Abstract: A method and system for providing on online file- service that automatically stores and organizes digital files. The method and system include providing the server with a set of trigger handlers that are each configured to perform a particular action on a digital file. The user may log into the server and specify attribute criteria for each of the trigger handlers. Digital files uploaded by the user are received by the server, wherein each file has a plurality of attributes associated therewith. The attributes of each file are then compared with the attribute criteria entered by the user for each of the trigger handlers. And upon a match, the corresponding trigger handler is invoked, such that actions are automatically performed on the digital files.

Abstract: A system and method for recording a photo chat session are provided. In one embodiment, an online photo album is hosted by a peer node in a peer-to-peer (P2P) photosharing system, and a photo chat session is established between an owner at the peer node and a guest viewing the online photo album at a guest node. At the end of the photo chat session, either the owner or the guest requests that the photo chat session be saved. In response, the peer node generates a chat history including a slideshow for each shared image recreating a portion of the photo chat session related to the shared image. In another embodiment, an online photo album is hosted by a central node in a centrally hosted photosharing system, wherein the central node generates the chat history in response to a request from either the owner or the guest.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for verifying account transactions. A transaction request is received that seeks to pre-approve a transaction for an account number. A verification character string is also received that is currently associated with the account number. If the transaction is pre-approved, then a new verification character string is assigned to the account number, such that the verification character string is changed with each transaction request.

Abstract: Methods of tracking remote software installations at a central server may include receiving an installation message over a network from a user device wherein the installation message indicates, an installation of the software at the user device. After receiving the installation message from the user device, an installation code may be created responsive to receiving the installation message, and the installation code may uniquely identify installation of the software at the user device. The installation code may be transmitted over the network to the user device, and the installation code may be stored at the central server. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods of tracking remote software installations at a central server may include receiving an installation message over a network from a user device wherein the installation message indicates an installation of the software at the user device. After receiving the installation message from the user device, an installation code may be created responsive to receiving the installation message, and the installation code may uniquely identify installation of the software at the user device. The installation code may be transmitted over the network to the user device, and the installation code may be stored at the central server. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of content items, such as video or other files, can provide for adjustable pricing for access to a content item based on the popularity of the content item. The price for access can be calculated by adjusting a base access price that is determined based on how many times the content item has been accessed. The adjustment can utilize rating and review data received from users who have previously accessed the content item. In some embodiments, rating and review data is withheld from disclosure during a hold-back period whereby the quality of a user's rating can be evaluated by comparing it to other ratings received during the hold-back period. Other incentives can be provided to drive viewing and reviewing content items by providing discounts for users that provide positively-rated reviews.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow multiple crops to be defined for a single digital image without altering the digital image. Rather than actually cropping the digital image where a portion of the digital image is lost, the present invention generates and stores cropping information defining a desired area of the digital image for each of the crops. The cropping information is stored in metadata associated with the digital image or in an associated application file.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tagging files. Metadata is associated to files, and subjective metadata is assigned to the metadata. Any metadata common to multiple files may have different subjective metadata. Tags, for example, may be associated to the files, and a subjective level of importance may be assigned to each tag. Any tag that is commonly assigned to different files may thus have different levels of importance.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cropping images for scrapbook pages. In general, a desired area of a digital image is identified in a software environment. The desired area has a shape corresponding to a select cropping tool for physically cropping the digital image. Cropping information defining the desired area is generated and stored in association with the digital image. Using the cropping information, a crop-assisted version of the digital image identifying the desired area of the digital image and the select cropping tool is generated and printed. As such, the crop-assisted version of the digital image may be easily cropped using the select cropping tool when physically creating a scrapbook page.

Abstract: Providing software over a network may include receiving a redirected access over the network from a user device at a central server, and receiving an identification of a network device and/or electronic advertisement from which the user device was redirected. A download file including the software and an acquisition code may be provided wherein the acquisition code corresponds to the identification of the network device and/or electronic advertisement from which the user device was redirected. In addition, the download file including the software and the acquisition code may be transmitted over the network to the user device. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing on online file- service that automatically stores and organizes digital files. The method and system include providing the server with a set of trigger handlers that are each configured to perform a particular action on a digital file. The user may log into the server and specify attribute criteria for each of the trigger handlers. Digital files uploaded by the user are received by the server, wherein each file has a plurality of attributes associated therewith. The attributes of each file are then compared with the attribute criteria entered by the user for each of the trigger handlers. And upon a match, the corresponding trigger handler is invoked, such that actions are automatically performed on the digital files.

Abstract: An automated metadata discovery, assignment, and submission system is disclosed. The system includes a photosharing service coupled to a network through a server, where the server stores metadata fields. The system also includes at least one client computer capable of communicating with the server over the network, where the client computer stores a plurality digital files and an automation application. When executed, the automation application establishes communication with the photosharing service and downloads the metadata fields. The content of a first file is then automatically analyzed and one or metadata values are assigned to the downloaded metadata fields based on the analysis. In addition, the automation application automatically discovers any pre-existing metadata values associated with the file and uses the metadata values to populate corresponding downloaded metadata fields. Both the pre-existing and automatically assigned metadata values are then displayed to the user for viewing and editing.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating names for files uploaded from a computer to a server is disclosed. Aspects of the present invention include allowing a user to define a file-naming template using information available from a variety of sources including, the uploaded files, an application environment of the server, and an operating environment of the computer. Names are then automatically generated for each file when files are uploaded based on the template pattern.

Abstract: An automated metadata discovery, assignment, and submission system is disclosed. The system includes a photosharing service coupled to a network through a server, where the server stores metadata fields. The system also includes at least one client computer capable of communicating with the server over the network, where the client computer stores a plurality digital files and an automation application. When executed, the automation application establishes communication with the photosharing service and downloads the metadata fields. The content of a first file is then automatically analyzed and one or metadata values are assigned to the downloaded metadata fields based on the analysis. In addition, the automation application automatically discovers any pre-existing metadata values associated with the file and uses the metadata values to populate corresponding downloaded metadata fields. Both the pre-existing and automatically assigned metadata values are then displayed to the user for viewing and editing.

Abstract: An automated metadata discovery, assignment, and submission system is disclosed. The system includes a photosharing service coupled to a network through a server, where the server stores metadata fields. The system also includes at least one client computer capable of communicating with the server over the network, where the client computer stores a plurality digital files and an automation application. When executed, the automation application establishes communication with the photosharing service and downloads the metadata fields. The content of a first file is then automatically analyzed and one or metadata values are assigned to the downloaded metadata fields based on the analysis. In addition, the automation application automatically discovers any pre-existing metadata values associated with the file and uses the metadata values to populate corresponding downloaded metadata fields. Both the pre-existing and automatically assigned metadata values are then displayed to the user for viewing and editing.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating names for files uploaded from a computer to a server is disclosed. Aspects of the present invention include allowing a user to define a file-naming template using information available from a variety of sources including, the uploaded files, an application environment of the server, and an operating environment of the computer. Names are then automatically generated for each file when files are uploaded based on the template pattern.

Abstract: A method for automatically organizing images uploaded from a computer to a server is disclosed. Aspects of the invention include receiving an upload of image files from the computer on the server, where the upload includes a folder hierarchy defining how the image files are stored on the computer. The images files are then automatically stored and organized on the server, such that the folder hierarchy of the image files is preserved.

Abstract: A method for executing searches for resources that span more than one private resource repository in a restricted-access resource sharing system is disclosed. The system includes at least one server node and multiple peer nodes connected to a network. Resources, such as data digital images, may be retrieved from the nodes based by issuing queries containing terms matching the metadata associated with the resources. The method includes maintaining storage of resources and associated metadata on respective peer nodes, wherein the associated metadata is based on at least one metadata vocabulary. Each of the peer nodes is allowed to indicate to the server that the metadata vocabularies associated with the resources are designated as private, thereby becoming a restricted access peer node.

Abstract: An automated metadata discovery, assignment, and submission system is disclosed. The system includes a photosharing service coupled to a network through a server, where the server stores metadata fields. The system also includes at least one client computer capable of communicating with the server over the network, where the client computer stores a plurality digital files and an automation application. When executed, the automation application establishes communication with the photosharing service and downloads the metadata fields. The content of a first file is then automatically analyzed and one or metadata values are assigned to the downloaded metadata fields based on the analysis. In addition, the automation application automatically discovers any pre-existing metadata values associated with the file and uses the metadata values to populate corresponding downloaded metadata fields. Both the pre-existing and automatically assigned metadata values are then displayed to the user for viewing and editing.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of content items, such as video or other files, can provide for adjustable pricing for access to a content item based on the popularity of the content item. The price for access can be calculated by adjusting a base access price that is determined based on how many times the content item has been accessed. The adjustment can utilize rating and review data received from users who have previously accessed the content item. In some embodiments, rating and review data is withheld from disclosure during a hold-back period whereby the quality of a user's rating can be evaluated by comparing it to other ratings received during the hold-back period. Other incentives can be provided to drive viewing and reviewing content items by providing discounts for users that provide positively-rated reviews.