Abstract: Method and system for providing solutions to problems including generating problem definitions for problems, receiving environmental information required for generating solutions for the problems, generating solutions for the problems dependent upon the environmental information and the problem definitions, and communicating solutions to clients before the solutions are disclosed. A solution server comprising a processor coupled to at least one source of environmental information and coupled to at least one client, the processor programmed to generate problem definitions for problems, receive environmental information required for generating solutions for the problems, generate solutions for the problems dependent upon the environmental information and the problem definitions, and communicate solutions to clients before the solutions are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes aggregating investment data and real-time trade data of investors. The method further includes ranking the investors according to investment performance derived from the investment data, and generating ratings for positions held by the investors using the ranking and the real-time trade data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: Method and system for providing solutions to problems including generating problem definitions for problems, receiving environmental information required for generating solutions for the problems, generating solutions for the problems dependent upon the environmental information and the problem definitions, and communicating solutions to clients before the solutions are disclosed. A solution server comprising a processor coupled to at least one source of environmental information and coupled to at least one client, the processor programmed to generate problem definitions for problems, receive environmental information required for generating solutions for the problems, generate solutions for the problems dependent upon the environmental information and the problem definitions, and communicate solutions to clients before the solutions are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting, in a broker-dealer system for automated trading of securities, a path for sending an order for securities to a terminus market, in which the broker-dealer system includes at least one port, the port being coupled through at least one path to at least one terminus market, wherein each path includes at least one direct link between a port and a market system and optionally one or more additional links between the said market system and other market systems, each path having a first terminus at a port and a second terminus at a terminus market, terminus markets being markets to which orders for securities are sent by the broker-dealer system.