Abstract: Generation/rendering of a 2D perspective/view of a geographic region, e.g. a map the world or portion thereof, superimposed over which are indicators of related data items and graphical representations of the relationships therebetween is disclosed. Based on location data associated with each data item, a relative geographic presentation within, or otherwise superimposed over, the 2D presentation is generated relative to a 3D representation of the geographic region. Graphical interconnections are then derived based on the positions of the data items relative to each other and depicted in a manner which shows both the relationship between the data items and the geographic relationship with respect to the geographic region. The graphical interconnections may further be derived in a manner so as to depict a or other wise follow the perspective depicted by the 2D view, e.g. as arcs between related data items conforming to the depicted spherical contour of a globe.

Abstract: Generation/rendering of a 2D perspective/view of a geographic region, e.g. a map the world or portion thereof, superimposed over which are indicators of related data items and graphical representations of the relationships therebetween is disclosed. Based on location data associated with each data item, a relative geographic presentation within, or otherwise superimposed over, the 2D presentation is generated relative to a 3D representation of the geographic region. Graphical interconnections are then derived based on the positions of the data items relative to each other and depicted in a manner which shows both the relationship between the data items and the geographic relationship with respect to the geographic region. The graphical interconnections may further be derived in a manner so as to depict a or other wise follow the perspective depicted by the 2D view, e.g. as arcs between related data items conforming to the depicted spherical contour of a globe.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for efficiently distributing content among a plurality of users which may be used to implement a social networking service. Content items, which may include “posts” submitted by one user, e.g. responsive to a “post” submitted by another user, are stored in association with data indicative of a specified subset of an interest category classifications defined by the system. Users of the system further specify a subset of the interest category classifications to define their interests. The system then provides content items of interest to the user by mapping, as will be described, the defined interests of the user against the interests associated with the stored content items. The disclosed embodiments enable users to discover and expand their interconnections with other users which may have similar interests.