Abstract: Methods, computer systems, computer-storage media, and graphical user interfaces are provided for providing an interactive search exploration tool. In embodiments, an interactive search exploration tool is presented via a graphical user interface. The tool may include a primary topic, indicating the search query, that is positioned at a center of the interactive search exploration tool. The tool may also include distance indicators indicating extents of relatedness to the primary topic. The distance indicators can be represented as concentric shapes positioned around the primary topic at varying distances. The tool can also include a related topic(s) positioned around the primary topic. The related topic is positioned in proximity to a distance indicator that corresponds with an extent of relatedness of the related topic to the primary topic. Thereafter, in response to a selection of the related topic, a topic content snippet that provides a representation of the related topic is presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced content capture on a computing device are presented. In operation, a user interaction is detected on a computing device with the intent to capture content to a content store associated with the computer user operating the computing device. A content capture service is executed to capture content to the content store, comprising the following: applications executing on the computing device are notified to suspend output to display views corresponding to the applications; content to be captured to the content store is identified and obtained; the applications executing on the computing device are notified to resume output to display views; and automatically storing the obtained content in a content store associated with the computer user.

Abstract: A rich media notice board enables users to communicate with others in their own and related communities who use the rich media notice board or other rich media notice boards, such as those in related communities, as well as with others who use conventional interfaces via the Internet. The users of the rich media notice board can post notices including text, images, audio, and video to the rich media notice board. The notices may also include usage metaphors that may allow users to relate to the notices. A user interface of the rich media notice board may employ the usage metaphors to provide an interface that may be used by users who may not read or write with sufficient proficiency to otherwise use a computer. The users may access the rich media notice boards from computers, mobile phones, and kiosk systems.

Abstract: A rich media notice board enables users to communicate with others in their own and related communities who use the rich media notice board or other rich media notice boards, such as those in related communities, as well as with others who use conventional interfaces via the Internet. The users of the rich media notice board can post notices including text, images, audio, and video to the rich media notice board. The notices may also include usage metaphors that may allow users to relate to the notices. A user interface of the rich media notice board may employ the usage metaphors to provide an interface that may be used by users who may not read or write with sufficient proficiency to otherwise use a computer. The users may access the rich media notice boards from computers, mobile phones, and kiosk systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced content capture on a computing device are presented. In operation, a user interaction is detected on a computing device with the intent to capture content to a content store associated with the computer user operating the computing device. A content capture service is executed to capture content to the content store, comprising the following: applications executing on the computing device are notified to suspend output to display views corresponding to the applications; content to be captured to the content store is identified and obtained; the applications executing on the computing device are notified to resume output to display views; and automatically storing the obtained content in a content store associated with the computer user.

Abstract: Embodiments provide navigable and other information to users. In an embodiment, a handheld computing device can be configured to provide a navigable map that includes a number of map list items corresponding to aspects of an underlying data structure. In one embodiment, a process includes displaying a number of linked list items of a navigable list map in a first display portion and displaying a preview of pertinent information associated with an item in a second display portion. Other embodiments are available.

Abstract: Embodiments provide navigable and other information to users. In an embodiment, a handheld computing device can be configured to provide a navigable map that includes a number of map list items corresponding to aspects of an underlying data structure. In one embodiment, a process includes displaying a number of linked list items of a navigable list map in a first display portion and displaying a preview of pertinent information associated with an item in a second display portion. Other embodiments are available.

Abstract: A rich media notice board enables users to communicate with others in their own and related communities who use the rich media notice board or other rich media notice boards, such as those in related communities, as well as with others who use conventional interfaces via the Internet. The users of the rich media notice board can post notices including text, images, audio, and video to the rich media notice board. The notices may also include usage metaphors that may allow users to relate to the notices. A user interface of the rich media notice board may employ the usage metaphors to provide an interface that may be used by users who may not read or write with sufficient proficiency to otherwise use a computer. The users may access the rich media notice boards from computers, mobile phones, and kiosk systems.

Abstract: A contact sharing system is described herein that allows multiple people to share their address books of contact information so that a person can search for contact information among the address books of the person's existing contacts in addition to any publicly available searchable sources of contact information. Because at least one of a person's contacts is likely to have contact information for the person or business that the person is trying to reach, searching the contacts of contacts is more likely to produce relevant search results than searching anonymous or public sources of contact information alone. Thus, the contact sharing system makes it easier for people to find contact information for people and businesses that they are trying to reach.