Abstract: A method is provided for the sharing of information in which a request for information is transmitted along with an indication of a reason for which the information is sought and, in response to the request, a subset of the information available is provided on the basis of a characteristic of the event.

Abstract: A method for informing a caller of the availability of a call-center agent who can assist the caller without some of the disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, when a caller accesses the address book in the memory of his or her telecommunications terminal (such as a telephone) the caller will see both the contact information for the call center and the availability of a call-center agent.

Abstract: A method is provided for the sharing of information in which a request for information is transmitted along with an indication of a reason for which the information is sought and, in response to the request, a subset of the information available is provided on the basis of a characteristic of the event.

Abstract: A method for informing a caller of the availability of a call-center agent who can assist the caller without some of the disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, when a caller accesses the address book in the memory of his or her telecommunications terminal (such as a telephone) the caller will see both the contact information for the call center and the availability of a call-center agent.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a user selects the characteristics of an agent with which the user wants to talk. The user is allowed to add a selection of agent characteristics to an online “shopping cart” and transmit the content of the shopping cart to the contact center. The contact center uses the transmitted information to find an appropriate agent for the user. The method can be provided as part of a preferential treatment of users. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, preferential treatment is provided on the basis of one of: (1) a characteristic of a user, (2) a characteristic of a transaction in which the user participated, (3) the availability of a selection of agent characteristics which was made by the user in a prior session with the contact center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of communication between customers of a retail Web site. In particular, the illustrative embodiment provides a computer implemented method comprises authenticating a first customer and a second customer to enable the first and second customers to access a retail Web site via the Internet, displaying a representation of the first customer viewing a Web page of the retail Web site and a representation of the second customer viewing the Web page of the retail Web site, and enabling audio communication between the first customer and the second customer.