Graphical indications of characteristics of users

Abstract

A graphical indication of a characteristic is assigned to each of a plurality of entities. A graphical indication is assigned to a first entity based on the graphical indications of the characteristic of each of a plurality of entities associated with the first entity. Then the graphical indication is assigned to the first entity on a display.

1 . A system comprising:
 an information server executable by a processor and configured to store information relating to entities; and   a rating component configured to:
 assign a graphical indication of a characteristic to each of a plurality of entities; and 
 assign a graphical indication to a first entity based on the graphical indications of the characteristic of each of a plurality of users associated with the first entity; and a processor configured to display the graphical indication assigned to the first entity on a display. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the assigning a graphical indication to the first entity is performed by a community rater. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the community rater comprises:
 a valuator configured to assign a rating to a entity; and   an aggregator configured to aggregate ratings of entities.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the aggregator is configured to perform a recursive routine to aggregate ratings of entities. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valuator calculates a weighted average of ratings assigned to the plurality of entities associated with the first user. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of entities are represented by a linked list with links between entries in the linked list representing relationships among the plurality of entities. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 assigning a graphical indication of a characteristic to each of a plurality of entities; and   assigning a graphical indication to a first entity based on the graphical indications of the characteristic of each of a plurality of entities associated with the first entity; and   displaying the graphical indication assigned to the first entity on a display.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the assigning a graphical indication of a characteristic to each of a plurality of entities includes assigning a graphical indication of the characteristic to the first user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the graphical indication of the characteristic assigned to each of the plurality of entities is based on feedback received from other entities. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the graphical indication of the characteristic assigned to each of the plurality of entities is based on feedback received regarding the plurality of entities. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the characteristic is a skill. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the characteristic is an area of expertise. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the characteristic is trustworthiness. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when implemented by one or more machines, cause the one or more machines to perform operations comprising:
 assigning a graphical indication of a characteristic to each of a plurality of entities; and   assigning a graphical indication to a first entity based on the graphical indications of the characteristic of each of a plurality of entities associated with the first entity; and   displaying the graphical indication assigned to the first entity on a display.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the assigning a graphical indication of a characteristic to each of a plurality of entities includes assigning a graphical indication of the characteristic to the first user. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the graphical indication of the characteristic assigned to each of the plurality of entities is based on feedback received from other entities. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the graphical indication of the characteristic assigned to each of the plurality of entities is based on feedback received regarding the plurality of entities. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the characteristic is a skill. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the characteristic is an area of expertise. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the characteristic is trustworthiness.