Abstract: A method is disclosed for sending messages such as emails where the sender and receiver in the exchange remain anonymous to each other. The method uses a service, which may for example be an Internet service provider, which acts as an intermediary between a first party and second party to a message. All exchanges between the first and second parties pass through the service, which masks all true identities while ensuring that the message is routed to the proper recipient(s).

Abstract: A delivery confirmation is provided to the sender of an e-mail message. When the e-mail message is composed, a link, such as a hyperlink, is inserted into the e-mail message, such as in the body or header. The link can include information such as a message identifier and identifiers of the sender and the recipient, which are provided as a query string of the link, while a host field of the link includes the address of an e-mail/web server. When the recipient receives the e-mail message and opens it, the link is displayed along with text that instructs the user to use the link to confirm delivery. The confirmation can include displaying indicia for the e-mail message in a folder view on an interface of the sender, or sending a confirmation e-mail message to the sender, for instance. Voting by e-mail can also be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for independently determining the geographical location of a user accessing a networked system. The method may include gathering a plurality of inputs about the user's geographic location; weighting each input based on whether said input identifies a likelihood of true geographic location; determining whether each input verifies a geographic location specified by the user; and summing weights of the input factors verifying the specified geographic location. A system for independently determining the geographical location of a user includes a user login routine, a heuristic user geographic location determination engine, and at least one data store including a user profile record having a user specified geographic location.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sending messages such as emails where the sender and receiver in the exchange remain anonymous to each other. The method uses a service, which may for example be an Internet service provider, which acts as an intermediary between a first party and second party to a message. All exchanges between the first and second parties pass through the service, which masks all true identities while ensuring that the message is routed to the proper recipient(s).

Abstract: A computer implemented computer method for assisting email users. When a user selects an action with respect to email source such as an email address, the user's intended action is inferred. The source validity is checked. Where a user provides input identifying an email as spam, the inferred action may be to add the email address associated with the message to a user block list. The address may be added only where the address or domain are identified as valid sources of email.

Abstract: Email opt-out enforcement is described. Received email messages are processed based on trust levels associated with senders of the email messages, such that email from more trusted senders is not scrutinized as much as email from less trusted senders. When a user requests to opt-out or unsubscribe from a sender's mailings, a record of the user's opt-out request is maintained. If the sender continues to send email to the user subsequent to the opt-out request, the trust level associated with the sender is adjusted to reflect a lesser degree of trust in the sender.