Abstract: A first user, who is currently online, is associated with a meeting spot. A plurality of other users that have selected the meeting spot and are online is identified. Information about these other users is sent to a client device associated with the first user. Information for a second user of the plurality of other users is received from the client device associated with the first user. A third user is identified who is online and associated with the first and second users. Online communication is facilitated between the client devices associated with the first and second users and a client device associated with the third user responsive to a request from the client device associated with the first user to the client device associated with the third user to be introduced by the third user to the second user, while the second user has still selected the meeting spot.

Abstract: A first user, who is currently online, is associated with a meeting spot. A plurality of other users that have selected the meeting spot and are online is identified. Information about these other users is sent to a client device associated with the first user. Information for a second user of the plurality of other users is received from the client device associated with the first user. A third user is identified who is online and associated with the first and second users. Online communication is facilitated between the client devices associated with the first and second users and a client device associated with the third user responsive to a request from the client device associated with the first user to the client device associated with the third user to be introduced by the third user to the second user, while the second user has still selected the meeting spot.

Abstract: A first user, who is currently online, is associated with a meeting spot. A plurality of other users that have selected the meeting spot and are online is identified. Information about these other users is sent to a client device associated with the first user. Information for a second user of the plurality of other users is received from the client device associated with the first user. A third user is identified who is online and associated with the first and second users. Online communication is facilitated between the client devices associated with the first and second users and a client device associated with the third user responsive to a request from the client device associated with the first user to the client device associated with the third user to be introduced by the third user to the second user, while the second user has still selected the meeting spot.

Abstract: A first user, who is currently online, is associated with a meeting spot. A plurality of other users that have selected the meeting spot and are online is identified. Information about these other users is sent to a client device associated with the first user. Information for a second user of the plurality of other users is received from the client device associated with the first user. A third user is identified who is online and associated with the first and second users. Online communication is facilitated between the client devices associated with the first and second users and a client device associated with the third user responsive to a request from the client device associated with the first user to the client device associated with the third user to be introduced by the third user to the second user, while the second user has still selected the meeting spot.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a client device associated with a first user: receives from a server computer information about a plurality of other users associated with a meeting spot; displays an identifier for the meeting spot and at least some of the information for the plurality of other users; receives from the first user a selection of information that corresponds to a second user associated with the meeting spot; displays information about a third user, wherein the third user is associated with the first user and is also associated with the second user; receives from the first user a request to communicate with the third user; sends a communication to a client device associated with the third user; and participates in an online communication with the client device associated with the third user and a client device associated with the second user.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for receiving and displaying voting data with respect to online hosted videos. Viewers vote on portions within various videos stored in an online video hosting website. Voting data can represent different types of votes, such as unipolar, bipolar, or categorical. The prior voting data, including that submitted by other viewers, can be displayed in a number of ways, such as gradations of color, or charts such as bar graphs. The voting data may be associated with demographic categories, such as a voter's age, sex, or political affiliation. Further, a video may be selectively played to display portions of most interest to given demographic categories, as indicated by voting patterns of those categories.

Abstract: A system and method for self-regulating social news feeds includes a user interface module, data storage, a loudness controller, a quality engine, and an output or news feed module. The user interface module is adapted to receive input from the user including a loudness value associated with a particular message. The loudness value is associated with an originally generated message or a response (reply) to an existing message. The messages and their associated loudness values are provided to the loudness controller. The loudness controller sorts the messages in order of loudness. The loudness values are also modified based upon input from the quality engine. The quality engine modifies the loudness values based upon a quality rating associated with the user. The output of the loudness controller is provided for presentation to the user via the output or news feed module.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for establishing interaction between users simultaneously viewing a virtual representation of a physical object on computers connected to a network. A view of a portion of the physical object is displayed to a user. The view is based on a set of coordinates that identifies a current position of the user. One or more figurines representing other users are displayed within the view. The other users are simultaneously looking at a similar portion of the physical object. Each figurine is shown at a coordinate position corresponding to a current position of a respective other user. A request user to interact with one or more of the other users is received from the user. The request is transmitted to the other users. Based on responses received to the request, interactions between the requesting user and the other users are established.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a client device associated with a first user: receives from a server computer information about a plurality of other users associated with a meeting spot; displays an identifier for the meeting spot and at least some of the information for the plurality of other users; receives from the first user a selection of information that corresponds to a second user associated with the meeting spot; displays information about a third user, wherein the third user is associated with the first user and is also associated with the second user; receives from the first user a request to communicate with the third user; sends a communication to a client device associated with the third user; and participates in an online communication with the client device associated with the third user and a client device associated with the second user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for initiating communication between two users among several users while at least one of the two users is browsing a web page. User information is collected about each user among the several users. Page information is collected about what web page each user among the several users is browsing. A portion of the user information and page information for a first user and a second user is shared between the first user and the second user when a predetermined criterion is met, and request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user is processed.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a client device associated with a first user: receives from a server computer information about a plurality of other users associated with a meeting spot; displays an identifier for the meeting spot and at least some of the information for the plurality of other users; receives from the first user a selection of information that corresponds to a second user associated with the meeting spot; displays information about a third user, wherein the third user is associated with the first user and is also associated with the second user; receives from the first user a request to communicate with the third user; sends a communication to a client device associated with the third user; and participates in an online communication with the client device associated with the third user and a client device associated with the second user.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for receiving and displaying voting data with respect to online hosted videos. Viewers vote on portions within various videos stored in an online video hosting website. Voting data can represent different types of votes, such as unipolar, bipolar, or categorical. The prior voting data, including that submitted by other viewers, can be displayed in a number of ways, such as gradations of color, or charts such as bar graphs. The voting data may be associated with demographic categories, such as a voter's age, sex, or political affiliation. Further, a video may be selectively played to display portions of most interest to given demographic categories, as indicated by voting patterns of those categories.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for managing bookmarks associated with web pages. A button is displayed on a graphical user interface associated with a browser displaying a web page on the computer display. A user input selecting the button is received. Each time the button is selected, an editing window is displayed, which includes several bookmark editing operations for the displayed web page. The bookmark editing operations can be completed by a user in the editing window.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques completing a user entry in an entry field displayed on a user interface of a computing device. An entry field is displayed on a display of a computing device. In response to a user entering at least one character into the entry field, two or more distinct auto-complete menus are displayed. Each auto-complete menu is included in a separate display element, and each auto-complete menu contains suggestions that correspond to the current at least one character in the entry field. A computer-implemented method for pre-fetching search query results is also described.

Abstract: A method, system, and graphical user interface for meeting-spot maps for online communications are disclosed. A “meeting spot” is a specific physical location where two or more people can arrange to meet face to face. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a server computer sends information corresponding to a map to a client device and sends information corresponding to a plurality of icons for meeting spots to be overlaid on the map. In some embodiments, selection of an icon in the plurality of icons by a user at the client device initiates the display of information about other users that have also selected the icon. In some embodiments, selection of an icon in the plurality of icons by a user at the client device initiates online communications with one or more other users that have also selected the icon.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for receiving and displaying voting data with respect to online hosted videos. Viewers vote on portions within various videos stored in an online video hosting website. Voting data can represent different types of votes, such as unipolar, bipolar, or categorical. The prior voting data, including that submitted by other viewers, can be displayed in a number of ways, such as gradations of color, or charts such as bar graphs. The voting data may be associated with demographic categories, such as a voter's age, sex, or political affiliation. Further, a video may be selectively played to display portions of most interest to given demographic categories, as indicated by voting patterns of those categories.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for initiating communication between two users among several users while at least one of the two users is browsing a web page. User information is collected about each user among the several users. Page information is collected about what web page each user among the several users is browsing. A portion of the user information and page information for a first user and a second user is shared between the first user and the second user when a predetermined criterion is met, and request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user is processed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for initiating communication between two users among several users while at least one of the two users is browsing a web page. User information is collected about each user among the several users. Page information is collected about what web page each user among the several users is browsing. A portion of the user information and page information for a first user and a second user is shared between the first user and the second user when a predetermined criterion is met, and request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user is processed.

Abstract: A method, system, and graphical user interface for meeting-spot-related online communications are disclosed. A “meeting spot” is a specific physical location where two or more people can arrange to meet face to face. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a server computer receives meeting spot data that correspond to a plurality of meeting spots selected by a computer user at a client device and sends information concerning other computer users that have also selected two or more of the meeting spots selected by the computer user to the client device for display.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a server computer sends to a plurality of client devices associated with computer users in an online discussion information corresponding to: a map, an icon for a meeting spot to be overlaid on the map, a plurality of icons representing at least some of the computer users in the online discussion, to be displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon to initiate online communications between a respective client device and a computer associated with the meeting spot. The server receives a request to initiate online communications between the computer associated with the meeting spot and at least one client device in the online discussion; and initiates online communications between the computer associated with the meeting spot and the at least one client device in the online discussion.