Abstract: A social media system directs content data to users according to content affinity data received from users. A server program assigns work queue pipelines on the server a processing priority in numeric order of (i) expressed affinity data, (ii) calculated affinity data, (iii) collaborative filtering affinity data, (iv) content-based affinity data, and (v) global user average affinity data. Collaborative filtering affinity data comprises item based collaborative filtering data and user based collaborative filtering data with item based data being granted a higher processing priority than user based data. The processing priority at the server determines how quickly content data at an end user device can be updated. The user devices, accessed by a user with an account on the social network described herein, displays content data received from the server in accordance with processed affinity data received by the server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of transactions within an approvals management system that utilizes production rules stored in a relational database are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a management approval system includes a database and an engine. The database is arranged to store a set of production rules, and the engine is arranged to receive data and to utilize the data to process the set of production rules. The data includes a plurality of conditions having associated counters, and the engine is arranged to sort the plurality of conditions using the associated counters into an order and to evaluate the plurality of conditions based on the order.