. When the complaint level against a sender reaches a certain threshold, the sender is unable to use the contact form for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and a system to facilitate differentiated levels of service in a network-based marketplace are described. The system may include a transaction monitor to monitor activity of a user with respect to a network-based marketplace; a status generator to generate a status within the network-based marketplace, for the user based at least partially on the monitored activity; and a user service module to provide service within the network-based marketplace to the user in accordance with the determined status of the user. Users may achieve a preferred user status within the network-based marketplace. A preferred user may receive preview listings of items that are not available to users who did not achieve a preferred user status. A preferred user may also receive personalized customer service within the network-based marketplace.

Abstract: A method and a system to facilitate differentiated levels of service in a network-based marketplace are described. The system may include a transaction monitor to monitor activity of a user with respect to a network-based marketplace; a status generator to generate a status within the network-based marketplace, for the user based at least partially on the monitored activity; and a user service module to provide service within the network-based marketplace to the user in accordance with the determined status of the user. Users may achieve a preferred user status within the network-based marketplace. A preferred user may receive preview listings of items that are not available to users who did not achieve a preferred user status. A preferred user may also receive personalized customer service within the network-based marketplace.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a network-based commerce transaction is described. The system receives information from a first party. The information relates to an item to be transacted via a network-based commerce system. The system is further to receive, from a second party, a request to be qualified to transact the item via the network-based commerce system. The system is further to transmit, to the first party, a communication comprising information relating to the second party. The system is to further receive, from the first party, a response corresponding to the automatically generated communication and, responsive to receipt of the response, to automatically perform an authorization process based on the response.

Abstract: An expertise level in a first field of a first user is determined. Then expertise levels in the first field of users related to the first user are determined. An expertise designation is assigned to the first user based on the expertise level in the first field of the first user and the expertise levels in the first field of users related to the first user.

Abstract: A characteristic value for a characteristic of a first participant in a game is rated. Then characteristic values for characteristics of one or more participants associated with the first participant in the game are rated. An individual rating is provided for the first participant based on the characteristic value for the characteristic of the first participant. A community rating is provided for the first participant based on the characteristic values for the characteristics of the one or more participants associated with the first participant.

Abstract: Trust levels are associated to each of a plurality of entities related to a first entity. S trust level is calculated for the first entity based on the associated trust levels to each of the plurality of entities related to the first entity. The trust level for the first entity is used to evaluate a potential transaction involving the first entity.

Abstract: Information about a first characteristic of one or more entities related to a first entity is obtained. Then one or more characteristic values are calculated for the first characteristic of the one or more entities related to the first entity. Then a first rating is assigned to the first entity based on the one or more characteristic values for the first characteristic of the one or more entities related to the first entity.