Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including, using one or more processors, receiving, from a first user, a digital item designated for sharing with at least one second user, at least one communication point for the second user, and data related to the second user. An authentication process is executed, by generating one or more authentication questions from the data, providing, to the communication point, access to the authentication questions, and receiving respective responses to the authentication questions. An outcome of the authentication process is determined based on a correctness of the responses. Provided the authentication process is successful, access to the digital item is provided. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method of network-based query formulation on a plurality of computers networked together, the method comprising: obtaining a request from an end user, the request requiring predetermined information for fulfillment; obtaining seed information regarding said request in a primary search from an information source associated with said end user; using said seed information to build at least one query for said predetermined information; applying said at least one query to at least one additional information source to obtain secondary information relating to said request; and amalgamating said seed and secondary information to fulfill said request.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electronic interaction between remote parties regarding a book of business over a network, the book containing elements such as insurance policies. A book exchange platform contains a first user input allow a first remote user to input said book including said plurality of elements, a user interaction interface to allow said first remote user to evaluate said book and said plurality of elements, a buyer interaction interface to allow any one of a plurality of remotely located potential buyers to evaluate said book and said plurality of elements, and a user offer input to receive an electronic signal to allow said first remote user to make an offer for sale of said book. Finally, a buy input allows potential buyers to make a selection of one or more elements of a book and to offer to buy the selected elements or entire book.

Abstract: A method of network-based query formulation on a plurality of computers networked together, the method comprising: obtaining a request from an end user, the request requiring predetermined information for fulfillment; obtaining seed information regarding said request in a primary search from an information source associated with said end user; using said seed information to build at least one query for said predetermined information; applying said at least one query to at least one additional information source to obtain secondary information relating to said request; and amalgamating said seed and secondary information to fulfill said request.

Abstract: A proxy for location on a network between one or more client applications and a server application, comprises an input unit for receiving input data from a first client application and from a server application; a modifying unit for modifying server data by insertion of client data; and a handling unit for submitting the modified content data to the client to allow the client to review and further modify the client data within the server data and submit the modified data back to the proxy for subsequent submission to the server. The proxy thus uses client data to prefill web forms, using mapping and the like, which the client can then review and modify before submission to the server, thus avoiding substantial rekeying.

Abstract: A bridging platform bridges between one or more source computer systems, each having respective source data formats and one or more target computer systems. The platform includes a print file input for receiving data input as a form at the source system as a print file comprising layout information for printing. An indexing unit indexes between data within the layout information and a unified index, and recognizes the source format of the currently received data to select the correct index. A mapping unit maps data in the data form layout between the unified index and the target data format to place the data into a form usable by the target system. There is additionally provided a method of providing data to a first computer system which was input to a second computer system via a data form. The data form is not itself compatible with the first computer system. In the method a virtual print file is obtained of the data form.

Abstract: A proxy for location on a network between one or more client applications and a server application, comprises an input unit for receiving input data from a first client application and from a server application; a modifying unit for modifying server data by insertion of client data; and a handling unit for submitting the modified content data to the client to allow the client to review and further modify the client data within the server data and submit the modified data back to the proxy for subsequent submission to the server. The proxy thus uses client data to prefill web forms, using mapping and the like, which the client can then review and modify before submission to the server, thus avoiding substantial rekeying.

Abstract: A development environment develops a data transfer interface, which converts message traffic between a first data system and a second data system. The systems have a first and a second data structure respectively. The development environment consists of two structure modelers, one for each data system, and a matcher. The first structure modeler provides a model of the first data structure. The model is developed for each message type of a predetermined group of message types. The first structure modeler input consists of at least one sample message of each of the message types. The second structure modeler develops, from second system responses to test data, a second data structure model for each of the message types. The matcher supports matching of elements of the first structure model to corresponding elements of the second structure model, thereby forming a message type mapping.

Abstract: A development environment develops a data transfer interface, which converts message traffic between a first data system and a second data system. The systems have a first and a second data structure respectively. The development environment consists of two structure modelers, one for each data system, and a matcher. The first structure modeler provides a model of the first data structure. The model is developed for each message type of a predetermined group of message types. The first structure modeler input consists of at least one sample message of each of the message types. The second structure modeler develops, from second system responses to test data, a second data structure model for each of the message types. The matcher supports matching of elements of the first structure model to corresponding elements of the second structure model, thereby forming a message type mapping.