Graphical messaging software application and features thereof

1. A computer-implemented method of delivering graphic-based messages from one or more subscriber-users to a non-subscriber user of a messaging software system, the method comprising:

defining a predetermined set of message categories;

associating graphic-based messages created by the one or more subscriber-users with one or more of the message categories;

defining user preferences for the non-subscriber user, including designating at least a first message category from the set of message categories that the non-subscriber user wishes to receive;

monitoring the non-subscriber user's responses to graphic-based messages received by the non-subscriber user in relation to at least some of the message categories in the predetermined set;

in response to a plurality of negative actions of the non-subscriber user relative to received graphic-based messages in the first message category, querying the non-subscriber user regarding whether the non-subscriber user wishes to continue receiving graphic-based messages in the first message category; and

when the non-subscriber user responds to the query by indicating the non-subscriber user does not wish to continue receiving graphic-based messages in the first message category, revising the user preferences to remove the first message category from the set of message categories that the non-subscriber user wishes to receive;

wherein the defining, associating, monitoring, querying, and revising are carried out at least in part by software resident on one or both ofa portable electronic device and a distributed networking device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic-based messages have digital file sizes of 40 to 80 kilobytes.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic-based messages include one or more of audio content, video content, and hyperlink content.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic-based messages comprise one or more of announcements, alerts, appointments, and advertising.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic-based messages are configured to appear as a full wallpaper image when delivered to a smart phone.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic-based messages are transmitted on a data channel of a cellular communications network.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising limiting access for who can generate and send the graphic-based messages to the one or more subscriber-users.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-subscriber user is a member of a closed group of non-subscriber users managed by the one or more subscriber-users.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring the non-subscriber user's responses includes maintaining a statistical measure of such responses.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associating includes encoding information relating to the one or more message categories in a metadata portion of the graphic-based messages.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the defining, associating, monitoring, querying, and revising are carried out at least in part by software resident on the portable electronic device, and the portable electronic device is a smart phone.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the defining, associating, monitoring, querying, and revising are carried out at least in part by software resident on the distributed networking device, and the distributed networking device includes a computer server.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the software defines a hub having sufficient memory storage capacity to store the graphic-based messages.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more subscriber-users includes a plurality of subscriber-users, and wherein the non-subscriber user is communicatively connected to the plurality of subscriber-users via a communications network infrastructure.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the communications network infrastructure includes at least one of a cellular network and a world wide web.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-subscriber user is one of a plurality of non-subscriber users, and the plurality of non-subscriber users are communicatively connected to each other via a communications network infrastructure.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of non-subscriber users and the one or more subscriber-users are affiliated with an educational institution.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined set of message categories includes a category for alerts including at least one of lockdowns and threats.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by an electronic device having a visual display, a user input device, and a processor, cause the electronic device to perform operations comprising:

delivering graphic-based messages from one or more subscriber-users to a non-subscriber user;

defining a predetermined set of message categories;

associating graphic-based messages created by the one or more subscriber-users with one or more of the message categories;

defining user preferences for the non-subscriber user, including designating at least a first message category from the set of message categories that the non-subscriber user wishes to receive;

monitoring the non-subscriber user's responses to graphic-based messages received by the non-subscriber user in relation to at least some of the message categories in the predetermined set;

in response to a plurality of negative actions of the non-subscriber user relative to received graphic-based messages in the first message category, querying the non-subscriber user regarding whether the non-subscriber user wishes to continue receiving graphic-based messages in the first message category; and

when the non-subscriber user responds to the query by indicating the non-subscriber user does not wish to continue receiving graphic-based messages in the first message category, revising the user preferences to remove the first message category from the set of message categories that the non-subscriber user wishes to receive.

20. The storage medium of claim 19 , wherein the non-subscriber user is one of a plurality of non-subscriber users, and the plurality of non-subscriber users are communicatively connected to each other via a communications network infrastructure, and the plurality of non-subscriber users and the one or more subscriber-users are affiliated with an educational institution.

21. The storage medium of claim 20 , wherein the predetermined set of message categories includes a category for alerts including at least one of lockdowns and threats.