Abstract: A media player is provided. The media player comprises a communications interface, a memory store containing a plurality of personalized advertisements, and a media playback component. The targeted advertisements are refreshed by receiving updates from the communications interface during some of the intervals when the media player is connected to a network. The targeted advertisements are indexed by a plurality of characteristics, the first characteristic being a creation date of the targeted advertisements. The media playback component is configured to play a media content, wherein the media content is stored separately from the targeted advertisements, and to play one of the targeted advertisements in the memory store selected based on the characteristics of the one of the targeted advertisements.

Abstract: A method and system for managing employment candidate data utilizes a pre-screen application to enable pre-screening of employment candidates who log on to a website and are prompted to enter additional information and schedule pre-employment tests via the website. The method and system for managing employment candidate data also uses a tracking and testing application to handle screening of candidates' paper-based applications, administration of interviews, hiring pool management, job offer support, and scheduling of training, and is integrated with an applicant tracking system. A resume tracking application of the method and system for managing employment candidate data automatically identifies and merges duplicate resume information to create a single unique resume in the tracking system.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users upon each user's request a preview of shipping rates and delivery schedules for the particular user to ship a particular package, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network. The present invention compares shipping rates and delivery schedules for each service and each carrier for shipping a particular package and reports the carrier and service offering the lowest rate or the fastest delivery schedule, according to the user's option.

Abstract: A social networking apparatus includes a first project involvement module, a second project involvement module, and a relationship determination module. The first project involvement module determines a first degree of involvement with a project for a first person. The second project involvement module determines a second degree of involvement with the project for a second person. The relationship determination module determines a social relationship between the first and second person based on the first and second degree of involvement. A combined project involvement module may also determine a combined degree of involvement that takes into account the contributions of substantially all project participants, which combined degree of involvement may be further employed when determining the social relationship. In this manner, social relationships may be determined in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: Methods, media, and components are provided for presenting advertising content in an offline setting. In one embodiment, the method includes presenting on a user interface (UI) an advertisement in an electronic form that is associated with selectable options that are also presented on the UI. The selectable options lead to a presentation of supplemental advertising information that is related to the advertisement. The method also includes receiving user input via one the selectable options, and while not communicatively coupled to a source-delivery network, presenting supplemental advertising information that is related to the advertisement.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information in a specific area from at least two persons having a defined level of knowledge in that specific area. A host, upon receiving a question for information, operates a web site platform for the exchange of information using the web site to send the question to each of the at least two persons for a response together with a suggested fee for a response to the question. Where the fee is not precisely fixed and at least one response to the question is received via the web site, a value is determined by subscribers to the website.

Abstract: An environment provided by a financial entity in which buyers and sellers may be brought together to initiate and complete a transaction for the purchase of a property for sale or rental. The environment enables sellers to list items together with relevant information that buyers may need to understand the item. Buyers may apply for financing, insurance or other related services to receive approval to purchase properties. A mechanism by which the seller and buyer may communicate enables a negotiation process, scheduling and other processes associated with the sale or rental. After an agreement is reached between the buyer and seller, components associated with the environment, such property and casualty and banking may complete the necessary paperwork, etc. to close the deal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that eliminates blind networking and allows targeted networking amongst event attendees, both for personal as well as professional reasons, while also making events ubiquitously available anytime anywhere beyond the physical limitations of time and space, such that anyone anywhere in the world can not only attend the event from the comfort of his office desk or home but also network with the other event attendees without physically attending the event is disclosed. Event hosts can be any non-profit/for-profit organization or entity hosting events of any nature in any realm. Another embodiment of the invention provides enhanced, multiple levels of profile content privacy that give complete freedom, control, and flexibility to the users to express themselves fearlessly by controlling the specific chosen contents in their profiles for input, storage, analysis, retrieval, and/or display to specific chosen authorized users or groups.

Abstract: A method for screening applicants includes remotely accessing a screening entity's web page by a potential candidate. The candidate is asked, via the pre-screening web page, to input responses to a set of queries tailored to the screening entity and the candidate's responses to the queries are stored. A phone call is automatically initiated to the candidate in response to at least one of the candidate's responses. An interactive information gathering process is started with the candidate using both the telephone and the computer. In the process, audio prompts to the candidate are generated via the telephone and the candidate's verbal responses are recorded via the telephone. A profile of the candidate is stored in a database including the verbal responses from the candidate for later access and analysis by the screening entity. The recorded responses are analyzed by the screening entity to make quality judgments about the candidate.

Abstract: The present invention can increase the odds of choosing the right people for a team by considering their “rate of interest/knowledge” in multiple topics. Given a known contacts network, represented by nodes interconnected by links, several different sub-networks are identified within it, corresponding to different topics or areas of expertise required to a specific project. For each sub-network, there will be nodes with an associated grade, based on that person's knowledge/interest for the topic related to that sub-network. As such, each node/person receives a grade for each topic. Using these grades, a weight of each link between the nodes is calculated. This process is performed for every node for each topic and associated grade. After that, a superposition of all sub-networks is made and a multiple interest network is yielded.

Abstract: A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of possible results compared to information associated with a user, enabling the user to access a result of the plurality of possible results if the score generated for the result meets a threshold condition, enabling the user to adjust the threshold condition and preventing the user from adjusting the threshold condition beyond a minimum threshold condition. The score can be a bi-directional matching score. The minimum threshold condition can include a minimum score. The minimum score can be determined based on the percentage of the plurality of possible results that would be accessible to the user.

Abstract: A notes function and a diary function for an online dating service is provided. Each subscriber to the online dating service has access to a message center for communicating messages between candidates. The messages in the message center are organized as threads. Additionally, a subscriber may create and edit a note associated with a candidate and/or an email message between the subscriber and the candidate. The note is by default accessible to the subscriber and inaccessible to the candidate. Furthermore, the message center can provide a facility for enabling a subscriber to create a diary regarding online dating service activities. The diary can include the authored notes, summaries, impressions, videos, movies, pictures, graphics, colors, messages, threaded messages, threaded list views, and the like.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a remote management device is integrated into a processing system, such as a filer or other storage server, and the remote management device and administrative data (such as console data) generated by the processing system are accessible even if the processing system becomes inoperable. The processing system includes a console port that outputs administrative data in the form of administrative data during system operation. The remote management device is accessible remotely, for example through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of networks. The remote management device intercepts the administrative data output by the console port and stores the data into memory on the remote management device.

Abstract: Embodiments herein begin by being supplied with input of at least two parties. From this, the embodiments herein automatically generate a contract between the parties, computerized self-training programs, and computerized self-testing programs based on the parties input. Embodiments herein cause employees of a service provider to perform computerized self-training programs directed toward a first phase of the requirements. The embodiments herein also use a computerized self-testing program to determine whether all of the employees of the service provider within a specific group have acquired knowledge that exceeds the first phase of the requirements.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user's contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user's existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like.

Abstract: A web-based grant management application and method is described. Registration information pertaining to a grant requestor is received at a web-based portal. A local, computer readable compliance database is maintained. The compliance database includes an exclusion list of grant requestors that have been excluded from receiving a grant. The grant management application determines an exclusion status for the grant requestor by comparing the registration information to the exclusion list. The grant requestor is informed of its exclusion status via the web-based portal. If the grant requestor's exclusion status is satisfactory, then the web-based portal receives grant information pertaining to a grant sought. Based on the grant information and the registration information, a custom set of business rules is derived to automatically manage the receipt, review, tracking, reconciliation and analysis of the grant sought.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the effectiveness of an educational institution. Means are provided for establishing a relationship between educational institution and a student wherein the student's progress is monitored from registration through and beyond graduation. Monitoring means allow the student's progress to be measured and the student's need for support and attention to be determined. Additional means permit an administrator of an educational institution to measure the effectiveness of an educational institution's program and to determine prospectively the resources needed to meet student commitments.

Abstract: A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes enabling a first user associated with an employee seeker to enter a shell for a position and enabling a second user associated with the employee seeker to enter additional information about the position. The second user is distinctly identifiable by the employment system from the first user. The method also includes associating an employment seeker with the position. Alternatively, the method includes categorizing a first set of one or more employment seekers as public and categorizing a second set of one or more employment seekers as participants in a co-operative. The method also includes enabling all employee seekers to access or view information about members of the first set and enabling all employee seekers that are members of the co-operative to access or view information about members of the second set.

Abstract: Methods and systems of verifying jobseeker information are disclosed. A request to verify jobseeker data can be received from a recruiter. An endorsement indicator that ratifies the validity of the jobseeker data can be requested from at least one endorsing partner. The request can be made to an endorsement module of the at least one endorsing partner. The endorsement indicator can be received from the endorsement module of the at least one endorsing partner.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing personal information. The method includes (a) electronically receiving personal information of a monitored individual and a unique identifier of the monitored individual; (b) electronically receiving mortality information based on a mortality database having one or more records; and (c) electronically searching the mortality database records for the unique identifier of the monitored individual to obtain a mortality search result.