Abstract: To address problems related to interface differences and disunity among on-line services, such as newsgroups message boards and forums, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software for automating the posting and retrieval of content across different on-line services as well as encouraging growth of active on-line communities. One exemplary system includes a posting module, a retrieval module, and a web server. The posting module allows users to create and initiate data postings that are sent automatically to several newsgroups, message boards, and/or other on-line information sources. The retrieval module automatically retrieves replies to the postings at each of the on-line sources and presents them through the webserver for user review and further reply, eliminating the need for users to repeatedly visit posting sites in search of reply messages.

Abstract: To address problems related to interface differences and disunity among on-line services, such as newsgroups message boards and forums, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software for automating the posting and retrieval of content across different on-line services as well as encouraging growth of active on-line communities. One exemplary system includes a posting module, a retrieval module, and a web server. The posting module allows users to create and initiate data postings that are sent automatically to several newsgroups, message boards, and/or other on-line information sources. The retrieval module automatically retrieves replies to the postings at each of the on-line sources and presents them through the webserver for user review and further reply, eliminating the need for users to repeatedly visit posting sites in search of reply messages.

Abstract: In recent years, computers have become everyday communication tools, fast approaching the commonness of telephones and televisions. Driving this approach is the ever-expanding Internet, which enables users not only to communicate with each other, but also to search for information of particular interest. Two problems for Internet users are the time and effort necessary to find information they want and to connect with other users who share interest in similar information. Accordingly, the present inventor devised systems, methods, and related software that spurs growth of databases and/or fosters connections between users of those databases. One exemplary method entails receiving user contributions to a theme-oriented database, such as a health-information website and granting users access rights to the database based on quantity, quality, and/or relevance of their contributions.

Abstract: To address problems related to interface differences and disunity among on-line services, such as newsgroups message boards and forums, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software for automating the posting and retrieval of content across different on-line services as well as encouraging growth of active on-line communities. One exemplary system includes a posting module, a retrieval module, and a web server. The posting module allows users to create and initiate data postings that are sent automatically to several newsgroups, message boards, and/or other on-line information sources. The retrieval module automatically retrieves replies to the postings at each of the on-line sources and presents them through the webserver for user review and further reply, eliminating the need for users to repeatedly visit posting sites in search of reply messages.

Abstract: In recent years, computers have become everyday communication tools, fast approaching the commonness of telephones and televisions. Driving this approach is the ever-expanding Internet, which enables users not only to communicate with each other, but also to search for information of particular interest. Two problems for Internet users are the time and effort necessary to find information they want and to connect with other users who share interest in similar information. Accordingly, the present inventor devised systems, methods, and related software that spurs growth of databases and/or fosters connections between users of those databases. One exemplary method entails receiving user contributions to a theme-oriented database, such as a health-information website and granting users access rights to the database based on quantity, quality, and/or relevance of their contributions.

Abstract: A bone fastener is adapted to deliver biologically active substances to a bone site. An applicator is saturated with the substance and is disposed within an inner cavity of the fastener, near the bone site. Channels through the body of the fastener permit the substance to flow to the bone site. The substance can include therapeutic drugs, such as antibiotics, analgesics, bone morphogenic proteins, DNA, chemotherapy drugs and angiogenesis factors.