Abstract: A method and system for event polling have been disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a session request from a client device. A session key is provided to the client device in response to the session request. A session timer is set for a predetermined time period. An event revision number is received from the server device. The client is provided with an updated event revision number if the event revision number matches an expected revision number. An event from an instant messaging server is placed in a queue until the event revision number matches the expected revision number, the event including one or more of instant messages, buddy events, typing, and application events.

Abstract: Techniques for persisting an advertisement across multiple web pages served from page-view based websites. The advertisement is persisted across multiple pages served from page-view based websites without creating new advertisement impressions. This reduces the number of advertisement impressions and also extends the amount of time that a particular advertisement can be shown to a user even as the user navigates across multiple web pages.

Abstract: Techniques for customizing the delivery of advertisements to a client. In one embodiment, the customization comprises dynamically determining a length of time for an advertisement, where the length of time represents the minimum amount of time for which the advertisement is to be output (e.g., displayed) by a client. The length of time may be dynamically determined on a per-advertisement based upon multiple criteria.

Abstract: Techniques that enable instant communications services to be provisioned for an online community of users such that the members of the community can interact with each other using instant communications including using instant messaging (IM). In one embodiment, an instant communications facilitator operating from a first domain may provision instant communication services for members of an online community maintained in different domains from the first domain.

Abstract: Techniques that enable content from a web page to be shared directly with one or more targets, which may be an application, a buddy from a buddy list (e.g., in a chat application), and the like. An embodiment of the present invention can identify contents on a web page that are to be made sharable and make the identified contents sharable. The content that is made sharable can then be shared with a share target using, for example, drag and drop operations. For example, a user may select sharable content on a web page, drag the content to a target, and drop it directly on the target thereby sharing the content with the target.