Abstract: A method and system for playing a game are provided. In one embodiment, a party selects one or more songs. A set of songs is then randomly selected from those songs that were actually played, e.g., by a radio station, during a time period. These randomly-selected songs are the contesting-winning songs. If the song(s) that the party selected matches any of the songs in the randomly-selected set, the party is awarded a prize. Accordingly, the party wins a prize if (1) the radio station plays one of the songs the party selected and (2) that song is one of the randomly-selected songs. The award can be tiered such that the size of the prize increases as the number of songs the party guesses correctly increases.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and measuring emotional indicia in an interactive, real-time communication application. Emotional indicia are preferably emoticons, however, other indicia including words and text can be employed. The real-time interactive communications application is preferably an instant messaging application or a chat room environment. User-conveyed ratings or emotional sentiments are automatically detected and measured to provide an overall rating. Alternatively, an on-going rating can be displayed for a topic currently being discussed or reviewed.