WO2012027772A1

WO2012027772A1 - A method of preparing a list of entity data and computer readable code, computers and systems adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane

Info

Publication number: WO2012027772A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Fiorenza; Michael Salmon
Original assignee: White Flame Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-01
Filing date: 2010-09-01
Publication date: 2012-03-08

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a method of preparing a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session and computer readable code, computers and systems adapted for displaying the list of entity data in the dynamic information pane. The first step of the method involves querying one or more log databases for a list of logs, each log being created by one of the entities when the entity performs an activity from a group of activities and comprising an entity identifier indicative of the entity which created the log and a newness data indicative of when the log was created, wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database as a function of the newness data. The second step involves ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus preparing the list of entity data. The third step involves repeating the first to second steps. This is beneficial as the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane is prepared in chronological order and is continually refreshed automatically to provide an always updated list of entity data.

Description

A METHOD OF PREPARING A LIST OF ENTITY DATA AND COMPUTER READABLE CODE, COMPUTERS AND SYSTEMS ADAPTED FOR DISPLAYING A LIST OF ENTITY DATA IN A DYNAMIC INFORMATION PANE Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a list of entity data and computer readable code, computers and systems adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in websites and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

The internet provides users with a convenient medium to access a wealth of information from a number of websites during a browsing session. The Internet also provides a convenient means to foster communication with other users. These websites, oftentimes comprising a plurality of webpages, are displayed in a web browser installed on the user's computing device, which the user can use to navigate to the different webpages of the website to retrieve information. The web browser oftentimes includes a toolbar having different user-selectable buttons to allow the user to select different information to be displayed in the web browser and/or perform a variety of other functions. An application installed as a browser toolbar, browser plug-in, desktop application or other installed application, are developed specifically for the browser, browser version, computing device, operating system and operating system version targeted. Unlike the website, these applications require re -installation of the program each time changes are made to the applications. In addition, the user's permission is often required to install such applications into the browser or computing device as well as manage antivirus rules, manage firewall rules and open ports in the firewall for the application to have internet access so that re -installation can occur and so the application can have ongoing access to the internet.

The present invention seeks to provide a method of preparing a list of entity data and computer readable code, computers and systems adapted for displaying the list of entity data in the dynamic information pane which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising the steps of: (i) querying one or more log databases for a list of logs, each log being created by one of the entities when the entity performs an activity from a group of activities and comprising an entity identifier indicative of the entity which created the log and a newness data indicative of when the log was created, wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database as a function of the newness data;

(ii) ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus preparing the list of entity data; and

(iii) repeating steps (i) to (ii).

Advantageously, the entity data of each entity of the list of entities which performs an activity is prepared as a list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane on the webpages in chronological order.

Advantageously, the list of entity data is continually refreshed automatically for display in the dynamic information pane to provide an always updated list of entity data.

Advantageously, the dynamic information pane is integral with each webpage of the plurality of webpages of the website and does not need to be installed as a separate toolbar, web browser plug-in, desktop application, or other installed application. This is beneficial as the dynamic information pane is platform independent such that there is no need to write a separate install for the browser application. This is also beneficial as the dynamic information pane is sandboxed within the security context of the browser application such that there is no need for users to request permission to install the dynamic information pane into the browser or computing device or open ports in the firewall, set up firewall application rules, or manage anti-virus software installed on the computing device, for the dynamic information pane to have internet access.

Preferably, each log further comprises an activity data indicative of the activity performed by the entity which created the log.

Advantageously, activity data is generated by an entity interacting with the website.

Advantageously, each log indicates which activity was performed by the entity to create the log.

Preferably, the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, the method further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected;

and before step (ii):

- filtering the list of logs as a function of the activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

Advantageously, the user can conveniently filter the prepared list of entity data on a plurality of webpages of the website for display in the dynamic information pane.

Advantageously, the user can filter the list of entity data prepared for display in the dynamic information pane according to the activity performed by any of the entities within the list of entities. Advantageously, the selected filter persists throughout the user browsing session, or until such time as the user selects another filter.

Advantageously, the list of entity data prepared for display in the dynamic information pane can be filtered to substantially reduce the size of the list of entity data prepared and thus substantially increase the speed by which the entity data may be displayed in the dynamic information pane.

Preferably, each entity of the list of entities is a member of the website, and one member of the website is the user.

Preferably, the group of activities comprises at least two subgroups of possible activities and the activity performed by the member is chosen from one of the at least two subgroups of possible activities.

Advantageously, the activities from the group of activities can be further classified into at least two subgroups of possible activities. This is beneficial as related and/or similar activities can be grouped together into distinct subgroups.

Preferably, a first activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a site wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a site wide filter corresponding to a site wide activity, the site wide activity relating to every activity in the site wide activities group performed by the members of the website.

Advantageously, the site wide filter allows the list of entity data prepared for display in the dynamic information pane to be filtered to display every activity in the site wide activities group performed by members of the website. This is beneficial as the user can conveniently monitor every activity in the site wide activities group performed by members of the website.

Preferably, a second activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a profile wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a profile filter corresponding to a member profile activity, the member profile activity relating to every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website.

Advantageously, the profile wide filter allows the list of entity data prepared for display in the dynamic information pane to be filtered to display every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website. This is beneficial as the user can conveniently monitor every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by particular members of the website.

Preferably, one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a predetermined list of members, the predetermined list of members being a subset of the total members of the website.

Advantageously, the list of entity data can be filtered by an activity performed only by a member of a predetermined list of members. This is beneficial as, the user can conveniently monitor activities performed by members of the predetermined list of members.

Preferably, one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user, the preferred list of members being a subset of the total members of the website.

Advantageously, the list of entity data can be filtered by an activity performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user. This is beneficial as, the user can conveniently monitor activities performed by members of the preferred list of members. Preferably, the dynamic information pane comprises a plurality of member display areas, each member display area being adapted to display an entity data of the list of entity data and comprising one or more user-selectable icons.

Advantageously, the member display areas allow entity data corresponding to members of the website to be displayed in the corresponding member display area in the dynamic information pane.

Advantageously, each member display area provides one or more user-selectable icons that when selected, perform a certain function with respect to the corresponding member display area and/or enable the user to be redirected to other webpages related to the entity data displayed in the corresponding member display area.

Preferably, one of the one or more user- selectable icons is a delete button for removing the corresponding member display area from the dynamic information pane when selected.

Advantageously, the user can remove a member display area displaying undesired entity data.

Preferably, one of the one or more user- selectable icons is a member information button for opening a member profile page corresponding to the member when selected.

Advantageously, the user can be directed to a member profile page related to the entity data displayed in the corresponding member display area, thereby providing the user with a convenient link to each member profile page in the website.

Preferably, each member display area of the plurality of member display areas further comprises a status indicator associated with the member, the status indicator indicating the online status of the member.

Advantageously, the user can view the online status of each member related to an entity data of the list of entity data displayed in the dynamic information pane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer executable steps for preparing a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising steps of:

(i) querying one or more log databases for a list of logs, each log being created by one of the entities when the entity performs an activity from a group of activities and comprising an entity identifier indicative of the entity which created the log and a newness data indicative of when the log was created, wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database as a function of the newness data;

(iii) repeating steps (i) to (ii).

Preferably, the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected;

and before step (ii):

filtering the list of logs as a function of activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer readable code for carrying out the computer executable steps of any one of the preceding paragraphs when run on a computer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: - a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and

an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising: the computer of any one of the preceding claims; and

- one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the computer through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

Advantageously, users are able to remotely access and view the list of entity data prepared for display in the dynamic information pane via a client terminal.

Preferably, the entity data communication means is one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

Advantageously, the one or more network cards enable the computer to access the internet and upload data, such as the list of entity data, to the website for display in the dynamic information pane.

Advantageously, users have remote access to the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane wherever there is access to the internet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided two or more connected computers adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising: a processor; and computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs,

wherein at least one of the two or more computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

Advantageously, the two or more connected computers each process components of the computer readable code together to increase the throughput of preparing the list of entity data, allowing the list of entity data to be updated in a timely fashion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising: the two or more connected computers of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

Advantageously, the one or more network cards enable the computer to access the internet and upload data, such as the list of entity data to the website for display in the dynamic information pane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs; an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means; and

a data receiving means operatively connected to the processor and adapted to receive the user input data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising: the computer of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the computer through the entity data communication means by a remote connection, each of the one or more client terminals further comprising data input means for receiving the user input data from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input data to the computer through the data receiving means by the remote connection.

Advantageously, users are able to remotely send user input data to select a desired filter to the computer via a client terminal.

Preferably, the entity data communication means and the data receiving means are one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

Advantageously, users can send user input data to select a desired filter to the computer via a client terminal wherever there is access to the internet.

Advantageously, the one or more network cards enable the computer to access the internet and upload data, such as the list of entity data, to the website for display in the dynamic information pane, and receive data, such as the user input data, sent from one or more client terminals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided two or more connected computers adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising: a processor; and computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least one of the two or more connected computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made accessible through the entity data communication means, and

wherein at least one of the two or more connected computers comprises a data receiving means operatively connected to the processor and adapted to receive the user input data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising: the two or more connected computers of any one of the preceding claims; and one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection, each of the one or more client terminals further comprising data input means for receiving the user input data from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input data to the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the data receiving means by the remote connection.

Advantageously, users are able to remotely send user input data to select a desired filter to at least one of the two or more connected computers via a client terminal.

Advantageously, users can send user input data to select a desired filter to at least one of the two or more connected computers via a client terminal wherever there is access to the internet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising the steps of:

(i) querying one or more log databases for a list of logs, each log being created by one of the entities when the entity performs an activity from a group of activities and comprising an entity identifier indicative of the entity which created the log and a newness data indicative of when the log was created, wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database as a function of the newness data; (ii) ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus forming the list of entity data;

(iii) dividing the ordered list of entity data into the one or more list portions; and

(iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii).

Advantageously, the entity data of each entity of the list of entities which performs an activity is formed as a list of entity data in chronological order and the list of entity data is divided into one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane on the webpages. This is beneficial as only portions of the list of entity data needed to be displayed are displayed on the dynamic information pane.

Advantageously, each of the one or more list portions is substantially smaller in size than the list of entity data and thus substantially increases the speed by which the entity data may be displayed in the dynamic information page.

Advantageously, the one or more list portions are continually refreshed automatically for display in the dynamic information pane to provide an always updated one or more list portions.

Preferably, the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, the method further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected; and before step (ii): filtering the list of logs as a function of the activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

Advantageously, the user can conveniently filter the list of entity data which is divided into the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane. Advantageously, the user can filter the list of entity data according to the activity performed by any of the entities within the list of entities.

Advantageously, the selected filter persists throughout the user browsing session, or until such time as the user selects another filter.

Advantageously, the list of entity data can be filtered to substantially reduce its size and thus substantially increase the speed by which the list of entity is divided into the one or more list portions and displayed in the dynamic information pane.

Advantageously, the site wide filter allows the list of entity data to be filtered to allow the one or more list portions to display every activity in the site wide activities group performed by members of the website. This is beneficial as the user can conveniently monitor every activity in the site wide activities group performed by members of the website.

Advantageously, the profile wide filter allows the list of entity data to be filtered to allow the one or more list portions to display every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website. This is beneficial as the user can conveniently monitor every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by particular members of the website.

Preferably, one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user, the preferred list of members being a subset of the total members of the website. Advantageously, the list of entity data can be filtered by an activity performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user. This is beneficial as, the user can conveniently monitor activities performed by members of the preferred list of members.

Preferably, the dynamic information pane comprises a plurality of member display areas, each member display area being adapted to display an entity data of at least one of the one or more list portions and comprising one or more user-selectable icons.

Advantageously, the user can view the online status of each member related to an entity data of the one or more list portions displayed in the dynamic information pane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer executable steps for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising steps of:

(ii) ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus forming the list of entity data; (iii) dividing the ordered list of entity data into the one or more list portions; and

(iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii).

Preferably, the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected; and before step (ii): filtering the list of logs as a function of activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: a processor; - computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system adapted for displaying one or more list portions of a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising: the computer of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and - one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the computer through the entity data communication means by a remote connection. Advantageously, users are able to remotely access and view the at least one of the one or more list portions prepared for display in the dynamic information pane via a client terminal.

Advantageously, the client terminal does not retrieve the entire list of entity data but only the at least one of the one or more list portions which substantially increases the speed of the retrieval.

Advantageously, the one or more network cards enable the computer to access the internet and upload data, such as the one or more list portions, to the website for display in the dynamic information pane.

Advantageously, users have remote access to the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane wherever there is access to the internet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided two or more connected computers adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising:

a processor; and

computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs,

wherein at least one of the two or more computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

Advantageously, the two or more connected computers each process components of the computer readable code together to increase the throughput of preparing the one or more list portions, allowing the one or more list portions to be updated in a timely fashion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system adapted for displaying one or more list portions of a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the two or more connected computers of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

Advantageously, users are able to remotely access and view the one or more list portions prepared for display in the dynamic information pane via a client terminal. Advantageously, the client terminal does not retrieve the entire list of entity data but only the at least one of the one or more list portions which substantially increases the speed of the retrieval.

Advantageously, the one or more network cards enable the computer to access the internet and upload data, such as the one or more list portions to the website for display in the dynamic information pane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of any one of the preceding paragraphs; - an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means; and a data receiving means operatively connected to the processor and adapted to receive the user input data.

the computer of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the computer through the entity data communication means by a remote connection, each of the one or more client terminals further comprising data input means for receiving the user input data from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input data to the computer through the data receiving means by the remote connection.

Advantageously, users are able to remotely access and view the one or more list portions prepared for display in the dynamic information pane via a client terminal. Advantageously, users are able to remotely send user input data to select a desired filter to the computer via a client terminal.

Advantageously, the one or more network cards enable the computer to access the internet and upload data, such as the one or more list portions, to the website for display in the dynamic information pane, and receive data, such as the user input data, sent from one or more client terminals.

a processor; and

wherein at least one of the two or more connected computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means, and

the two or more connected computers of any one of the preceding paragraphs; and one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection, each of the one or more client terminals further comprising data input means for receiving the user input data from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input data to the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the data receiving means by the remote connection.

Advantageously, users are able to remotely access and view the one or more list portions prepared for display in the dynamic information pane via a client terminal.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of preparing list portions of a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the dynamic information pane of Fig. 1 displayed in a typical webpage of the plurality of webpages of the website during a user browsing session;

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of the method shown in Fig. 1, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters in the dynamic information pane for filtering the list of entity data according to the filter selected;

Fig. 4 shows a system adapted for displaying the list portions in the dynamic information pane of Fig. 1 comprising a computer and six client terminals; Fig. 5 shows a system adapted for displaying the list portions in the dynamic information pane of Fig. 1 comprising two connected computers and six client terminals;

Fig. 6 shows a system adapted for displaying the list portions in the dynamic information pane of Fig. 1 comprising a computer having a data receiving means adapted to receive user input data, and six client terminals each having data input means and being adapted to send the user input data to the computer through the data receiving means; and

Fig. 7 shows a system adapted for displaying the list portions in the dynamic information pane of Fig. 1 comprising two connected computers, wherein at least one of the connected computers comprises a data receiving means adapted to receive user input data, and six client terminals each having data input means and being adapted to send the user input data to the at least one of the connected computers through the data receiving means. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method 10 of preparing list portions of a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane 20 on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session. As shown in Fig. 2, the dynamic information pane 20 is shown in a typical webpage 1000 of a plurality of webpages of the website. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the method 10 prepares only one list portion.

The first step 30 of the method 10 involves querying a log database 40 for a list of logs, each log being created by one of the entities when the entity performs an activity from a group of activities and comprising an entity identifier indicative of the entity which created the log and a newness data indicative of when the log was created, wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database 40 as a function of the newness data. Each of the logs in the list of logs is selected from the log database 40 based on the recentness of its creation as indicated by the newness data, with the most recent logs being selected and listed in the list of logs. It will be appreciated that the logs may be selected from the log database 40 according to another function of the newness data, such as, for example, a predefined timeframe in which the newness data is indicative of when the log was created. It will also be appreciated that the first step 30 of the method 10 is not limited to simply querying one log database 40, but may query one or more log databases 40 for the list of logs.

The second step 50 of the method 10 involves ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane 20, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus forming the list of entity data. The entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs are ordered chronologically, from new to old, as indicated by the newness data. It will be appreciated that the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs may be ordered differently while still corresponding to the newness data, such as, for example, from old to new.

The third step 55 of the method 10 involves dividing the ordered list of entity data into the list portions. It will be appreciated that each of the list portions may have different amounts of entity data. However, in this embodiment, each list portion has substantially similar amounts of entity data. The division of the list of entity data into the list portions is performed to allow the dynamic information pane 20 to display one list portion at a given time instead of displaying the entire list of entity data. This is beneficial when the list of entity data is large, for example when there are over one thousand entity data in the list of entity data, potentially slowing down the speed with which the dynamic information pane 20 can display the entity data. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the dynamic information pane 20 displays more than one list portion.

The fourth step 60 of the method 10 involves repeating the first 30 to third 55 steps, thereby constantly updating the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20. These steps allow the prepared list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20 to be associated with the latest activity from the group activities performed by an entity in chronological order, from new to old.

In this embodiment, each log further comprises an activity data indicative of the activity performed by the entity which created the log.

As shown in Fig. 2, the dynamic information pane 20 comprises a filter selection means 70 for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities. The filter selection means 70 enables the user to filter the list of entity data, which is divided into the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20, according to the filter selected.

The filter selection means 70 being one or more user-selectable links 80 in the dynamic information pane 20, provides the user with a convenient and efficient way to select the desired filter on a plurality of webpages of the website. It will be appreciated that two or more user- selectable links 80 may relate to the same filter.

In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the filter selection means 70 is not limited to comprising one or more user-selectable links 80 to filter the list of entity data, but may include, for example, a text entry box in which the user is required to enter text to select the desired filter.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, in the first embodiment, the method 10 further comprises the steps of, before the first step 30, receiving from the user, a user input data 85 corresponding to the filter selected, and before the second step 50, filtering the list of logs as a function of the activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected. These further steps allow the user to filter the list of logs according to an activity of the group of activities selected by the user, hence filtering the list of entity data such that only entity data corresponding to the filter selected is divided into the list portions to be displayed. It will be appreciated that the selected filter persists throughout the user browsing session such that the only entity data that populates the dynamic information pane 20 corresponds to the filter selected, or until such time as the user selects another filter. Each entity of the list of entities is a member of the website, and one member of the website is the user. Preferably, each member is required to undergo a registration process to create a member profile to enable them to access and use the website. Each associated entity data of the member for the purpose of registration and creating the member profile for identifying the member comprises information related to the member. In this embodiment, the associated entity data of the member includes at least a member image 90 and member identification 100, where the member image 90 is preferably a digital image of the member's choosing and the member identification 100 is a string or a text string comprising information related to the member. It will be appreciated that the string or text string may comprise numerical or alphanumerical characters.

The member identification 100 text string comprises a user name that the member can enter using the text entry box and member information that can be used to identify the member, including such member information as, but not limited to, any one or more of the following information: member name, member pseudonym, member age, member sex, member address, member location (country, state, region, suburb), member contact details (email address, telephone number), geo-location profile information (longitude, latitude, altitude, ground elevation, geo-location accuracy, heading direction, speed, geo-location timestamp, geo- location information), sexuality, height, likes, dislikes, member attributes, interests, favourite websites, profile creation timestamp, profile update timestamp, favourite images, favourite audio segments, favourite videos/tubes. The member identification 100 text string will also include a unique numerical identifier (not shown) corresponding to the member, which will be hidden from view of all members and used by the entity identifier to identify the member that performed an activity. Alternatively, the member identification 100 may also include a globally unique ID (GUID) used interchangeably with the unique numerical identifier as a unique identifier of the member.

It will be appreciated that the registration process will create a member profile page for each member of the website comprising one or more of the member information details described above. It will also be appreciated that in the event the member does not provide a member image 90, a default member image will be automatically placed into the member profile page. In this embodiment, members will be able to update the information on their member profile page at any time. It will be appreciated, however, that the numerical identifier or GUID once created cannot be altered in any way by any of the members.

In this embodiment, an activity from the group of activities is an activity performed in the website by the members. It will be appreciated that the members must be signed in to the website to perform activities in the website. It will also be appreciated that the members can upload and/or modify their member information on the member profile page, such as the member image 90 and the member identification 100 at any point during the browsing session. The members can view other member profile pages and send messages or chat requests to other members of the website.

In other embodiments, the associated entity data may comprise other information related to the member in the form of one or more text strings and/or any other form of multimedia. In one example, the associated entity data may comprise member information in the form of text only. In another example, the multimedia member information may include, but not limited to, any one or more of the following forms of multimedia: video, audio. In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the members may not have to sign in to the website to use it, but may be authenticated to use the website by any other suitable means of authentication.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in the first embodiment, the first 30, second 50, third 55 and fourth 60 steps of the method 10, as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, will constantly prepare, for display in the dynamic information pane 20, the member image 90, or an image of the member's choosing, and the member identification 100 of each of the members that performed any recent activity in the website in chronological order, from new to old. Preferably, as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, the user will also have the ability to select the appropriate filter to constantly prepare, for display in the dynamic information pane 20, the member image 90 and the member identification 100 of each of the members that performed a recent activity in the website corresponding to the filter selected in chronological order, from new to old.

The group of activities comprises at least two subgroups of possible activities and the activity performed by the member is chosen from one of the at least two subgroups of possible activities. This is beneficial as related and/or similar activities can be grouped together into distinct subgroups.

A first activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a site wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a site wide filter corresponding to a site wide activity, the site wide activity relating to every activity in the site wide activities group performed by the members of the website. In this embodiment, the site wide activities group comprises an online activity, a new member's activity, a new public image activity and a popular member's activity. The online activity is an activity that indicates when members sign in to the website and corresponds to an online filter. The new member's activity is an activity that indicates when new members are created following completion of the registration process and corresponds to a new members filter. The new public image activity is an activity that indicates when members upload and/or modify their member image 90 of the associated entity data and corresponds to the new public image filter. It will be appreciated that image to be displayed in the dynamic information pane 20 may be the member image 90, or the image of the member's choosing.

The popular member's activity is an activity performed by a member of a predetermined list of members, the predetermined list of members being a subset of the total members of the website. All members in the predetermined list of members are popular members, the popularity of the members being determined by, for example, using an algorithm or other means.

In this embodiment, the popularity of a member of the website is generally related to the number of activities performed by other members with respect to the member. The popular member's activity corresponds to a popular member's filter. For example, the predetermined list of members corresponds to those members having member profile pages that have been viewed many times by other members of the website.

In this embodiment, any one of the activities described in the site wide activities group may be selected for dedicated display in the dynamic information pane 20 by selecting the corresponding filter to filter the list of entity data accordingly. The list of entity data can also be filtered using an inclusive combination of every activity in the site wide activities group by selecting the site wide filter. In this case, and referring specifically to Fig. 2, the entity data associated with the site wide filter corresponds to entity data filtered using the online filter, the popular member filter, the new member filter and the new public image filter will be prepared and selectively displayed in the dynamic information pane 20

In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the site wide activities group is not limited to the activities described above, but may include any suitable activity to be performed in the website by the members. For example, the site wide activities group may include a media activity (not shown) corresponding to newly -received entity data displayed in the dynamic information pane 20 that is associated with such media as videos/tubes or audio segments, 20 and selected for dedicated display in the dynamic information pane 20 by selecting a corresponding media filter (not shown). In this example, the entity data may be displayed in the dynamic information pane 20 with a dedicated icon (not shown) associated with the type of media, such as a film strip icon for a video or tube, or a musical note for an audio segment, or the entity data may be displayed with an image or icon of the member's choosing. It will also be appreciated that the predetermined list of members is not limited to a list of popular members, but other predetermined lists of members may be introduced to the dynamic information pane 20. In one example, the predetermined list of members could be a list of most active members, namely, members who have actively used the website the most.

In the first embodiment, a second activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a profile wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a profile filter corresponding to a member profile activity, the member profile activity relating to every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website. The profile wide activities group comprises a tracks activity, chat request activity, message activity, and a favourites activity. The tracks activity is an activity that indicates when other members of the website view the member profile page of the user and corresponds to the tracks filter. The chat request activity is an activity that indicates when other members send a chat request to the user and corresponds to a chat request filter. The message activity is an activity that indicates when other members send a message to the user and corresponds to a message filter. In this case, and referring specifically to Fig. 2, the entity data associated with the profile wide filter corresponds to entity data filtered using the tracks filter, the chat request filter, the message filter, and the favourites filter, and will be prepared and selectively displayed in the dynamic information pane 20 within a particular timeframe.

The favourites activity is an activity performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user, the preferred list of members being a subset of the total members of the website. In this embodiment, all members in the preferred list of members are favourite members of the user, where each favourite member is selected by the user. The favourites activity corresponds to a favourite filter.

In this embodiment, any one of the activities described in the profile wide activities group may filter the list of entity data prepared for display by selecting the corresponding filter. The list of entity data can also be filtered using an inclusive combination of every activity in the profile wide activities group by selecting the profile filter.

In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the profile wide activities group is not limited to the activities described above, but may include any suitable activity performed in the website by the members. For example, the profile wide activities group may include a media activity (not shown) corresponding to newly-received entity data displayed in the dynamic information pane 20 that is associated with such media as videos/tubes or audio segments, and selected for dedicated display in the dynamic information pane 20 by selecting a corresponding media filter (not shown). In this example, the entity data may be displayed in the dynamic information pane 20 with a dedicated icon (not shown) associated with the type of media, such as a film strip icon for a video or tube, or a musical note for an audio segment, or the entity data may be displayed with an image or icon of the member's choosing. It will also be appreciated that the preferred list of members is not limited to a list of favourite members, but other preferred lists of members may be selected by the user for display in the dynamic information pane 20. In one example, the preferred list of members could be a list of blocked members, whereby the blocked members in the list of blocked members are prevented from sending chat requests or messages to the user. It will also be appreciated that the message filter is not limited to filtering messages according to those messages sent to the user by other members, but may also be filtered according to messages sent by the user to other members. In this case, the message filter will be configured with a message subfilter (not shown) to filter the messages according to those received and those sent by the user.

Likewise, it will be appreciated that the favourites filter may be configured with one or more favourites subfilters (not shown) to filter the favourites activity according to possible subactivities performed by members of the preferred list of members. For example, the favourites subactivities could include a favourites log on subfilter (not shown) to indicate when, and for that matter how many times, a member of the preferred list of members signs in to the website, a favourites upload subfilter (not shown) to indicate when a member of the preferred list of members has uploaded a new member image 90.

While this embodiment describes just two subgroups of possible activities, it will be appreciated that the group of activities may comprise several subgroups of possible activities.

In the first embodiment, the dynamic information pane 20 comprises a plurality of member display areas 110, each member display area 110 being adapted to display any one or more of the information associated with the member described in the preceding paragraphs. In this embodiment, the member display area 110 is adapted to display the member image 90 and member identification 100 of each entity data of one list portion, and comprising two user- selectable icons.

A first of the two user-selectable icons is a delete button 120 for removing the corresponding member display area 110 from the dynamic information pane 20 when selected. This allows the user to be able to remove the member display area 110 displaying undesired entity data.

A second of the two user -selectable icons is a member information button 130 for opening the member profile page of the member of the corresponding member display area 110 when selected. This allows the user to be directed to the member profile page related to the entity data displayed in the corresponding member display area 110, thereby providing a convenient link to each member profile page of the website.

In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the number of user-selectable icons is not limited to just the two user-selectable icons described in the preceding paragraphs, but that any suitable number of user- selectable icons may be employed in the member display area 110.

Each member display area 110 of the plurality of member display areas 110 further comprises a status indicator 140 associated with the member, the status indicator 140 indicating the online status of the member. This allows the user to view the status of each member related to an entity data of the list portion displayed. This is beneficial as the user can determine when a member is available to, for example, chat.

In another embodiment, the one or more user-selectable icons may be configured to perform other functions. For example, one of the one or more user- selectable icons could be a block button (not shown) to block the corresponding member from performing an activity towards the user. In this example, the blocked member could be added to the list of blocked members, whereby the blocked members in the list of blocked members are prevented from, for example, sending chat requests or messages to the user. In another example, at least one of the one or more user-selectable icons may be configured such that when selected by the user, the at least one user-selectable icon directs the user to a webpage other than the member profile page. For instance, the at least one user-selectable icon may be a hyperlink to another website, activated by the user by clicking, rolling over, or hovering over the icon. For example, the hyperlink may be a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) element or graphic. In another example, the at least one user-selectable icon displayed on the member display area 110 may be a newly uploaded image, video/ tube, or audio segment, such that when the user selects the at least one user-selectable icon, the user is directed to, for example, a media page (not shown) associated with the member, and comprising one or more images, videos/ tubes, or audio segments uploaded by the member to the media page which the user is able to access and play. In this example, the media page may be a separate webpage to the member profile page or may be, for example, a part of the member profile page. It will be appreciated that each member may be granted an amount of personal storage space on a database associated with the website to enable the one or more media segments to be stored in the media page. Alternatively, the one or more images, videos/ tubes, or audio segments may be HTML elements or graphics, which when selected by the user, will direct the user to the corresponding location, for example, another website, FTP location, or file location, to enable the user to access the images, videos/ tubes, or audio segments. Alternatively, the media may be accessed by the user and played as an attribute overlay (not shown) over the webpage being viewed. In this example, when the user clicks, hovers or rolls a cursor over the corresponding user- selectable icon, the attribute overlay is displayed partially or fully over the webpage, and plays the media automatically, or presents the user with one or more user- selectable media buttons (not shown), such as, for example, PLAY, PAUSE, STOP, VOLUME, MUTE , ZOOM (e.g. 2x, 4x or 8x magnification), such that the user can then activate and control the media. It will be appreciated that the attribute overlay function may be applied to any one of a number of user-selectable actions, including, but not limited to, opening a new webpage, such as a browser tab, screen, or window, or opening a member profile page, or opening a new website entirely. In this case, the attribute overlay may comprise one or more user- selectable icons (not shown) to perform certain actions with respect to the webpage or website in the attribute overlay. For example, the attribute overlay may comprise a ZOOM button to increase or decrease the size of the member image 90, webpage or member profile page being viewed.

In another embodiment, the one or more user-selectable icons may be just a single icon, which, when the user rolls a cursor over the icon, reveals an actions context menu (not shown) presenting one or more actions (not shown) for selection. The actions context menu is preferably displayed in proximity to the corresponding member display area 110. The one or more actions may be activated by the user placing the cursor on or over the desired action and clicking a designated key on a keyboard or pressing a button on a mouse to select the action, or alternatively using a touch screen to place the cursor on or over the action and the user selecting the action with, for example, their finger or a stylus. Once selected, it will be appreciated that the user may be taken to a corresponding webpage of the website associated with the selected action, such as the member profile page, or may be taken to a completely different website via an appropriate HTML link, such as, for example, a member's own personal website or a website recommended by the member. Alternatively, it will also be appreciated that once selected, the corresponding webpage of the website associated with the selected action may be displayed in the attribute overlay. The one or more actions may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of the following actions: chat request, send message, add to favourites, delete entity, block member.

In another embodiment, one or more user- selectable icons or the status indicator 140 in the member display area 110 may comprise an attribute overlay (not shown), such that when the user hovers or rolls the cursor over the corresponding icon, the attribute overlay is displayed, for example, in proximity to the corresponding the member display area 110, providing relevant information relating to the selected icon. In one example, if the user hovers or rolls over the status indicator 140 of a member that is 'offline', the corresponding attribute overlay could be displayed showing the time when the member was last online. In another example, where only the member image 90 is displayed in the member display area 110, the member image 90 can be an attribute overlay such that in use, the user can hover or roll the cursor over the attribute overlay to reveal the member identification 100 or any other information associated with the member. In yet another example, the attribute overlay can be applied to any messages received from a member, such that in use, the user can hover or roll the cursor over the message to display the content of the message. In a preferred embodiment, the dynamic information pane 20 is constantly present on the plurality of webpages of the website. In other embodiments, the dynamic information pane 20 may be optionally displayed on the plurality of webpages of the website. For example, the website may comprise an ON/OFF button (not shown) to switch the dynamic information pane 20 'ON' or 'OFF' . Alternatively, the website may comprise a MINIMIZE/MAXIMIZE button (not shown) to minimize the dynamic information pane 20 when not required by the user, and maximized when required. This will be useful in cases where maybe a display screen for computing device (such as a mobile phone) is too small to view the plurality of webpages of the website effectively, such that minimizing the dynamic information pane 20 enables a greater area for the plurality of webpages to be displayed. In this case, it will be appreciated that when the dynamic information pane 20 is minimized, it can be configured such that in use, the user is able to hover or roll the cursor over the minimized dynamic information pane 20 to temporarily or permanently maximize the dynamic information pane 20 to view the entity data. The dynamic information pane 20 may also be configured such that in use, hovering or rolling over the dynamic information pane 20 will cause the dynamic information pane 20 to slide from one part of the webpage in view to another, to fade in or out of the webpage, or to partially or fully overlay the webpage. It will be appreciated that the display of the dynamic information pane 20 is not limited to those configurations described above, but may be displayed within the plurality of webpages of the website according to any suitable configuration.

In another embodiment, the website may be configured to display the dynamic information pane 20 only when new entity data is received. In one example, the dynamic information pane 20 will be displayed for a sufficient length of time for the user to acknowledge that new entity data has been received. The activity associated with the new entity data may be colour -coded, so that the user can easily identify the type of new entity data received. In another example, an icon (not shown) may be displayed on the webpage, such as in the Taskbar, to indicate that new entity data has been received. The icon may be colour-coded according to activity so that the user can easily identify the type of new entity data received.

In another embodiment, the dynamic information pane 20 may be one or more dynamic information panes 20, wherein each dynamic information pane 20 displays entity data in an order corresponding to the newness data according to a particular subgroup of activities within the group of activities. In one example, one of the one or more dynamic information panes 20 displays site-wide activities and another one of the one or more dynamic information panes 20 displays profile-wide activities. In this case, the entity data associated with the site- wide activities comprises entity data listed in chronological order for the online activity, the new member's activity, the new public image activity, and the popular member's activity. It will be appreciated that the entity data for the online activity, the new member's activity, the new public image activity, and the popular member's activity can be listed altogether in the one dynamic information pane 20, or the pane 20 can comprises one or more tabs (not shown) corresponding to the online activity, the new member's activity, the new public image activity, and the popular member's activity, such that in use, the entity data associated with these activities will be displayed under each designated tab.

In another embodiment, new entity data may be displayed on the plurality of webpages of the website as a ticker-tape scrolling display (not shown) comprising, for example, the ticker-tape scrolling display comprising one or more lines, where each line is adapted for displaying entity data in an order corresponding to the newness data according to a particular activity or subgroup of activities within the group of activities.

In another embodiment, members of the website may be categorized according to access rights to certain data, such that in use, only members with sufficient access rights will be able to view certain entity data. For example, the user may be restricted from accessing certain information related to the member they wish to obtain entity data about. In this case, rather than receiving the restricted additional entity data, the user may instead be presented with a default image or icon (not shown). Alternatively, the user may be presented with an image or icon that they can select to initiate an upgrade procedure (not shown) to upgrade their status to a level whereby they can access the restricted entity data. It will be appreciated that in this instance, the user may be presented with a chance to upgrade their status through payment via, for example, a payment webpage (not shown) on the website.

In another embodiment, members of the website may be categorized according to access rights to certain filters, such that in use, only members with sufficient access rights will be able to select certain filters from the filter selection means 70. For example, the user may be restricted from selecting the popular member's filter. In this case, when the user attempts to select this filter, rather than performing the filter's function it will instead present the user with an image or icon that they can select to initiate an upgrade procedure to upgrade their status to a level whereby they can select the restricted filter. It will be appreciated that in this instance, the user may be presented with a chance to upgrade their status through payment via, for example, a payment webpage (not shown) on the website.

In another embodiment, the method 10 does not divide the list of entity data into list portions and instead prepares the entire list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane 20. The method 10, in this embodiment, comprises only three steps. The first step (not shown) of the method 10 involves querying the log database 40 for the list of logs wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database 40 as a function of the newness data. The second step (not shown) of the method 10 involves ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane 20, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus preparing the list of entity data. The third step (not shown) of the method 10 involves repeating the first to second steps, thereby constantly updating the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane 20.

The method 10 of preparing the list portions of the list of entity data, for display in the dynamic information pane 20 provides a number of advantages, including:

1. The entity data of each entity of the list of entities which performs an activity is formed as a list of entity data in chronological order and the list of entity data is divided into list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20 on the webpages. This is beneficial as only portions of the list of entity data needed to be displayed are displayed on the dynamic information pane 20.

2. Each of the list portions is substantially smaller in size than the list of entity data and thus substantially increases the speed by which the entity data may be displayed in the dynamic information page 20.

3. The list portions are continually refreshed automatically for display in the dynamic information pane 20 to provide always updated list portions.

4. The dynamic information pane 20 is integral with each webpage of the plurality of webpages of the website and does not need to be installed as a separate toolbar, web browser plug-in, desktop application, or other installed application. This is beneficial as the dynamic information pane 20 is platform independent such that there is no need to write a separate install for the browser application. This is also beneficial as the dynamic information pane 20 is sandboxed within the security context of the browser application such that there is no need for users to request permission to install the dynamic information pane 20 into the browser or computing device or open ports in the firewall, set up firewall application rules, or manage anti-virus software installed on the computing device, for the dynamic information pane 20 to have internet access.

5. Activity data is generated by an entity interacting with the website.

6. Each log indicates which activity was performed by the entity to create the log.

7. The user can conveniently filter the list of entity data that is divided into the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20.

8. The user can filter the list of entity data according to the activity performed by any of the entities within the list of entities.

9. The selected filter persists throughout the user browsing session, or until such time as the user selects another filter.

10. The list of entity data can be filtered to substantially reduce its size and thus substantially increase the speed by which the list of entity is divided into the list portions and displayed in the dynamic information pane 20.

11. The activities from the group of activities can be further classified into at least two subgroups of possible activities. This is beneficial as related and/or similar activities can be grouped together into distinct subgroups.

12. The site wide filter allows the list of entity data to be filtered to allow the list portions to display every activity in the site wide activities group performed by members of the website. This is beneficial as the user can conveniently monitor every activity in the site wide activities group performed by members of the website.

13. The profile wide filter allows the list of entity data to be filtered to allow the list portions to display every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website. This is beneficial as the user can conveniently monitor every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by particular members of the website.

14. The list of entity data can be filtered by an activity performed only by a member of a predetermined list of members. This is beneficial as, the user can conveniently monitor activities performed by members of the predetermined list of members.

15. The list of entity data can be filtered by an activity performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user. This is beneficial as, the user can conveniently monitor activities performed by members of the preferred list of members.

16. The member display 110 areas allow entity data corresponding to members of the website to be displayed in the corresponding member display area 110 in the dynamic information pane 20.

17. Each member display area 110 provides two user- selectable icons that when selected, perform a certain function with respect to the corresponding member display area 110 and/or enable the user to be redirected to other webpages related to the entity data displayed in the corresponding member display area 110.

18. The user can remove a member display area 110 displaying undesired entity data.

19. The user can be directed to a member profile page related to the entity data displayed in the corresponding member display area 110, thereby providing the user with a convenient link to each member profile page in the website.

20. The user can view the online status of each member related to an entity data of the list portions displayed in the dynamic information pane 20.

Referring to Fig. 4, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 2000 adapted for displaying the list potions of the list of entity data of the first embodiment in a dynamic information pane 20 of the first embodiment. The system 2000 comprises a computer 2010 and six client terminals 2020. Although it is shown in Fig. 4 that there are six client terminals 2020, it will be appreciated that there could be any number of client terminals 2020.

The computer 2010 is adapted for preparing the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20, comprising a processor 2030, computer readable memory 2040 and an entity data communication means 2080. The computer readable memory 2040 is operatively connected to the processor 2030 and stores a computer readable code 2060. The computer readable code 2060 carries out computer executable steps comprising the first 30, second 50, third 55 and fourth 60 steps of the method 10, as shown in Fig. 1 of the first embodiment.

The entity data communication means is operatively connected to the processor 2030 such that when the computer readable code 2060 is run by the processor 2030, the list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane 20 and made retrievable through the entity data communication means 2080. In this embodiment, the computer 2010 acts as a server which hosts the stored computer readable code 2060.

Each of the client terminals 2020 comprises a display 2065 for displaying the dynamic information pane 20 and is adapted to retrieve a list portion and display in the dynamic information pane 20 from the computer 2010 through the entity data communication means 2080 by a remote connection. In this embodiment the entity data communication means 2080 of the computer 2010 is a network card that is operatively connected to the processor 2030 and the remote connection is the internet 1010. In other embodiments, there are two or more network cards. The internet 1010 allows the user to retrieve the prepared list portion in any location that has access to the internet 1010. It will be appreciated that the remote connection is not limited to being the internet 1010 but may be an intranet which uses the same internet protocol technologies but on a private network. It will be appreciated that the client terminals 2020 may be any electronic device that is capable of connecting to the internet 1010 and having a processor (not shown) and computer memory (not shown) to render the list portion retrieved from the computer 2010 through the entity data communication means 2080 via the internet 1010 for displaying on the display 2065, such as but not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet or slate, a mobile phone, a television, a gaming console.

It will be appreciated that when the user wants to display entity data of the list of entity data that is not in the retrieved list portion, the client terminals 2020 will automatically retrieve another list portion having the specific entity data. For example, in this embodiment, the client terminal 2020 retrieves another list portion when the user scrolls past the end of the currently displayed list portion in the dynamic information pane 20. In other embodiments, the dynamic information pane 20 comprises user selectable buttons which, when selected by the user, make the client terminal 2020 retrieve another list potion. It will also be appreciated that the client terminals 2020 caches the retrieved list portions such that all retrieved list portions may be displayed again without having to retrieve again.

In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the one or more log databases 40 are not limited to being in direct communication with the processor 2030 of the computer 2010 as centralized log databases 40 as shown in Fig. 4, but may be distributed over a network such as the internet 1010, or an intranet.

In other embodiments, the client terminals 2020 retrieve more than one list portion for display in the dynamic information pane 20.

The system 2000 adapted for displaying the list portions of the list of entity data provides a number of advantages, including:

1. Users are able to remotely access and view the list portions prepared for display in the dynamic information pane 20 via a client terminal 2020.

2. The client terminal 2020 does not retrieve the entire list of entity data but only one list portion which substantially increases the speed of the retrieval.

3. The network card enables the computer 2010 to access the internet and upload data, such as the list portions, to the website for display in the dynamic information pane 20.

4. Users have remote access to the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20 wherever there is access to the internet. Referring to Fig 5, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 3000 adapted for displaying the list portions of the list of entity data of the first embodiment in a dynamic information pane 20 of the first embodiment. The system 3000 comprises two connected computers 3010 and the six client terminals 2020 of the second embodiment. Although it is shown in Fig. 5 that there are two connected computers 3010 and six client terminals 2020, it will be appreciated that there could be any number of connected computers 3010 and client terminals 2020.

The connected computers 3010 are adapted for preparing the list portions of the first embodiment for display in the dynamic information pane 20. Each of the connected computers 3010 comprises the processor 2030 of the second embodiment and computer readable memory 3020. The computer readable memory 3020 is operatively connected to the processor 2030 and storing a component 3030 of the computer readable code 2060 of the second embodiment. The components 3030 of the computer readable code 2060 of the connected computers 3010 perform the same steps as the computer readable code 2060. This is beneficial as connected computers 3010 each process components 3030 of the computer readable code 2060 together to increase the throughput of preparing the list portions, allowing the list portions to be updated in a timely fashion. In this embodiment, the connected computers 3010 are connected remotely via, for example, the internet 1010 or the intranet. In other embodiments, the connected computers 3010 are connected locally via a physical connection, for example, an Ethernet cable. In this embodiment, the connected computers 3010 act as a series of servers which host the stored components 3030 of computer readable code 2060.

In this embodiment, at least one of the connected computers 3010 comprises the entity data communication means 2080 of the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane 20 of the plurality of webpages of the website by the at least one of the connected computers 3010. In this case, the entity data for display corresponds to, for example, the member identification 100 text string of the entity. The client terminals 2020 retrieve a list portion for display in the dynamic information pane 20 from the at least one of the connected computers 3010 which comprise the entity data communication means 2080 by the remote connection of the second embodiment, and the client terminals 2020 render each entity data in the list portion and the rendered entity data is then used in a request by the client terminals 2020 to obtain additional data associated with the rendered entity data, such as, for example, the member image 90 and member information 100 of the corresponding entity to be made available for retrieval by the client terminals 2020 for display in the dynamic information pane 20. It will be appreciated that each request by the client terminals 2020 for the initial, additional and subsequent entity data includes an authentication code (not shown) corresponding to and comprising information related to the user. If the request is performed over the internet 1010, the authentication code can be an authentication cookie, or it may form part of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) when cookies are turned off in the browser on the client terminals 2020, or be a hidden form field that gets posted with the request, or a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) header, a network adapters Media Access Control ID (MAC Address) or unique machine or device ID. For example, the user may be restricted from accessing certain information related to the member they wish to obtain entity data about. In this case, rather than receiving the restricted additional entity data, the user may instead be presented with a default image or icon. Alternatively, the user may be presented with an image or icon that they can select to initiate an upgrade procedure to upgrade their status to a level whereby they can access the restricted entity data. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the one or more log databases 40 are not limited to being in direct communication with the processors 2030 of the connected computers 3010 as centralized log databases 40 as shown in Fig. 5, but may be distributed over a network such as the internet 1010, or an intranet.

Referring to Fig 6, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 4000 adapted for displaying the list portions of the first embodiment in a dynamic information pane 20 of the first embodiment. The system 4000 comprises a computer 4010 and six client terminals 4020. Although it is shown in Fig. 6 that there are six client terminals 4020, it will be appreciated that there could be any number of client terminals 4020.

The computer 4010 is adapted for preparing the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20, comprising a processor 4030, computer readable memory 4040, an entity data communication means and data receiving means. The computer readable memory 4040 is operatively connected to the processor 4030 and stores a computer readable code 4050. The computer readable code 4050 carries out computer executable steps comprising all the steps of the method 10, referring specifically to Fig. 3, of the first embodiment.

The entity data communication means is operatively connected to the processor 4030 such that when the computer readable code 4050 is run by the processor 4030, the list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane 20 and made retrievable through the entity data communication means. The data receiving means is operatively connected to the processor 4030 and adapted to receive the user input data 85 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the computer 4010 acts as a server which hosts the stored computer readable code 4050.

Each of the client terminals 4020 comprises a display 4060 for displaying the dynamic information pane 20 and is adapted to retrieve a list portion and display in the dynamic information pane 20 from the computer 4010 through the entity data communication means by a remote connection. Each of the client terminals 4020 further comprises a data input means for receiving the user input data 85 from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input to the computer 4010 via the data receiving means by the remote connection. It will be appreciated that the data input means may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard 4062, mouse 4065, or touch screen (not shown) or thought processing headset (not shown) or motion gesture device (not shown).

In this embodiment, the entity data communication means and the data receiving means of the computer 4010 are one network card, given the general reference numeral 4070, that is operatively connected to the processor 4030 and the remote connection is the internet 1010. In other embodiments, there are more than one network card. The internet 1010 allows the user to retrieve the prepared list portion and send the user input in any location that has access to the internet 1010. It will be appreciated that the remote connection is not limited to being the internet 1010 but may be an intranet which uses the same internet protocol technologies but on a private network. It will be appreciated that the client terminals 4020 may be any electronic device that is capable of connecting to the internet 1010, and having a processor (not shown) and computer memory (not shown) to render the list portion retrieved from the computer 2010 through the entity data communication means 2080 via the internet 1010 for displaying on the display 4060, and data input means, such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet or slate, a mobile phone, a television, a gaming console. It will be appreciated that when the user wants to display entity data of the list of entity data that is not in the retrieved list portion, the client terminals 4020 will automatically retrieve another list portion having the specific entity data. For example, in this embodiment, the client terminal 4020 retrieves another list portion when the user scrolls past the end of the currently displayed list portion in the dynamic information pane 20. In other embodiments, the dynamic information pane 20 comprises user selectable buttons which, when selected by the user, make the client terminal 4020 retrieve another list potion. It will also be appreciated that the client terminals 4020 caches the retrieved list portions such that all retrieved list portions may be displayed again without having to retrieve again.

In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the one or more log databases 40 are not limited to being in direct communication with the processor 4030 of the computer 4010 as centralized log databases 40 as shown in Fig. 6, but may be distributed over a network such as the internet 1010, or an intranet.

In other embodiments, the client terminals 4020 retrieve more than one list portion for display in the dynamic information pane 20.

The system 4000 adapted for displaying the list portions of the list of entity data provides a number of advantages, including:

1. Users are able to remotely access and view the list portions prepared for display in the dynamic information pane 20 via a client terminal 4020.

2. Users are able to remotely send user input data to select a desired filter to the computer via a client terminal 4020.

3. Users have remote access to the list portions for display in the dynamic information pane 20 wherever there is access to the internet.

4. Users can send user input data to select a desired filter to the computer 4010 via a client terminal 4020 wherever there is access to the internet.

5. The network card enables the computer 4010 to access the internet and upload data, such as the list portions, to the website for display in the dynamic information pane 20, and receive data, such as the user input data, sent from the client terminals 4020.

Referring to Fig 7, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 5000 adapted for displaying the list portions of the first embodiment in a dynamic information pane 20 of the first embodiment. The system 5000 comprises two connected computers 5010 and the six client terminals 4020 of the fourth embodiment. Although it is shown in Fig. 7 that there are two connected computers 5010 and six client terminals 4020, it will be appreciated that there could be any number of connected computers 5010 and client terminals 4020.

The connected computers 5010 are adapted for preparing the list portions of the first embodiment for display in the dynamic information pane 20 of the first embodiment. Each of the connected computers 5010 comprises the processor 4030 of the fourth embodiment and computer readable memory 5020. The computer readable memory 5020 is operatively connected to the processor 4030 and storing a component 5030 of the computer readable code 4050 of the fourth embodiment. The components 5030 of the computer readable code 4050 of the connected computers 5010 perform the same steps as the whole computer readable code 4050. This is beneficial as the connected computers 5010 each process components 5030 of the computer readable code 4050 together to increase the throughput of preparing the list portions, allowing the list portions to be updated in a timely fashion. In this embodiment, the connected computers 5010 are connected remotely via, for example, the internet 1010 or the intranet. In other embodiments, the connected computers 5010 are connected locally via a physical connection, for example an Ethernet cable. In this embodiment, the connected computers 5010 act as a series of servers which host the stored components 5030 of computer readable code 4050.

In this embodiment, at least one of the connected computers 5010 comprises the entity data communication means and data receiving means, given the general reference numeral 4070, of the fourth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the client terminals 4020 retrieve a list portion for display in the dynamic information pane 20 from the at least one of the connected computers 5010 which comprise the entity data communication means by the remote connection of the second embodiment. The client terminals 4020 also send the user input data 85 of the fourth embodiment from a respective user to the at least one of the connected computers 5010 which comprise the data receiving means 4070 by the remote connection of the fourth embodiment.

In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the one or more log databases 40 are not limited to being in direct communication with the processors 4030 of the connected computers 5010 as centralized log databases 40 as shown in Fig. 7, but may be distributed over a network such as the internet 1010, or an intranet. Interpretation

In this specification, the word "browser" or "web browser" refers to any type of software application used for accessing web pages of a website or any other information on a network.

Wireless:

The invention may be embodied using devices conforming to other network standards and for other applications, including, for example other WLAN standards and other wireless standards. Applications that can be accommodated include IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs and links, and wireless Ethernet.

In the context of this document, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. In the context of this document, the term "wired" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices are coupled by electrically conductive wires. Wireless communication may also be achieved via wireless mobile or satellite communication means.

Processes:

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

Processor:

In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors.

The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer -readable (also called machine -readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM.

Computer-Readable Medium:

Furthermore, a computer -readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein.

Networked or Multiple Processors:

In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server -client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer -readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

Additional Embodiments:

Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer - readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer- readable carrier medium. The computer -readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer -readable program code embodied in the medium.

Carrier Medium:

The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.

Implementation:

It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer -readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

Means For Carrying out a Method or Function

Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

Connected

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Embodiments:

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the web industry, for example web designing, web developing, and creation industries.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A method of preparing a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising the steps of:

(iii) repeating steps (i) to (ii).

2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each log further comprises an activity data indicative of the activity performed by the entity which created the log.

3. The method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, the method further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected; and before step (ii): filtering the list of logs as a function of the activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

4. The method as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each entity of the list of entities is a member of the website, and one member of the website is the user.

5. The method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the group of activities comprises at least two subgroups of possible activities and the activity performed by the member is chosen from one of the at least two subgroups of possible activities.

6. The method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a first activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a site wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a site wide filter corresponding to a site wide activity, the site wide activity relating to every activity in the site wide activities group performed by the members of the website.

7. The method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a second activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a profile wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a profile filter corresponding to a member profile activity, the member profile activity relating to every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website.

8. The method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a predetermined list of members, the predetermined list of members being a subset of the total members of the website.

9. The method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user, the preferred list of members being a subset of the total members of the website.

10. The method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a plurality of member display areas, each member display area being adapted to display an entity data of the list of entity data and comprising one or more user-selectable icons.

11. The method as claimed in Claim 10, wherein one of the one or more user -selectable icons is a delete button for removing the corresponding member display area from the dynamic information pane when selected.

12. The method as claimed in Claim 10, wherein one of the one or more user -selectable icons is a member information button for opening a member profile page corresponding to the member when selected.

13. The method as claimed in Claim 10, wherein each member display area of the plurality of member display areas further comprises a status indicator associated with the member, the status indicator indicating the online status of the member.

14. Computer executable steps for preparing a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising steps of:

(iii) repeating steps (i) to (ii).

15. Computer executable steps as claimed in Claim 14, wherein each log further comprises an activity data indicative of the activity performed by the entity which created the log.

16. Computer executable steps as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, further comprising the steps of, before step (i): - receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected; and before step (ii): filtering the list of logs as a function of activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

17. Computer readable code for carrying out the computer executable steps of Claim 14 when run on a computer.

18. A computer adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of Claim 17; and an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

19. A system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the computer of Claim 18; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the computer through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

20. A system as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the entity data communication means is one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

21. Two or more connected computers adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising:

a processor; and

computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of Claim 17, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of claim 17, wherein at least one of the two or more computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

22. A system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the two or more connected computers of Claim 21; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

23. A system as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the entity data communication means is one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

24. Computer readable code for carrying out the computer executable steps of Claim 16 when run on a computer.

25. A computer adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: - a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of Claim 24; an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means; and a data receiving means operatively connected to the processor and adapted to receive the user input data.

26. A system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the computer of Claim 25; and

27. A system as claimed in Claim 26, wherein the entity data communication means and the data receiving means are one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

28. Two or more connected computers adapted for preparing a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising:

a processor; and

computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of Claim 24, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of claim 24,

wherein at least one of the two or more connected computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the list of entity data is prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made accessible through the entity data communication means, and

29. A system adapted for displaying a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the two or more connected computers of Claim 28; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve the list of entity data for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection, each of the one or more client terminals further comprising data input means for receiving the user input data from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input data to the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the data receiving means by the remote connection.

30. A system as claimed in Claim 29, wherein the entity data communication means and the data receiving means are one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

31. A method of preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising the steps of: (i) querying one or more log databases for a list of logs, each log being created by one of the entities when the entity performs an activity from a group of activities and comprising an entity identifier indicative of the entity which created the log and a newness data indicative of when the log was created, wherein the list of logs is selected from the logs in the log database as a function of the newness data;

(ii) ordering, for display in the dynamic information pane, the entity data associated with the entities identified by the entity identifier of each of the logs in the list of logs in an order corresponding to the newness data thus forming the list of entity data;

(iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii).

32. The method as claimed in Claim 31, wherein each log further comprises an activity data indicative of the activity performed by the entity which created the log.

33. The method as claimed in Claim 32, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, the method further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected; and before step (ii): filtering the list of logs as a function of the activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

34. The method as claimed in Claim 33, wherein each entity of the list of entities is a member of the website, and one member of the website is the user.

35. The method as claimed in Claim 34, wherein the group of activities comprises at least two subgroups of possible activities and the activity performed by the member is chosen from one of the at least two subgroups of possible activities.

36. The method as claimed in Claim 35, wherein a first activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a site wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a site wide filter corresponding to a site wide activity, the site wide activity relating to every activity in the site wide activities group performed by the members of the website.

37. The method as claimed in Claim 35, wherein a second activity subgroup of the at least two subgroups of possible activities is a profile wide activities group and at least one of the plurality of filters is a profile filter corresponding to a member profile activity, the member profile activity relating to every activity in the profile wide activities group performed by the members of the website.

38. The method as claimed in Claim 34, wherein one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a predetermined list of members, the predetermined list of members being a subset of the total members of the website.

39. The method as claimed in Claim 34, wherein one or more activities in the group of activities are activities performed by a member of a preferred list of members selected by the user, the preferred list of members being a subset of the total members of the website.

40. The method as claimed in Claim 34, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a plurality of member display areas, each member display area being adapted to display an entity data of at least one of the one or more list portions and comprising one or more user- selectable icons.

41. The method as claimed in Claim 40, wherein one of the one or more user -selectable icons is a delete button for removing the corresponding member display area from the dynamic information pane when selected.

42. The method as claimed in Claim 40, wherein one of the one or more user -selectable icons is a member information button for opening a member profile page corresponding to the member when selected.

43. The method as claimed in Claim 40, wherein each member display area of the plurality of member display areas further comprises a status indicator associated with the member, the status indicator indicating the online status of the member.

44. Computer executable steps for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data, each entity data associated with an entity of a list of entities, for display in a dynamic information pane on a plurality of webpages of a website during a user browsing session, comprising steps of:

(iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii).

45. Computer executable steps as claimed in Claim 44, wherein each log further comprises an activity data indicative of the activity performed by the entity which created the log.

46. Computer executable steps as claimed in Claim 45, wherein the dynamic information pane comprises a filter selection means for allowing the user to select a filter from a plurality of filters, the filter corresponding to an activity within the group of activities, further comprising the steps of, before step (i): receiving from the user, a user input data corresponding to the filter selected; and before step (ii): - filtering the list of logs as a function of activity data associated with the activity corresponding to the filter selected.

47. Computer readable code for carrying out the computer executable steps of Claim 44 when run on a computer.

48. A computer adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of Claim 47; and an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

49. A system adapted for displaying one or more list portions of a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the computer of Claim 48; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the computer through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

50. A system as claimed in Claim 49, wherein the entity data communication means is one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

51. Two or more connected computers adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising:

a processor; and

computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of Claim 47, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of claim 47, wherein at least one of the two or more computers comprises an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the components of the computer readable code are run by the respective processors, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means.

52. A system adapted for displaying one or more list portions of a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the two or more connected computers of Claim 51 ; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection.

53. A system as claimed in Claim 52, wherein the entity data communication means is one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

54. Computer readable code for carrying out the computer executable steps of Claim 46 when run on a computer.

55. A computer adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, comprising: - a processor; computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing the computer readable code of Claim 54; an entity data communication means operatively connected to the processor such that when the computer readable code is run by the processor, the one or more list portions are prepared for display in the dynamic information pane and made retrievable through the entity data communication means; and a data receiving means operatively connected to the processor and adapted to receive the user input data.

56. A system adapted for displaying one or more list portions of a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the computer of Claim 55; and

57. A system as claimed in Claim 56, wherein the entity data communication means and the data receiving means are one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.

58. Two or more connected computers adapted for preparing one or more list portions of a list of entity data for display in a dynamic information pane, each computer comprising:

a processor; and

computer readable memory operatively connected to the processor and storing a component of the computer readable code of Claim 54, the components of the computer readable code of the two or more connected computers performing the same steps as the computer readable code of claim 54,

59. A system adapted for displaying one or more list portions of a list of entity data in a dynamic information pane, comprising:

the two or more connected computers of Claim 58; and

one or more client terminals, each of the one or more client terminals comprising a display for displaying the dynamic information pane and being adapted to retrieve at least one of the one or more list portions for display in the dynamic information pane from the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the entity data communication means by a remote connection, each of the one or more client terminals further comprising data input means for receiving the user input data from a respective user and being adapted to send the user input data to the at least one of the two or more connected computers through the data receiving means by the remote connection.

60. A system as claimed in Claim 59, wherein the entity data communication means and the data receiving means are one or more network cards and the remote connection is the internet.