Abstract: An online message board system monitors message traffic generated by subscribers so that intelligent decisions can be made concerning what types of content to locate and retrieve, what priority to use for locating such content, how to organize such content for ease of access by the subscribers, etc. A series of software robots are used to locate, retrieve and sort the content as derived from other online news groups. By studying subscriber message traffic, the system can self-tune itself automatically to constantly adjust content retrieval, storage and presentation in response to changing community interests, desires, and the like. Because subscriber feedback is accounted for and incorporated into the design of the message board system, this enhances the experience for online users, resulting in increased system usage, subscriber retention characteristics, etc.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is provided for capturing application data in picture form. A set of data capture tools, including a subjective data parameter pallette and accompanying data canvas, are presented to an operator during an interactive session. By selecting and placing such data parameters on the data canvas, a user can paint a data picture representing his/her subjective motivations, mental impressions, reasons, etc., for engaging in a particular transaction. In a preferred embodiment, the present interface is used in connection with a stock portfolio management application, where it is used to capture user rationale and logic for purchasing or selling financial instruments such as securities, options, etc.