Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site incorporating a combination of one or more of the following: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. The networking system may categorize each user of the web site into classes, including a featured class, a common class, a sponsored class, and a sponsoring class. The networking system may facilitate user interactions, some of which may be partially dependent on user classes. A featured user may opt to temporarily appear as a common user, thus activating an alternative user profile and hiding his featured status. A sponsored user may participate in interactions on the web site if a sponsoring user offers his credits to pay for the sponsored member's participation. Other aspects of the networking system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.

Abstract: Order fulfillment systems and methods, which may enable a recipient to retrieve an ordered product from a plurality of providers, and may additionally deliver a virtual representation of the ordered product to the recipient. The order fulfillment method may be a paperless process comprising electronically receiving an order from a customer for a product to be retrieved by the recipient. A virtual representation of the ordered product may then be delivered and displayed to the recipient. A status module may be provided to indicate to providers whether the order has yet been fulfilled. The method may further comprise receiving an update to the status module when the recipient selects a provider and retrieves the ordered product from the selected provider.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary method can include transmitting a request to deliver requested content over a network. The method can further include transmitting a first confirmation responsive to receiving a test packet. Additionally, the method can include receiving, a first data set that is at least a first portion of the requested content and which includes a second request for confirmation, and transmitting a second confirmation. Finally, the method can include receiving a second data set, the second data set that is at least a second portion of the requested content and that is different from the first portion of the requested content.

Abstract: Order fulfillment systems and methods, which may enable a recipient to retrieve an ordered product from a plurality of providers, and may additionally deliver a virtual representation of the ordered product to the recipient. The order fulfillment method may be a paperless process comprising electronically receiving an order from a customer for a product to be retrieved by the recipient. A virtual representation of the ordered product may then be delivered and displayed to the recipient. A status module may be provided to indicate to providers whether the order has yet been fulfilled. The method may further comprise receiving an update to the status module when the recipient selects a provider and retrieves the ordered product from the selected provider.

Abstract: A method for connecting a communication session may include storing first user communication acceptance criteria that is associated with a first user. A method may further include receiving a request from a second user to initiate a communication session with the first user and determining whether the first user permits such communication sessions with the second user based on the first user communication acceptance criteria. A method may include initiating the communication session between the first user and the second user upon determining that the first user permits the communication session to be initiated based on the first user communication acceptance criteria.

Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary method can include transmitting a request to deliver requested content over a network. The method can further include transmitting a first confirmation responsive to receiving a test packet. Additionally, the method can include receiving, a first data set that is at least a first portion of the requested content and which includes a second request for confirmation, and transmitting a second confirmation. Finally, the method can include receiving a second data set, the second data set that is at least a second portion of the requested content and that is different from the first portion of the requested content.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.

Abstract: Networking systems and methods for efficiently facilitating interactions between subscribers using customized action cards are disclosed. A networking system can comprise a communication unit, a customization unit, and an action unit. The communication unit can transmit data embodying communications between a server and a plurality of client computers operated by subscribers of the networking system. The customization unit can enable a current user to categorize other subscribers and to select action indicators associated with an action card template for each subscriber category. The selected action indicators can vary across subscriber categories, resulting in a different action card template for each category. Action cards of other subscribers are displayed to the current user based on their applicable action card templates.

Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site incorporating a combination of one or more of the following: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. The networking system may categorize each user of the web site into classes, including a featured class, a common class, a sponsored class, and a sponsoring class. The networking system may facilitate user interactions, some of which may be partially dependent on user classes. A featured user may opt to temporarily appear as a common user, thus activating an alternative user profile and hiding his featured status. A sponsored user may participate in interactions on the web site if a sponsoring user offers his credits to pay for the sponsored member's participation. Other aspects of the networking system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site incorporating a combination of one or more of the following: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. The networking system may categorize each user of the web site into classes, including a featured class, a common class, a sponsored class, and a sponsoring class. The networking system may facilitate user interactions, some of which may be partially dependent on user classes. A featured user may opt to temporarily appear as a common user, thus activating an alternative user profile and hiding his featured status. A sponsored user may participate in interactions on the web site if a sponsoring user offers his credits to pay for the sponsored member's participation. Other aspects of the networking system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.

Abstract: Systems and methods for media interaction include transmitting web-based objects, including media objects, between users. For example, a first user may select a media object in response to a prompt and send the media object to a second user. Media objects may be dynamic and customizable to further personalize interactions between the first user and the second user. For example, a usemame of the first user or custom text may be automatically inserted into a media object sent to the second user. In an exemplary embodiment, display of the packaged media object on the second user's client computer may be purposely delayed until a predetermined even occurs. For example, a pulse, or heartbeat, may be generated and fired by a web client to inform the server of a current state of the web client, for example, readiness to receive media objects based on the user activity.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.

Abstract: Matching systems and methods for social networking systems can select matches for users based on observed activities. A matching system can include, for example, a preference unit, a monitoring unit, and a matching unit. Generally, the preference unit can receive and process matching preference information for a user; the monitoring unit can monitor the user's activities on or observable by the server; and the matching unit can select and recommend matches for the user based on the monitored activities. Thus, matches can be suggested to the user based on the user's observed activities, and not simply based on the user's potentially inaccurate self-description.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.

Abstract: Matching systems and methods for social networking systems can select matches for users based on observed activities. A matching system can include, for example, a preference unit, a monitoring unit, and a matching unit. Generally, the preference unit can receive and process matching preference information for a user; the monitoring unit can monitor the user's activities on or observable by the server; and the matching unit can select and recommend matches for the user based on the monitored activities. Thus, matches can be suggested to the user based on the user's observed activities, and not simply based on the user's potentially inaccurate self-description.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.