IDEA COLLABORATION METHOD

1 . A method of ranking user reputation in a multi-user network, comprising:

displaying, via a display interface to a plurality of registered users of a multi-user network, a plurality of concepts for discussion;

receiving, from a first registered user via a data interface, a discussion post and a ranking for a selected one of the displayed concepts;

receiving, from a plurality of other registered users, a plurality of responses to the first registered user's discussion post, wherein each response includes an indication of whether the response is positive or negative; and

determining, via a processing device, a reputation rank for the first registered user, wherein the reputation rank is determined based on:

a number of discussion posts received from that registered user, and

a number of positive responses received from the other registered users for the first registered user's discussion posts; and

displaying the reputation rank to the registered users via the display interface.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining an indication of merit for the selected displayed concept, wherein the indication of merit is based at least in part on the reputation rank for each user who submitted a discussion post or ranking for the selected displayed concept.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the indication of merit for the selected displayed concept is also based on at least:

a number of different registered users who have submitted comments for the selected displayed concept;

a user interest for the selected displayed concept.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

a number of positive rankings that have been received from other registered users for ideas previously submitted by the first registered user; and

a number of negative rankings that have been received from other registered users for ideas previously submitted by the first registered user.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

a number of friends that have connected to the first registered user as connected friends;

a number of positive rankings that the connected friends have submitted for the first registered user; and

a number of negative rankings that the connected friends have submitted for the first registered user.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

a number of ideas posted by the first registered user that have a successful exit; and

a number of ideas posted by the first registered user that have an unsuccessful exit.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

an amount of virtual money that the first registered user has invested in correct outcomes in a prediction market; and

an amount of virtual money that the first registered user has invested in incorrect outcomes in the prediction market.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, from the first registered user, a first discussion concept;

receiving, from a plurality of other registered users, a plurality of comments to the first discussion concept, wherein each comment includes an indication of whether it is positive or negative; and

determining, via the processing device, an indication of merit from the first discussion concept; and

providing a reward to the first registered user, wherein an amount of the reward is based on the indication of merit for the first discussion concept and the reputation rank for the first registered user.

9 . A computer-program product containing computer-readable code that instructs a computing device to perform a method of ranking user reputation in a multi-user network, the method comprising:

displaying, via a display interface to a plurality of registered users of a multi-user network, a plurality of concepts for discussion;

receiving, from a first registered user via a data interface, a discussion post and a ranking for a selected one of the displayed concepts;

receiving, from a plurality of other registered users, a plurality of responses to the first registered user's discussion post, wherein each response includes an indication of whether the response is positive or negative; and

determining, via a processing device, a reputation rank for the first registered user, wherein the determining is based on:

a number of discussion posts received from that registered user, and

a number of positive responses received from the other registered users for the first registered user's discussion posts; and

displaying the reputation rank to the registered users via the display interface.

10 . The computer-program product of claim 9 , further comprising instructions that instruct the computing device to include in the method:

determining an indication of merit for the selected displayed concept, wherein the indication of merit is based at least in part on the reputation rank for each user who submitted a discussion post or ranking for the selected displayed concept.

11 . The computer program product of claim 10 , wherein the code ensures that the indication of merit for the selected displayed concept is also based on at least:

a number of different registered users who have submitted comments for the selected displayed concept;

a user interest for the selected displayed concept.

12 . The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the code ensures that the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

a number of positive rankings that have been received from other registered users for ideas previously submitted by the first registered user; and

a number of negative rankings that have been received from other registered users for ideas previously submitted by the first registered user.

13 . The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the code ensures that the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

a number of friends that have connected to the first registered user as connected friends;

a number of positive rankings that the connected friends have submitted for the first registered user; and

a number of negative rankings that the connected friends have submitted for the first registered user.

14 . The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the code ensures that the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

a number of ideas posted by the first registered user that have a successful exit; and

a number of ideas posted by the first registered user that have an unsuccessful exit.

15 . The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the code ensures that determining the reputation rank for the first registered user is also based on:

an amount of virtual money that the first registered user has invested in correct outcomes in a prediction market; and

an amount of virtual money that the first registered user has invested in incorrect outcomes in the prediction market.

16 . The computer-program product of claim 9 , further comprising instructions that instruct the computing device to include in the method:

receiving, from the first registered user, a first discussion concept;

receiving, from a plurality of other registered users, a plurality of comments to the first discussion concept, wherein each comment includes an indication of whether it is positive or negative; and

determining, via the processing device, an indication of merit from the first discussion concept; and

providing a reward to the first registered user, wherein an amount of the reward is based on the indication of merit for the first discussion concept and the reputation rank for the first registered user.