Abstract: A method and system for retrieving and normalizing product information are described. The system retrieves product information from sources that are accessed over a network. Next, the system creates markup language based on the product information. The markup language includes a first attribute-value pair that includes a first attribute and a first value. Next, the system normalizes the markup language by translating the first attribute to a second attribute responsive to an identification of the first attribute in a list that includes a plurality of attributes that are associated with a first product and the second attribute. The second attribute is a canonical representation of the plurality of attributes respectively.

Abstract: A system comprises a server coupled to a database via a network. The server is configured to cause one or more reviews stored in the database to be displayed on a remote client display connected to the network, and provide an interactive element associated with each of the displayed reviews on the client display. The interactive element, when selected by a user, generates an indication that the user has found a displayed review helpful in assessing an object of the review. The server is also configured to receive, via the network, the indication that the user selected the interactive element, and increment a count of a stored number of indications for the review when the received indication is a first indication received from the user in connection with the displayed review.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and displaying information on a product at a website, and related method for storing a product's various identifiers, where the system comprises a database that stores a plurality of identifiers for each product and the relationships between the identifiers. The system recognizes the different identifiers that refer to the same product. The system accepts product information from a variety of sources, regardless of the product identifier used by the sources. The system then sends out the product information to users and to other servers.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying and sorting items of content, such as product/service reviews in a database coupled to a distributed communication network such as the Internet. Content from the database is displayed on a client display connected to the database over the network. An interactive element associated with the displayed content item is provided on the client display, which a user clicks to indicate that the user has found the displayed item helpful (such as in determining whether or not to purchase or to use a product/service in the case of a displayed product or service review). The database keeps track of the number of indications and stores the number as a count of the number of indications for the content. The number of indications associated with an item of content on the client display is then displayed together with the content. A client may sort content items according to the number of indications received.

Abstract: A method to facilitate pre-ordering of an offering via a network-based transaction facility includes, responsive to user identification of an offering, communicating offering information to the user regarding the offering. In conjunction with the offering information, a selectable option is communicated to the user to pre-order the offering by specifying pre-order attribute information. Following selection the pre-order option by a user and provision of the pre-order attribute information, a pre-order relating to an item is recorded at the transaction facility. The pre-order specifies a plurality of pre-order attributes. An offer to sell the item is received at the transaction facility, the offer specifying a plurality of offer attributes. A matching operation is automatically performed to detect a correspondence between the pre-order and the offer.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seller in a multi-seller environment in which multiple sellers are offering for sale one or more goods desired by the buyer. A criterion for selecting a seller may be specified by the buyer or an intermediary. After identifying a seller offering the desired good(s) for sale, a seller is selected which best satisfies the criterion. More than one criterion may be specified. If the buyer desires to purchase multiple goods, a seller offering one or more of the multiple goods may be selected or a seller solution including a combination of sellers may be selected. A computer-implemented method and an apparatus for carrying out the computer-implemented method is also provided.