Author: claimsbot

1. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:
computer code for causing display of content in association with a plurality of messages, the plurality of messages including a first message and a second message, the first message being one of the plurality of messages that is associated with a first online forum, and the second message being one of the plurality of messages that is associated with a second online forum that is different from the first online forum; and
computer code for causing, utilizing a window of a web page, contemporaneous display of a plurality of message summaries, the plurality of message summaries comprising first information derived from the one of the plurality of messages that is associated with the first online forum, the plurality of message summaries further comprising second information derived from the one of the plurality of messages that is associated with the second online forum that is different from the first online forum;
wherein the computer program product is operable such that third information derived from a third message is displayed, utilizing the window of the web page, the third message including an email;
wherein the computer program product is operable such that, in response to a selection of one of the plurality of message summaries comprising the first information derived from the one of the plurality of messages that is associated with the first online forum, fourth information derived from the first message is displayed, wherein the fourth information contains further information not contained in the first information;
wherein the computer program product is further operable such that first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and second preloaded information derived from another one of the plurality of messages is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction;
wherein the computer program product is further operable such that the third information derived from the third message is displayed, utilizing the window of the web page, without having to leave the web page including the window displaying the plurality of message summaries, by not requiring a cessation of a display of the web page due to a replacement, in its entirety, with another web page.
2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising:
computer code for causing display of a stock-related field;
computer code for allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text input by a user as the user is typing the text utilizing the stock-related field;
computer code for causing determination whether the plurality of characters of text input by the user match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>1 text strings; and
computer code for causing, if it is determined that the plurality of characters of text input the user match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.
3. The computer program product of claim 2, and further comprising computer code for allowing receipt of input initiated by the user selecting one of the plurality of n-tuples; and using text from the selected one of the plurality of n-tuples to complete input of the text to a system.
4. The computer program product of claim 3, wherein the using comprises replacing the characters typed so far by the user with text from the selected one of the n-tuples.
5. The computer program product of claim 3, wherein the using comprises appending text from the selected one of the n-tuples to the characters typed so far by the user.
6. The computer program product of claim 2, wherein the stock-related field is displayed on the web page.
7. The computer program product of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of n-tuples includes first text representing a stock ticker symbol and second text representing a company name corresponding to the stock ticker symbol.
8. The computer program product of claim 2, wherein the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples.
9. The computer program product of claim 2, wherein the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings of the matching ones of the plurality of n-tuples.
10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a tooltip.
11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the tooltip is of variable size that is determined by a user.
12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that at least one field that is displayed with the message summaries is determined by a user selection.
13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the at least one field includes at least one of a message title field, a message author field, or a message time submitted field.
14. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is capable of posting a new message to be reflected in the window of the web page.
15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the new message is posted to an external online forum.
16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the new message is posted to an internal online forum.
17. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum relates to a first subject matter, and the second online forum relates to a second subject matter.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, the first subject matter includes sports and the second subject matter includes financials.
19. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the third message is one of a plurality of third messages associated with a third online forum.
20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the third online forum is different from the first online forum and the second online forum.
21. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising:
computer code for causing, utilizing the window of the web page, display of a first set of one or more representations in connection with the web page that includes a second set of representations of a set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page;
computer code for allowing receipt of a first input initiated by a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of one or more representations;
computer code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page such that the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to a server;
computer code for allowing receipt of a second input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of representations; and
computer code for causing, in response to receiving the second input, display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of representations.
22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of one or more representations is a set of textual representations.
23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the first input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the first input initiated by the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the first set of one or more representations.
24. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the first input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the first input initiated by the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the first set of one or more representations.
25. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the second set of representations is a set of graphical representations.
26. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the second input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the second input initiated by the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the set of representations.
27. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer code for allowing receipt of the second input comprises computer code for allowing receipt of the second input initiated by the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the set of hyperlink representations.
28. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer code for causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations comprises computer code for causing display of the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks substantially immediately after receiving the first input.
29. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of one or more representations is specified by the user before displaying the first set of one or more representations.
30. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the second set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the second set of representations.
31. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the web page is implemented utilizing AJAX technology.
32. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the second set of representations are displayed instantaneously.
33. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the second set of representations are displayed for allowing the user to scan through links before the causing display of the destination content.
34. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the second set of representations includes a set of logos.
35. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of one or more representations is sorted into categories.
36. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is sorted into sub-categories.
37. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is presented in a form of a list of sub-categories.
38. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a first portion of the web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a second portion of the web page.
39. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a first frame of the web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a second frame of the web page.
40. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a left frame of the web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a right frame of the web page.
41. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a first portion of the web page, and a content associated with the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a second portion of the web page.
42. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a left frame of the web page, and a content associated with the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a right frame of the web page.
43. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first input and the second input are received over a network by the server.
44. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes additional summary information.
45. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first message includes the first preloaded information.
46. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information includes more information with respect to the first information.
47. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes a date and time.
48. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes a beginning of message text.
49. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a static object.
50. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed without accessing a server.
51. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by a user.
52. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information derived from the third message is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by a user.
53. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the content is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by a user.
54. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes hovering a cursor.
55. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes clicking.
56. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes interactions with one of the message summaries.
57. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and the third message is capable of being accessed utilizing the website.
58. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed utilizing the website.
59. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a new message is capable of being generated by a user utilizing the website.
60. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a new posting is capable of being generated by a user utilizing the website.
61. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a reply message is capable of being generated by a user utilizing the website.
62. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first message and the second message are interwoven.
63. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum includes at least one of a message board or a newsgroup.
64. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum is associated with an internal message board, and the second online forum is associated with an external message board.
65. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by a user.
66. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by a user, by visiting a web site served by an aggregation server that executes the computer code.
67. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed.
68. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed via a drop-down list.
69. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed by selecting the number.
70. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to control a manner in which the message summaries are displayed utilizing a message time submitted field.
71. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to enter a key term for controlling content of at least one of the first message or the second message.
72. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to select any of the message summaries, such that selecting one of the message summaries causes message content for a different message to be displayed.
73. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed via a single browser window.
74. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that revenue is generated utilizing advertisements.
75. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of message summaries are displayed utilizing an aggregation server.
76. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to enter preferences, and the plurality of message summaries are displayed based on the preferences.
77. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information is displayed in a separate frame.
78. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the email is displayed in a separate frame.
79. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is capable of posting a reply message to be reflected in the window of the web page.
80. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to select the first online forum and the second online forum.
81. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to select from a plurality of online forums.
82. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a user is allowed to select from a plurality of online forums, utilizing a drop-down menu.
83. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are different subsets of a single source.
84. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of messages includes a plurality of articles.
85. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of messages includes a plurality of news articles.
86. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first preloaded information includes at least a portion of one of the message summaries associated with the first message.
87. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of one of the message summaries associated with the second message.
88. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of the message summaries associated with the plurality of first messages.
89. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of the message summaries associated with the second online forum.
90. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum relates to a first topic, and the second online forum relates to a second topic.
91. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum relates to a first sub-topic, and the second online forum relates to a second sub-topic.
92. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum have different uniform resource locators.
93. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the content includes at least a portion of the plurality of messages.
94. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the content includes at least a portion of the plurality of message summaries.
95. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single source.
96. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single uniform resource locator.
97. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different uniform resource locators.
98. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single domain.
99. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different domains.
100. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single web page.
101. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different web pages.
102. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the third message is associated with the second online forum.
103. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the content includes an advertisement.
104. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the display of the plurality of message summaries.
105. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the second online forum and the display of the plurality of message summaries.
106. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the display of the third information and the display of the plurality of message summaries.
107. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first information derived from the first message associated with the first online forum is extracted from the first message.
108. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of message summaries are color-coded.
109. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of message summaries are word-coded.
110. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of message summaries are sorted by message title.
111. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory medium includes volatile memory.
112. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory medium includes non-volatile memory.
113. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information derived from the third message is displayed, utilizing the window of the web page and contemporaneously with the plurality of message summaries.
114. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer code is all provided by a server.
115. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer code is operable such that at least a portion of the window of the web page is initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a third user interaction.
116. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the window of the web page includes a rectangular interface of the web page for allowing interaction with the user, and the window of the web page is capable of being displayed by way of HTML of the web page utilizing a network browser window.
117. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer code is operable such that the third information derived from the third message is initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a third user interaction.
118. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
causing display of content in association with a plurality of messages, the plurality of messages including a first message and a second message, the first message being one of the plurality of messages that is associated with a first online forum, and the second message being one of the plurality of messages that is associated with a second online forum that is different from the first online forum; and
causing, utilizing a window of a web page, contemporaneously display of a plurality of message summaries, the plurality of message summaries comprising first information derived from the one of the plurality of messages that is associated with the first online forum, the plurality of message summaries further comprising second information derived from the one of the plurality of messages that is associated with the second online forum that is different from the first online forum;
wherein third information derived from a third message is displayed, utilizing the window of the web page and contemporaneously with the display of the plurality of message summaries, the third message including an email;
wherein, in response to a selection of one of the plurality of message summaries comprising the first information derived from the one of the plurality of messages that is associated with the first online forum, fourth information derived from the first message is displayed, wherein the fourth information contains information not contained in the first information;
wherein first preloaded information derived from one of the plurality of messages is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and second preloaded information derived from another one of the plurality of messages is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction.
119. The method of claim 118, further comprising:
causing display of a stock-related field;
allowing receipt of a plurality of characters of text input by a user as the user is typing the text utilizing the stock-related field;
determining whether the plurality of characters of text input by the user match any of n text strings in one of a plurality of n-tuples including n>1 text strings; and
causing, if it is determined that the plurality of characters of text input by the user match any of the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples, an indication to the user that a match has been found.
120. The method of claim 119, and further comprising allowing receipt of input initiated by the user selecting one of the plurality of n-tuples; and using text from the selected one of the plurality of n-tuples to complete input of the text to a system.
121. The method of claim 120, wherein the using comprises replacing the characters typed so far by the user with text from the selected one of the n-tuples.
122. The method of claim 120, wherein the using comprises appending text from the selected one of the n-tuples to the characters typed so far by the user.
123. The method of claim 119, wherein the stock-related field is displayed on the web page.
124. The method of claim 119, wherein each of the plurality of n-tuples includes first text representing a stock ticker symbol and second text representing a company name corresponding to the stock ticker symbol.
125. The method of claim 119, wherein the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings in the one of the plurality of n-tuples.
126. The method of claim 119, wherein the indication comprises displaying to the user the n text strings of the matching ones of the plurality of n-tuples.
127. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a tooltip.
128. The method of claim 127, wherein the tooltip is of variable size that is determined by a user.
129. The method of claim 118, wherein at least one field that is displayed with the message summaries is determined by a user selection.
130. The method of claim 129, wherein the at least one field includes at least one of a message title field, a message author field, or a message time submitted field.
131. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is capable of posting a new message to be reflected in the window of the web page.
132. The method of claim 131, wherein the new message is posted to an external online forum.
133. The method of claim 131, wherein the new message is posted to an internal online forum.
134. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum relates to a first subject matter, and the second online forum relates to a second subject matter.
135. The method of claim 134, the first subject matter includes sports and the second subject matter includes financials.
136. The method of claim 118, wherein the third message is one of a plurality of third messages associated with a third online forum.
137. The method of claim 136, wherein the third online forum is different from the first online forum and the second online forum.
138. The method of claim 118, and further comprising:
causing, utilizing the window of the web page, display of a first set of one or more representations in connection with the web page that includes a second set of representations of a set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page;
allowing receipt of a first input initiated by a user indicating a selection of one of the first set of one or more representations;
causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks that are preloaded with the web page such that the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks are displayed without requiring an additional access to a server;
allowing receipt of a second input initiated by the user indicating a selection of one of the second set of representations; and
causing, in response to receiving the second input, display of destination content specified by the selected one of the second set of representations.
139. The method of claim 138, wherein the first set of one or more representations is a set of textual representations.
140. The method of claim 138, wherein the allowing receipt of the first input comprises allowing receipt of the first input from the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the first set of one or more representations.
141. The method of claim 138, wherein the allowing receipt of the first input comprises allowing receipt of the first input from the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the first set of one or more representations.
142. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations is a set of graphical representations.
143. The method of claim 138, wherein the allowing receipt of the second input comprises allowing receipt of the second input from the user indicating a mouse click on the selected one of the set of representations.
144. The method of claim 138, wherein the allowing receipt of the second input comprises allowing receipt of the second input from the user indicating a mouse cursor hovering over the selected one of the set of representations.
145. The method of claim 138, wherein the causing, in response to receiving the first input, display of the second set of representations comprises causing display of the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks substantially immediately after receiving the first input.
146. The method of claim 138, wherein the first set of one or more representations is specified by the user before displaying the first set of one or more representations.
147. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations is specified by the user before displaying the second set of representations.
148. The method of claim 138, wherein the web page is implemented utilizing AJAX technology.
149. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations are displayed instantaneously.
150. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations are displayed for allowing the user to scan through links before the causing display of the destination content.
151. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations includes a set of logos.
152. The method of claim 138, wherein the first set of one or more representations is sorted into categories.
153. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is sorted into sub-categories.
154. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is presented in a form of a list of sub-categories.
155. The method of claim 138, wherein the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a first portion of the web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a second portion of the web page.
156. The method of claim 138, wherein the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a first frame of the web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a second frame of the web page.
157. The method of claim 138 wherein the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a left frame of the web page, and a content associated with the first set of one or more representations is displayed in a right frame of the web page.
158. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a first portion of the web page, and a content associated with the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a second portion of the web page.
159. The method of claim 138, wherein the second set of representations of the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a left frame of the web page, and a content associated with the set of hyperlinks is displayed in a right frame of the web page.
160. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes additional summary information.
161. The method of claim 118, wherein the first message includes the first preloaded information.
162. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information includes more information with respect to the first information.
163. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes a date and time.
164. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information each includes a beginning of message text.
165. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a static object.
166. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed without accessing a server.
167. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information are displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by a user.
168. The method of claim 118, wherein the third information derived from the third message is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by a user.
169. The method of claim 118, wherein the content is displayed utilizing a graphical user interface element of variable size that is determined by a user.
170. The method of claim 118, wherein the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes hovering a cursor.
171. The method of claim 118, wherein the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes clicking.
172. The method of claim 118, wherein the first user interaction and the second user interaction each includes interactions with one of the message summaries.
173. The method of claim 118, wherein the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and the third message is capable of being accessed utilizing the website.
174. The method of claim 118, wherein the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed utilizing the website.
175. The method of claim 118, wherein the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a new message is capable of being generated by a user utilizing the website.
176. The method of claim 118, wherein the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a new posting is capable of being generated by a user utilizing the website.
177. The method of claim 118, wherein the displaying the content and the displaying the plurality of message summaries are carried out utilizing a website, and a reply message is capable of being generated by a user utilizing the website.
178. The method of claim 118, wherein the first message and the second message are interwoven.
179. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum includes at least one of a message board or a newsgroup.
180. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum is associated with an internal message board, and the second online forum is associated with an external message board.
181. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by a user.
182. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are chosen by a user, by visiting a web site served by an aggregation server.
183. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed.
184. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed via a drop-down list.
185. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to control a number of the message summaries that are displayed by selecting the number.
186. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to control a manner in which the message summaries are displayed utilizing a message time submitted field.
187. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to enter a key term for controlling content of at least one of the first message or the second message.
188. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to select any of the message summaries, such that selecting one of the message summaries causes message content for a different message to be displayed.
189. The method of claim 118, wherein the first message and the second message are capable of being accessed via a single browser window.
190. The method of claim 118, wherein revenue is generated utilizing advertisements.
191. The method of claim 118, wherein the plurality of message summaries are displayed utilizing an aggregation server.
192. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to enter preferences, and the plurality of message summaries are displayed based on the preferences.
193. The method of claim 118, wherein the third information is displayed in a separate frame.
194. The method of claim 118, wherein the email is displayed in a separate frame.
195. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is capable of posting a reply message to be reflected in the window of the web page.
196. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to select the first online forum and the second online forum.
197. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to select from a plurality of online forums.
198. The method of claim 118, wherein a user is allowed to select from a plurality of online forums, utilizing a drop-down menu.
199. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are different subsets of a single source.
200. The method of claim 118, wherein the plurality of messages includes a plurality of articles.
201. The method of claim 118, wherein the plurality of messages includes a plurality of news articles.
202. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information includes at least a portion of one of the message summaries associated with the first message.
203. The method of claim 118, wherein the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of one of the message summaries associated with the second message.
204. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of the message summaries associated with the plurality of first messages.
205. The method of claim 118, wherein the first preloaded information and the second preloaded information includes at least a portion of the message summaries associated with the second online forum.
206. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum relates to a first topic, and the second online forum relates to a second topic.
207. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum relates to a first sub-topic, and the second online forum relates to a second sub-topic.
208. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum have different uniform resource locators.
209. The method of claim 118, wherein the content includes at least a portion of the plurality of messages.
210. The method of claim 118, wherein the content includes at least a portion of the plurality of message summaries.
211. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single source.
212. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single uniform resource locator.
213. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different uniform resource locators.
214. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single domain.
215. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different domains.
216. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with a single web page.
217. The method of claim 118, wherein the first online forum and the second online forum are associated with different web pages.
218. The method of claim 118, wherein the third message is associated with the second online forum.
219. The method of claim 118, wherein the content includes an advertisement.
220. The method of claim 118, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the display of the plurality of message summaries.
221. The method of claim 118, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the second online forum and the display of the plurality of message summaries.
222. The method of claim 118, wherein an entity that manages the first online forum also manages the display of the third information and the display of the plurality of message summaries.
223. The method of claim 118, wherein the first information derived from the first message associated with the first online forum is extracted from the first message.
224. The method of claim 118, wherein the plurality of message summaries are color-coded.
225. The method of claim 118, wherein the plurality of message summaries are word-coded.
226. The method of claim 118, wherein the plurality of message summaries are sorted by message title.
227. The method of claim 118, and further comprising: displaying the third information derived from the third message without having to leave the web page, by not requiring a cessation of a display of the web page due to a replacement, in its entirety, with another web page.
228. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
(1) displaying, utilizing a window of a web page, web content representing at least a portion of a first message, the first message comprising one of a plurality of messages posted to a first online forum;
(2) displaying, utilizing the window of the web page and contemporaneously with the web content, a message summary, the message summary comprising first information derived from the first message and second information derived from a second message, the second message comprising one of a plurality of messages posted to a second online forum that is different from the first online forum;
(3) receiving, initiated by a user, input selecting the message summary; and
(4) displaying third information derived from the first message, in response to receiving the user input;
wherein fourth information derived from a third message is displayed, utilizing the window of the web page, the third message including an email;
wherein first additional information derived from the first message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a first user interaction; and second additional information derived from the second message is preloaded and initially hidden, and later displayed in response to a second user interaction;
wherein the third information contains further information not contained in the first information;
wherein the fourth information derived from the third message is displayed, utilizing the window of the web page, without having to leave the web page including the window displaying the plurality of message summaries, by not requiring a cessation of a display of the web page due to a replacement, in its entirety, with another web page.
229. The method of claim 228, wherein (2) comprises:
(2)(a) receiving the first information from at least one remote source;
(2)(b) storing the first information at a local source; and
(2)(c) displaying the first information from the local source.
230. The method of claim 229, wherein (3) comprises receiving input indicating that the user has positioned a cursor over the message summary.
231. The method of claim 229, wherein (4) comprises displaying the third information using a tooltip.
232. The method of claim 229, wherein (4) comprises displaying the third information using a static user interface object.
233. The method of claim 229, wherein (4) comprises displaying third information retrieved from a local source.
234. The method of claim 228, wherein (1) comprises displaying the web content in a first frame of the window, and wherein (2) comprises displaying the message summary in a second frame of the window distinct from the first frame.
235. The method of claim 228, wherein the first online forum comprises a web-based message board.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of customizing a question answering system comprising:
searching a plurality of articles based on a user query from a user received via a computer network;
delivering a set of articles, based on the searching, to the user via the computer network;
receiving user feedback on the set of articles from the user via the computer network; and
associating a given article from among the set of articles with the user query based on the user feedback.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user feedback is based on at least one of the following activities performed by the user:
selecting an article of the plurality of articles;
spending time viewing the article;
scrolling through the article;
leaving the article within a given time period after viewing the article;
selecting a second article;
making a manual user entry; and
returning to a previously selected article.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
applying a corresponding score to each article within the set of articles based on the user feedback.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising clustering user queries based on a linguistic distance being below a particular threshold.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
associating a first cluster and second cluster based on a common association with the same article.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
presenting a representation of the clusters of user queries to a user; and
enabling the user to modify the cluster.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein modifying the cluster includes performing at least one of the following operations:
mapping the cluster to a particular article.
creating a new article associated with the cluster;
deleting an article associated with the cluster;
connecting the cluster to a secondary user query, the secondary user query clarifying the user queries of the cluster;
merging a first article and a second article associated with the cluster to be one search result;
splitting an article associated with the cluster into a first article and a second article associated with the cluster; and
rewriting an article associated with the cluster.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising authorizing a user to modify the cluster.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a dialog mode to a user.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
receiving a natural language query from a user; and
presenting a natural language answer to the user, the natural language answer being an article associated with a cluster, or, if more information is needed, presenting a second natural language query to the user.
11. A system for customizing a question answering system comprising:
a search module configured to search a plurality of articles based on a user query from a user received via a computer network;
an articles module configured to deliver a set of articles, based on the searching, to the user via the computer network and receive user feedback on the set of articles from the user via the computer network; and
an association module configured to associate a given article from among the set of articles with the user query based on the user feedback.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the user feedback is based on at least one of the following activities performed by the user:
selecting an article of the plurality of articles;
spending time viewing the article;
scrolling through the article;
leaving the article within a given time period after viewing the article;
selecting a second article;
making a manual user entry; and
returning to a previously selected article.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the association module is further configured to apply a corresponding score to each article within the set of articles based on the user feedback.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a clustering module configured to cluster user queries based on a linguistic distance being below a particular threshold.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the association module is further configured to associate a first cluster and second cluster based on a common association with the same article.
16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a user interface module configured to present a representation of the clusters of user queries to a user and enable the user to modify the cluster.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein modifying the cluster includes performing at least one of the following operations:
mapping the cluster to a particular article.
creating a new article associated with the cluster;
deleting an article associated with the cluster;
connecting the cluster to a secondary user query, the secondary user query clarifying the user queries of the cluster;
merging a first article and a second article associated with the cluster to be one search result;
splitting an article associated with the cluster into a first article and a second article associated with the cluster; and
rewriting an article associated with the cluster.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the user interface module is further configured to authorize a user to modify the cluster.
19. The system of claim 10, further comprising a user interface module configured to present a dialog mode to a user.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the user interface module is further configured to receive a natural language query from a user and present a natural language answer to the user, the natural language answer being an article associated with a cluster, or, if more information is needed, presenting a second natural language query to the user.

1. An optical device, comprising:
a sealed container that has edge walls and a side wall, the edge walls facing each other in a thickness direction of the container, the side wall connecting both of the edge walls;
a first liquid that has polarity or electrical conductivity, the first liquid being sealed within the container;
a second liquid that is sealed within the container and does not mixed with the first liquid; and
voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the first liquid; wherein
the first liquid and the second liquid have equal specific gravity, and transmissivity of the first liquid is lower than the transmissivity of the second liquid,
an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid changes shape in response to a voltage applied by the voltage applying means;
a light transmission path that passes through the edge walls and extends in a direction of the thickness of the container is formed;
a hydrophilic film that is formed on a portion inside the side wall corresponding to the first liquid, wettability of the hydrophilic film with respect to the first liquid being higher than wettability of the hydrophilic film with respect to the second liquid; and
a water-repellant film that is formed on a portion inside the side wall corresponding to the second liquid, wettability of the water-repellant film with respect to the second liquid being higher than wettability of the water-repellant film with respect to the first liquid.
2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein:
the interface is formed in a plane that is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the container;
the hydrophilic film is provided on a portion on the inside of the side wall corresponding to the first liquid along an entire circumference; and
the water-repellant film is provided on a portion on the inside of the side wall corresponding to the second liquid along an entire circumference.
3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein:
the voltage applying means includes a first electrode provided on an entire circumference of the inside of the side wall and a second electrode provided along an outer circumference of the inside of the edge wall on a side on which the first liquid is located; and
the hydrophilic film and the water-repellant film are provided so as to cover a surface of the first electrode.
4. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein:
the voltage applying means includes a first electrode provided on an entire circumference of the inside of the side wall and a second electrode provided along an outer circumference of the inside of the edge wall on a side on which the first liquid is located;
the hydrophilic film and the water-repellant film are provided so as to cover a surface of the first electrode;
another hydrophilic film is formed on an inner portion of the second electrode and on the inside of the edge wall on a side on which the first liquid is located, and
wettability of the another hydrophilic film with respect to the first liquid is higher than wettability of the another hydrophilic film with respect to the second liquid.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An anti-counterfeiting method, comprising:
creating from an object a first data set having data in a first data arrangement;
modifying the data within said first data set to create a second data arrangement for said first data set;
determining whether data on an object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for said first data set by comparing said object presented for validation to both said first and said second data arrangements; and
if the data on said object presented for validation is determined to be consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for said first data set, accepting said object presented for validation, else rejecting said object presented for validation.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, providing at least one object with said first data set.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data within said first data set is modified every time an object is provided with said first data set.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein an attribute of the data within said first data set is modified every time an object is provided with said first data set.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
if the data on said object presented for validation is determined to be consistent with the data of the first data arrangement for said first data set:
determining whether another object having the first data set in the first data arrangement has previously been accepted;
rejecting said object presented for validation if it is determined that another object having the first data set in the first data arrangement has previously been accepted;

if the data on said object presented for validation is determined to be consistent with the data of the second data arrangement for said first data set:
determining whether another object having the first data set in the second data arrangement has previously been accepted; and
rejecting said object presented for validation if it is determined that another object having the first data set in the second data arrangement has previously been accepted.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one object includes a memory, and wherein providing at least one object with said first data set comprises transferring the first data set to said memory.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one object further comprises a microprocessor, the microprocessor modifying the data within the first data set transferred to said memory to create a plurality of data arrangements for the first data set transferred to said memory, said memory storing at least one of said plurality of data arrangements.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one object further comprises a clock, said microprocessor accessing the clock to modify the first data set transferred to said memory according to a time interval.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, providing a plurality of objects with said first data set, and wherein the data within said first data set is modified after a preset number of the plurality of objects have been provided with said first data set.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
if the data on said object presented for validation is determined to be consistent with the data of the first data arrangement for said first data set:
determining whether a preset number of other objects having the first data set in the first data arrangement have been accepted;
rejecting said object presented for validation if it is determined that a present number of other objects having the first data set in the first data arrangement have previously been accepted;

if the data on said object presented for validation is determined to be consistent with the data of the second data arrangement for said first data set:
determining whether a preset number of other objects having the first data set in the second data arrangement have previously been accepted; and
rejecting said object presented for validation if it is determined that a present number of other objects having the first data set in the second data arrangement have previously been accepted.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, maintaining a record of the first and second data arrangements for said first data set.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said first data set comprises a first bitmap of image data representative of a first image, the first bitmap of image data including a first plurality of pixels, and wherein modifying the data within said first data set comprises changing at least one attribute of at least one of said first plurality of pixels.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the data on said object presented for validation comprises a second bitmap of image data representative of a second image, the second bitmap of image data including a second plurality of pixels.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether data on an object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for said first data set comprises:
determining whether each pixel of the second plurality of pixels is consistent with a corresponding pixel of the first plurality of pixels in the first data arrangement;
if each pixel of the second plurality of pixels is determined to be consistent with the corresponding pixel of the first plurality of pixels in the first data arrangement, accepting said object presented for validation, else:
determining whether each pixel of the second plurality of pixels is consistent with a corresponding pixel of the first plurality of pixels in the second data arrangement; and
if each pixel of the second plurality of pixels is determined to be consistent with the corresponding pixel of the first plurality of pixels in the second data arrangement, accepting said object presented for validation, else rejecting said object presented for validation.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether data on an object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for said first data set comprises:
calculating a first reference sum for the first plurality of pixels in the first data arrangement;
calculating a second reference sum for said second plurality of pixels;
determining whether said second reference sum is consistent with said first reference sum;
if the second reference sum is determined to be consistent with the first reference sum, accepting said object presented for validation, else:
calculating a third reference sum for the first plurality of pixels in the second data arrangement;
determining whether said second reference sum is consistent with said third reference sum; and
if the second reference sum is determined to be consistent with the third reference sum, accepting said object presented for validation, else rejecting said object presented for validation.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising, displaying said first and second images.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said first data arrangement has a first time stamp associated therewith, wherein said second data arrangement as a second time stamp associated therewith, wherein said data on said object presented for validation has a third time stamp associated therewith, and wherein determining whether data on an object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for said first data set comprises:
determining whether the third time stamp is consistent with the first or second time stamp;
if the third time stamp is determined to be consistent with the first time stamp, rejecting said object presented for validation unless it is determined that the data on said object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the first data arrangement for said first data set;
if the third time stamp is determined to be consistent with the second time stamp, rejecting said object presented for validation unless it is determined that the data on said object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the second data arrangement for said first data set; and
if the third time stamp is not determined to be consistent with the first or second time stamp, rejecting said object presented for validation.
18. An anti-counterfeiting system, comprising:
a first data set having data in a first data arrangement created from an object, the data within said first data set being modifiable to create a second data arrangement for said first data set;
data reading apparatus, said data reading apparatus reading data on an object; and
a data processing system operatively associated with said data reading apparatus, the data processing system receiving the data on said object from said data reading apparatus, the data processing system determining whether the data on said object is consistent with the data of the first and second data arrangements for said first data set, said object being accepted if said data processing system determines that the data on said object is consistent with the data of the first and second data arrangement for said first data set, said object being rejected if said data processing system does not determine that the data on said object is consistent with the data of the first and second data arrangement for said first data set.
19. The anti-counterfeiting system of claim 18, further comprising at least one object, said at least one object comprising a memory, said first data set being transferable to the memory of said at least one object.
20. An anti-counterfeiting system, comprising:
a data processing system for modifying data within a computer readable storage device having a first data arrangement, created from an object, to create a second data arrangement for said data, for determining whether data on an object presented for validation is consistent with the data of the first and second data arrangement, and for accepting said object if the data on said object is determined to be consistent with the data of the first and second data arrangement, else of rejecting said object.