Abstract: A social networking system determines the meaning of an anchor term used in a communication received from a communicating user. Candidate nodes are identified in the dictionary based on the anchor term, where each candidate node represents a possible meaning of the anchor term. The context of the anchor term is determined, and a score is determined for each candidate node based on the determined context. A candidate node is selected that most likely represents the meaning of the anchor term based on the determined candidate node scores. The context of the anchor term may be a social context derived from users connected to the communicating user that use the anchor term in communications. A communicating user may be prompted to identify the meaning of the anchor term explicitly based on the use of the term in communications from other users connected to the communicating user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: A social networking system determines the meaning of an anchor term used in a communication received from a communicating user. Candidate nodes are identified in the dictionary based on the anchor term, where each candidate node represents a possible meaning of the anchor term. The context of the anchor term is determined, and a score is determined for each candidate node based on the determined context. A candidate node is selected that most likely represents the meaning of the anchor term based on the determined candidate node scores. The context of the anchor term may be a social context derived from users connected to the communicating user that use the anchor term in communications. A communicating user may be prompted to identify the meaning of the anchor term explicitly based on the use of the term in communications from other users connected to the communicating user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: News feed stories are ranked so that new stories appear above previously viewed stories for users of a social networking system. Top news stories are selected by the social networking system based on a ranking algorithm that incorporates an analysis of affinities for interests, users, and entities in the social networking system based on user interactions. Other new stories are provided after the top new stories in a chronological order. For each user of the social networking system, a view state is recorded that includes the order of news feed stories provided to users. Based on the view state and received user input, the social networking system may determine whether to provide new news feed stories to a viewing user.

Abstract: A social networking system determines the meaning of an anchor term used in a communication received from a communicating user. Candidate nodes are identified in the dictionary based on the anchor term, where each candidate node represents a possible meaning of the anchor term. The context of the anchor term is determined, and a score is determined for each candidate node based on the determined context. A candidate node is selected that most likely represents the meaning of the anchor term based on the determined candidate node scores. The context of the anchor term may be a social context derived from users connected to the communicating user that use the anchor term in communications. A communicating user may be prompted to identify the meaning of the anchor term explicitly based on the use of the term in communications from other users connected to the communicating user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a network in which a potential user may be notified of the presence of at least one intelligent peripheral device and, upon the potential user's request, his workstation may be configured to use the selected intelligent peripheral device. The present invention is also directed to an installation method for notifying at least one potential user of the availability of at least one intelligent peripheral device and, if requested, configuring potential users' workstations to use the requested intelligent peripheral device. In one preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of sending an announcement to at least one potential user, receiving a response to the announcement from the potential user, and configuring the potential user's workstation to use the intelligent peripheral device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a network in which a potential user may be notified of the presence of at least one intelligent peripheral device and, upon the potential user's request, his workstation may be configured to use the selected intelligent peripheral device. The present invention is also directed to an installation method for notifying at least one potential user of the availability of at least one intelligent peripheral device and, if requested, configuring potential users' workstations to use the requested intelligent peripheral device. In one preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of sending an announcement to at least one potential user, receiving a response to the announcement from the potential user, and configuring the potential user's workstation to use the intelligent peripheral device.