Method for revising and/or improving electronic compilations

Abstract

Electronically published compilations are provided. The compilations typically include a plurality of incumbent entries that are subject to replacement by candidate revisions through successive elections by an electorate of voters, e.g., human voters. Also provided are methods for improving existing compilations through elections. Election rules, history, dates and times, and election results may provide a measure of quality of the winning revision. Such compilations, when properly designed and implemented, may be viewed as an authoritative reference work that may ultimately serve as a “Rosetta Stone” for a semantic web.

1 . A method for altering a compilation of preexisting electronically published entries, comprising subjecting each entry of the compilation to replacement by successive revisions as determined by successive elections at a predetermined election frequency of an electorate of voters having access to predetermined election rules,
 wherein each entry is replaced with a winning candidate revision of an election according to a count of votes cast and a predetermined winning criterion, and the predetermined election frequency is selected to allow the electorate sufficient time to have an opportunity to review the incumbent entry, any submitted candidate revision and election rules before voting.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving campaign materials pertaining to the incumbent entries and/or candidate revisions during a predetermined campaign period, wherein the campaign period occurs at least in part before at least some voters of the electorate is allowed to vote. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising testing each voter of the electorate to determine whether each voter is human. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein testing is performed before the voter is allowed to vote. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising testing whether a submitter of a candidate revision is human. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein testing is performed before the candidate revision is allowed to be voted on. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each voter has an identical voting power. 
     
     
         8 . The compilation of  claim 7 , wherein no election for any entry is held more than once in any continuous 24 hour period. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rewarding the voters for voting. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rewarding a submitter for submitting a candidate revision. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising rewarding a submitter for submitting a winning candidate revision. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising removing harmful material from the compilation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising ranking a plurality of websites according to how well the websites comport with historical vote counts, candidate revisions, and/or winning entries.