Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for gathering social media content are provided. Some embodiments provide a Social Intelligence System (“SIS”) configured to provide dynamic search capability of a content source by using a proxy server system as an intermediary between the SIS and the content source. The SIS may then dynamically determine a rate at which it searches for content based on a rate of change or predicted change of a particular content source. Dynamically determining a rate allows the SIS to track a particular topic or series of topics over time, while only searching for content on the topic at the most optimal time periods to reduce overall cost.

Abstract: A method implementable in at least one electronic device coupled to a network and a display device, includes receiving, over the network, a data set, receiving, from a user, a selection of a first topic, determining, based on the data set, a plurality of network sites hosting commentary of the first topic and an authority level of each site of the plurality, determining, based on the data set, an authority level of each site of the plurality, determining, based on the data set, a plurality of authors providing the commentary hosted by the plurality of network sites, determining, based on the data set, an authority level of each author of the plurality, determining, based on the data set, a value characterizing an opinion of each author on the first topic.

Abstract: A technique for tracking web browsing activity of a client device that includes storing, in a memory, a client profile having a client identifier associated therewith, providing a client device with a cache file having the client identifier embedded therein, receiving from the client device an identification of a client action and the client identifier, and updating the client profile to include the identification of the client action.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides digital data processing methods and systems for collecting and transferring information, comprising one or more server digital data processors (“servers”) that exchange information requests and, optionally, responses between a first set of client digital data processors and a second set of client digital data processors. The first set of those client devices accept input from persons seeking information, e.g., reporters, bloggers, detectives, etc., (collectively, “reporters”) and, from that input, generate and transmit queries to the server(s). The server digital data processor, in turn, transmits those queries to the second set of client digital data processors, which display or otherwise convey the queries to persons that may have relevant information, e.g., industry professionals, public relations representatives, etc. (collectively, “sources”). Those second client devices route responses received from respective sources directly and/or indirectly (e.g.