Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more dialog network members to whom a notification of the question is provided. Authenticated responses by a member are published to the asker and other members. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous. If authorized, members of a dialog may add other individuals as members of the dialog, and imbue upon them special rights relative to the dialog.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more dialog network members to whom a notification of the question is provided. Authenticated responses by a member are published to the asker and other members. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous. If authorized, members of a dialog may add other individuals as members of the dialog, and imbue upon them special rights relative to the dialog.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more dialog network members to whom a notification of the question is provided. Authenticated responses by a member are published to the asker and other members. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous. If authorized, members of a dialog may add other individuals as members of the dialog, and imbue upon them special rights relative to the dialog.

Abstract: An electronic communication service, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which content contributions include post-level qualifiers to demonstrate, e.g., level of expertise in the subject matter of each contribution. User views of dialog content may be based on post-level qualifier content and/or the content contributor's association with the viewer or dialog initiator. The service can implement hierarchical association groups to enable overlapping dialog with shared and unique content.

Abstract: A network-connected communication system is provided, via which individuals may engage in dialog with one or more dialog members. Differing views of the dialog may be presented to different individuals, based on the viewer's association with the dialog and/or variable privacy settings associated with the dialog. Dialogs may be initiated as private conversations, with members electing to make available views of the conversation to individuals other than the dialog members. Tools, such as redaction tools, may be provided for dialog participants to control availability of dialog content outside of dialog members. A dialog display user interface may be provided to dialog members, which includes a toggle permitting members to toggle between public and private dialog views, thereby highlighting differences in how a dialog is rendered to different audiences. Association-based and variable privacy may also be implemented in connection with online forums and restricted access communities.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more recipients of the question. Authenticated responses by a recipient are published to the asker and other recipients. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more recipients of the question. Authenticated responses by a recipient are published to the asker and other recipients. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous.

Abstract: An electronic communication system, such as a question-and-answer service, is provided in which a user submitting a question specifies one or more recipients of the question. Authenticated responses by a recipient are published to the asker and other recipients. Responses may be made available to external users, with content contributors being either publicly identified or anonymous.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rules evaluation system for a user's computer comprising a rules-based agent having a plurality of rule clauses for evaluating data; a plurality of triggers having functionality to notify the rules-based agent to begin evaluating; a plurality of data providers to provide data for evaluation; and a plurality of actions for providing information to a user based upon the evaluated data.