Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method of distributing digital content to authenticated users, such as on-line subscribers, wherein all interested parties, such as, but not limited to, publishers, editors, content providers, affiliates, payment processors, and service providers, are credited automatically for their contributions in such as manner as to be perceived as being fair, transparent, and resistant to abuse. The system and method may include a digital rights management system, but this is not required. The system supports a unique method of accounting that provides appropriate incentives to editors and affiliates, as well as publishers, with facilities for specifying a set of flexible parameters that enable automated payment, accounting, reporting, and administrative functions needed to support secure, subscription-based on-line publications.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a high performance database queuing method and apparatus which supports reliable service-oriented architecture. The servers and clients add tasks to the queues, which are database table with records that point to other records in other tables. The application servers pick up tasks in priority (first-in-first-out) order to perform tasks, flag tasks as done, and delete records periodically. The queuing makes use of database strengths such as indexing, synchronization, transaction process, reliability and recovery.