Abstract: Example embodiments of compiling and maintaining information for use in transmitting content to a machine via a network are presented. In an example embodiment, a request for information regarding a user of a client device is received at the client device via a communication network from a server storing a user profile. An input including a user response to the request for information is received at the client device. The user response to the request for information is transmitted from the client device via the communication network to the server for updating the user profile. Selected content pushed by the server based on the updated user profile is received at the client device via the communication network from the server.

Abstract: Maintaining a file specifying a “donut” of dynamic, hierarchical, shared user-profile information. The donut contains a user profile or acts as a key to a data repository containing it, and it specifies user-profile information such as user characteristics, viewing preferences, hobbies, and spending habits. The donut is accessed by browser programs, associated web server programs, and other applications for use in routing content to the user associated with the donut.

Abstract: Example methods of providing media content via a network are presented. In one example, a user profile and a group profile are accessed. The user profile includes information describing a user of media content, and the group profile includes information describing a group of users of media content. Based on the information of the user profile, the user profile is assigned to the user group, in which the user profile is linked as a child profile to the group profile. Based on the information of the user profile and on the assigning of the user profile to the user group, an item of media content is determined for transmission to a user device of the user. The item of media content is transmitted via the network to the user device.

Abstract: Example methods of providing media content via a network are presented. In one example, a user profile and a group profile are accessed. The user profile includes information describing a user of media content, and the group profile includes information describing a group of users of media content. Based on the information of the user profile, the user profile is assigned to the user group, in which the user profile is linked as a child profile to the group profile. Based on the information of the user profile and on the assigning of the user profile to the user group, an item of media content is determined for transmission to a user device of the user. The item of media content is transmitted via the network to the user device.

Abstract: Maintaining a file specifying a “donut” of dynamic, hierarchical, shared user-profile information. The donut contains a user profile or acts as a key to a data repository containing it, and it specifies user-profile information such as user characteristics, viewing preferences, hobbies, and spending habits. The donut is accessed by browser programs, associated web server programs, and other applications for use in routing content to the user associated with the donut.

Abstract: Maintaining a file specifying a “donut” of dynamic, hierarchical, shared user-profile information. The donut contains a user profile or acts as a key to a data repository containing it, and it specifies user-profile information such as user characteristics, viewing preferences, hobbies, and spending habits. The donut is accessed by browser programs, associated web server programs, and other applications for use in routing content to the user associated with the donut.

Abstract: Maintaining a file specifying a “donut” of dynamic, hierarchical, shared user-profile information. The donut contains a user profile or acts as a key to a data repository containing it, and it specifies user-profile information such as user characteristics, viewing preferences, hobbies, and spending habits. The donut is accessed by browser programs, associated web server programs, and other applications for use in routing content to the user associated with the donut.

Abstract: A distributed community network for providing services to an arbitrarily large community of end users by distributing the load among many machines. The network uses hubs on the machines for routing packets. The hubs obtain routing instructions from a router and use those instructions for routing the packets. The packets include content for the machines based upon a particular network service, such as a chat service for permitting users to interact in chat rooms or a push/pull service for pushing content to the user machines either directly or based upon information received from the users.

Abstract: A distributed community network for providing services to an arbitrarily large community of end users by distributing the load among many machines. The network uses hubs on the machines for routing packets. The hubs obtain routing instructions from a router and use those instructions for routing the packets. The packets include content for the machines based upon a particular network service, such as a chat service for permitting users to interact in chat rooms or a push/pull service for pushing content to the user machines either directly or based upon information received from the users.

Abstract: A system and process for creating a Virtual Stage on a client device and presenting Enhanced Content on the Virtual Stage is provided. The Virtual Stage is preferably implemented on a Browser or similarly equipped presentation device. The Virtual Stage enables any presentation device to receive Enhanced Content from any provider regardless of the capabilities of the Browser or client device, the data format of the Enhanced Content, and/or the communications medium utilized to communicate the Enhanced Content to the Browser or client device. The Virtual Stage suitably includes an abstracted Show Object which provides a framework for presenting the Enhanced Content and an abstracted Receiver Object which provides a receiver for communicating with the Enhanced Content provider and receiving the Enhanced Content.