Alerts for monitoring user status

摘要

A method of monitoring a user of a communication system includes enabling a first user to initiate monitoring of a second user, automatically monitoring status of activity by the second user on the communication system, and delivering to the first user, one or more of an indication that the second user has added or changed a profile or away message, received a new or updated profile or away message comment, visited an Internet location, engaged in communication device activity, or has generated audio or visual input.

主权项

1. A method of monitoring a user of a communication system that maintains status information and electronically communicates user-submitted content, the method comprising:
enabling, using at least one processor, a first user of the communication system to submit a request including parameters to monitor status information and user-submitted content of a second user of the communication system; communicating the parameters of the request to the second user; responsive to communicating the request, receiving an authorization decision from the second user, including one of:
granting authorization of the request to monitor the status information and user-submitted content of the second user, anddenying authorization of the request to monitor the status information and user-submitted content of the second user; enabling, using the at least one processor, monitoring by the first user, based on the second user's granting of authorization of the request to monitor the status information and user-submitted content of the second user, including enabling the first user to view user-submitted content that is included in a communication that is not addressed to the first user or originated by the first user; and enabling receipt, by the first user, of an indication of the monitored status information and user-submitted content of the second user.