Synchronizing distributed work through document logs

• US 20060010095A1
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Piersol, Kurt W., Wolff, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,949,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/176 Support for shared access to files; File sharing support

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for synchronizing distributed work. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving first and second metadata entries, adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object, and providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, where the first and second unique identifiers are based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving first and second metadata entries;

adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object; and

providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the first and second unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second unique identifiers are hash values.

3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second unique identifiers are results of computing a hash value based on contents of the first and second metadata entries, respectively.

4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein sources of the first and second metadata entries are different.

5. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising accessing the first and second metadata entries using the first and second unique identifiers as indices.

6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein the indices are hash values.

7. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising receiving a third unique identifier that references the set.

8. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the third unique identifier is computed based on content of the digital object.

9. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the third unique identifier corresponding to the digital object comprises a hash value.

10. The method defined in claim 9 wherein the hash value is a result of applying a hash function that maps an arbitrary sequence of bytes associated with the digital object into a fixed size sequence.

11. The method defined in claim 9 wherein the hash value is a result of applying a hash function on content of the digital object.

12. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the third unique identifier is computed based on the content of the digital object.

13. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the digital object is indexed by the third unique identifier.

14. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising canonically ordering the first and second metadata entries.

15. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing access to the first and second unique identifiers comprises sending a canonical ordering of the first and second unique identifiers.

16. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing access to the first and second unique identifiers comprises sending sequence numbers associated the first and second unique identifiers, wherein each of the sequence numbers is associated with only one of the first and second unique identifiers.

17. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising assigning a distinct sequence number to each entry in the set including the first and second metadata entries.

18. The method defined in claim 17 further comprising sending, in response to a request, the distinct sequence number for each entry in the set including the first and second metadata entries along with unique identifiers associated with said each entry.

19. The method defined in claim 18 wherein sending sequence numbers occurs in response to a GET request.

20. The method defined in claim 17 wherein each distinct sequence number is assigned to the first and second metadata entries according to an order in which the first and second metadata entries are received.

21. The method defined in claim 17 wherein each distinct sequence number is assigned to each of the first and second metadata entries independent of an order in which the first and second metadata entries are created.

22. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of a transaction and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry.

23. The method defined in claim 22 wherein the description of the transaction includes an identification of property for sale by a seller.

24. The method defined in claim 22 wherein the additional information comprises a sequence number corresponding to the first metadata entry.

25. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry corresponds to an indication from a buyer expressing a commitment to purchase the property.

26. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising receiving a third metadata entry containing information that references either or both of the first and second metadata entries.

27. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising receiving a third metadata entry containing information related to a transaction to purchase the property, including information selected from a group consisting of:

shipping information and payment information.

28. The method defined in claim 25 wherein the shipping information includes one or more selected from the group of shipping dates, tracking numbers, and reception dates.

29. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising receiving a third metadata entry from another party that is not a source for the first and second metadata entries.

30. The method defined in claim 29 wherein the another party comprises an escrow agent.

31. The method defined in claim 29 wherein the third party metadata entry is added only after a sequence number for one or more prior metadata entries has been assigned.

32. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising performing a consistency check to ensure the content is equal to the hash value.

33. The method defined in claim 1 further comprises sending an updated set of entries each time a user views the digital object.

34. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising restricting access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

35. The method defined in claim 34 wherein restricting access to add the further metadata entry comprises denying a request to add the further comment.

36. The method defined in claim 34 further comprising publishing sequence numbers corresponding to entries in the set while preventing addition of further metadata entries.

37. The method defined in claim 34 wherein restricting access comprises:

adding the second metadata entry to the set;

charging a fee; and

preventing publication of a sequence number associated with the second metadata entry when one or more other sequence numbers associated with one or more entries in the set are published until after receiving an indication that payment has been received.

38. The method defined in claim 34 wherein the criteria comprise the number of metadata entries made on the document.

39. The method defined in claim 34 wherein the criteria comprise the time at which the further metadata entry is to be made.

40. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:

computing a hash of the digital object; and

encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

41. The method defined in claim 40 wherein the encryption key is a hash of the digital object.

42. The method defined in claim 41 wherein encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry is performed using DES with the hash as an encryption key.

43. The method defined in claim 40 wherein the encryption key is a function of an encrypted version of the digital object.

44. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising creating the encrypted version of the digital object by applying a hash function to the content of the digital object.

45. The method defined in claim 1 wherein receiving first and second metadata entries comprises responding to an HTTP POST request that includes at least one of the first and second metadata entries.

46. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising sending the set including the digital object.

47. The method defined in claim 46 wherein sending the set with the digital object occurs in response to receiving an HTTP GET request.

48. The method defined in claim 1 wherein making identifiers associated with the first and second metadata entries available in response to receiving a transaction fee.

49. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the digital object comprises a plurality of bytes.

50. The method defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second metadata entries comprises a message.

51. The method defined in claim 50 wherein the message comprises a text message.

52. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the second metadata entry comprises a link.

53. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the set is in XML format.

54. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the set comprises a log.

55. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the digital object is an identifier string.

56. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

receiving first and second metadata entries;

adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object; and

providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the first and second unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

57. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the first and second unique identifiers are hash values.

58. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the first and second unique identifiers are results of computing a hash value based on contents of the first and second metadata entries, respectively.

59. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the method further comprises receiving a third unique identifier that references the set.

60. The article of manufacture defined in claim 59 wherein the third unique identifier is computed based on content of the digital object.

61. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the method further comprises canonically ordering the first and second metadata entries.

62. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the method further comprises sending, in response to a request, a distinct sequence number for each entry in the set including the first and second metadata entries along with unique identifiers associated with said each entry.

63. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of a transaction and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry.

64. The article of manufacture defined in claim 63 wherein the description of the transaction includes an identification of property for sale by a seller.

65. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry corresponds to an indication from a buyer expressing a commitment to purchase the property.

66. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the method further comprises restricting access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

67. The article of manufacture defined in claim 66 wherein restricting access to add the further metadata entry comprises denying a request to add the further comment.

68. The article of manufacture defined in claim 66 wherein the method further comprises publishing sequence numbers corresponding to entries in the set while preventing addition of further metadata entries.

69. The article of manufacture defined in claim 66 wherein restricting access comprises:

adding the second metadata entry to the set;

charging a fee; and

preventing publication of a sequence number associated with the second metadata entry when one or more other sequence numbers associated with one or more entries in the set are published until after receiving an indication that payment has been received.

70. The article of manufacture defined in claim 56 wherein the method further comprises:

computing a hash of the digital object; and

encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

71. The article of manufacture defined in claim 70 wherein the encryption key is a hash of the digital object.

72. The article of manufacture defined in claim 71 wherein encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry is performed using DES with the hash as an encryption key.

73. An apparatus comprising:

an input to receive first and second metadata entries;

a document processing unit to add the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object;

a memory to store the entries; and

an access processing unit coupled to the memory to provide access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the first and second unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

74. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the first and second unique identifiers are hash values.

75. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the first and second unique identifiers are results of computing a hash value based on contents of the first and second metadata entries, respectively.

76. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the input unit receives a third unique identifier that references the set.

77. The apparatus defined in claim 76 wherein the third unique identifier is computed based on content of the digital object.

78. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the document processing unit canonically orders the first and second metadata entries.

79. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the access processing unit sends, in response to a request, a distinct sequence number for each entry in the set including the first and second metadata entries along with unique identifiers associated with said each entry.

80. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of a transaction and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry.

81. The apparatus defined in claim 80 wherein the description of the transaction includes an identification of property for sale by a seller.

82. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry corresponds to an indication from a buyer expressing a commitment to purchase the property.

83. The apparatus defined in claim 73 wherein the access processing unit restricts access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

84. The apparatus defined in claim 83 wherein the access processing unit restricts access to add the further metadata entry by denying a request to add the further comment.

85. The apparatus defined in claim 83 wherein the access processing unit publishes sequence numbers corresponding to entries in the set while preventing addition of further metadata entries.

86. The apparatus defined in claim 83 wherein the access processing unit restricts access by preventing publication of a sequence number associated with the second metadata entry, after the second metadata entry has been added to the set, when one or more other sequence numbers associated with one or more entries in the set are published until after receiving an indication that payment has been received.

87. The apparatus defined in claim 73 further comprising:

a hash computing unit to compute a hash of the digital object; and

an encryption unit to encrypt at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

88. The apparatus defined in claim 87 wherein the encryption key is a hash of the digital object.

89. The apparatus defined in claim 88 wherein the encryption unit encrypts at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using DES with the hash as an encryption key.

164. The apparatus defined in claim 79 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry corresponds to an indication from a buyer expressing a commitment to purchase the property.

90. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving first and second metadata entries;

means for adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object; and

means for providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the first and second unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

91. A method comprising:

sending a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object; and

receiving sequence number and unique identifier pairs for each metadata entry in the set.

92. The method defined in claim 91 further comprising:

identifying a temporal location of the first unique identifier among unique identifiers in the set.

93. The method defined in claim 92 further comprising:

receiving one or more additional entries for another party;

generating unique identifiers for the additional entries; and

comparing the generated unique identifiers with received unique identifiers to identify an order for the one or more additional entries and other entries in the set.

94. The method defined in claim 91 wherein the unique identifier in at least one of the pairs is a hash value.

95. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

send a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object; and

receive sequence number and unique identifier pairs for each metadata entry in the set.

96. An apparatus comprising:

a processing unit to send a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object; and

an input unit coupled to the processing unit to receive sequence number and unique identifier pairs for each metadata entry in the set.

97. An apparatus comprising:

means for sending a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object; and

means for receiving sequence number and unique identifier pairs for each metadata entry in the set.

98. A method comprising:

accessing to a dynamically modifiable set of metadata entries corresponding to a digital object, the set of metadata entries comprising first and second metadata entries; and

restricting access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

99. The method defined in claim 98 wherein restricting access comprise not accepting the second metadata entry until some criteria is meet.

100. The method defined in claim 98 wherein restricting access comprises denying a request to add a further comment.

101. The method defined in claim 98 further comprising publishing sequence numbers corresponding to entries in the set without including a sequence number for the further comment until criteria is met.

102. The method defined in claim 98 wherein restricting access comprises:

adding the second metadata entry to the set;

charging a fee; and

preventing publication of a sequence number associated with the second metadata entry when one or more other sequence numbers associated with one or more entries in the set are published until after receiving an indication that payment has been received.

103. The method defined in claim 98 wherein the criteria comprise the number of metadata entries made on the document.

104. The method defined in claim 98 wherein the criteria comprise the time at which the further metadata entry is to be made.

105. The method defined in claim 98 wherein restricting access comprises charging for access and permitting access after receiving an indication that payment has been received from a party.

106. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

accessing a dynamically modifiable set of metadata entries corresponding to a digital object, the set of metadata entries comprising first and second metadata entries; and

restricting access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

107. The article of manufacture defined in claim 106 wherein the method further comprises publishing sequence numbers corresponding to entries in the set without including a sequence number for the further comment until criteria is met.

108. The article of manufacture defined in claim 106 wherein restricting access comprises:

adding the second metadata entry to the set;

charging a fee; and

preventing publication of a sequence number associated with the second metadata entry when one or more other sequence numbers associated with one or more entries in the set are published until after receiving an indication that payment has been received.

109. The article of manufacture defined in claim 106 wherein the criteria comprise the number of metadata entries made on the document.

110. The article of manufacture defined in claim 106 wherein the criteria comprise the time at which the further metadata entry is to be made.

112. The apparatus defined in claim 106 wherein the access processing unit publishes sequence numbers corresponding to entries in the set without including a sequence number for the further comment until criteria is met.

113. The apparatus defined in claim 106 wherein the access processing unit restricts access by:

preventing publication of a sequence number associated with the second metadata entry, after the second metadata entry has been added to the set, when one or more other sequence numbers associated with one or more entries in the set are published until after receiving an indication that payment of a fee has been received.

114. The apparatus defined in claim 106 wherein the criteria comprise the number of metadata entries made on the document.

115. The apparatus defined in claim 106 wherein the criteria comprise the time at which the further metadata entry is to be made.

111. An apparatus comprising:

a memory to store a dynamically modifiable set of metadata entries corresponding to a digital object, the set of metadata entries comprising first and second metadata entries; and

an access processing unit coupled to the memory to restrict access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

116. An apparatus comprising:

means for accessing to a dynamically modifiable set of metadata entries corresponding to a digital object, the set of metadata entries comprising first and second metadata entries; and

means for restricting access to add a further metadata entry to the set of entries based on criteria.

117. A method comprising:

receiving a search request for content in which search scope is defined by specifying a hash value and a context for the search; and

performing the search.

118. The method defined in claim 117 wherein the context comprises information preceding the hash value in a request string.

119. The method defined in claim 118 wherein the information comprises one or more of a document log identifier and a digital object.

120. The method defined in claim 117 wherein the context is specified implicitly based on a server receiving the search request.

121. The method defined in claim 117 wherein the context includes one or more of a hostname and a hash of the hostname.

122. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a search request for content in which search scope is defined by specifying a hash value and a context for the search; and

perform the search.

123. The article of manufacture defined in claim 122 wherein the context comprises information preceding the hash value in a request string.

124. An apparatus comprising:

an input to receive a search request for content in which search scope is defined by specifying a hash value and a context for the search; and

a processing unit to perform the search.

125. The apparatus defined in claim 124 wherein the context comprises information preceding the hash value in a request string.

126. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a search request for content in which search scope is defined by specifying a hash value and a context for the search; and

means for performing the search.

127. A method comprising:

receiving a first unique identifier calculated from the digital object, the set having at least first and second metadata entries; and

encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

128. The method defined in claim 127 wherein the encryption key is a hash of the digital object.

129. The method defined in claim 128 wherein encrypting one or both of the digital object and the second metadata entry is performed using DES.

130. The method defined in claim 127 wherein the encryption key is a function of an encrypted version of the digital object.

131. The method defined in claim 130 further comprising creating the encrypted version of the digital object by applying an encryption function using the identifier as the encryption key.

132. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

receiving a first unique identifier calculated from the digital object, the set having at least first and second metadata entries; and

encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

133. The article of manufacture defined in claim 132 wherein the encryption key is a hash of the digital object.

134. The article of manufacture defined in claim 133 wherein encrypting one or both of the digital object and the second metadata entry is performed using DES.

135. An apparatus comprising:

an input unit to receive a first unique identifier calculated from the digital object, the set having at least first and second metadata entries; and

an encryption unit to encrypt at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

136. The apparatus defined in claim 135 wherein the encryption key is a hash of the digital object.

137. The apparatus defined in claim 136 wherein the encryption unit encrypts one or both of the digital object and the second metadata entry using DES.

138. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first unique identifier calculated from the digital object, the set having at least first and second metadata entries; and

means for encrypting at least one of the digital object, the first metadata entry, and the second metadata entry using an encryption key that is a function of the content of the digital object.

139. A method comprising:

maintaining a dynamically modifiable set of one or more entries corresponding to a digital object, wherein maintaining the dynamically modifiable log comprises

computing an identifier based on the content of the digital object; and

performing encryption using the identifier as the encryption key.

140. The method defined in claim 139 wherein the identifier comprises a hash value.

141. The method defined in claim 139 wherein performing encryption using the identifier as the encryption key comprises encrypting the digital object with the identifier.

142. The method defined in claim 139 further comprising generating the hash of the encrypted digital object and using the hash as an index to access the digital object.

143. The method defined in claim 139 further comprising generating the hash of the encrypted digital object and using the hash as an identifier to access an associated set of comments.

144. The method defined in claim 139 wherein performing encryption using the identifier as the encryption key comprises encrypting the hash of the digital object with the identifier.

147. The method defined in claim 139 wherein the identifier is a hash value computed by applying a hash function to the content of the digital object and further wherein performing encrypting comprises encrypting the digital object using DES with the hash value as an encryption key.

145. The method defined in 139 further comprising encrypting content of an entry using the identifier.

146. The method defined in claim 145 wherein the identifier is the hash of the digital object.

148. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

maintaining a dynamically modifiable set of one or more entries corresponding to a digital object, wherein maintaining the dynamically modifiable log comprises

computing an identifier based on the content of the digital object; and

performing encryption using the identifier as the encryption key.

149. An apparatus comprising:

a memory to maintain a dynamically modifiable set of one or more entries corresponding to a digital object, and

a processing unit to

compute an identifier based on the content of the digital object, and

perform encryption using the identifier as the encryption key.

150. An apparatus comprising:

means for maintaining a dynamically modifiable set of one or more entries corresponding to a digital object, wherein maintaining the dynamically modifiable log comprises

computing an identifier based on the content of the digital object; and

performing encryption using the identifier as the encryption key.

151. A method comprising:

receiving a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object;

receiving first and second metadata entries, wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry;

adding the first and second metadata entries to the set; and

providing access to second and third unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the second and third unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

152. The method defined in claim 151 wherein the additional information comprises a sequence number corresponding to the first metadata entry.

153. The method defined in claim 151 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry corresponds to an indication from a buyer expressing a commitment to purchase the property.

154. The method defined in claim 153 further comprising receiving a third metadata entry containing information that references either or both of the first and second metadata entries.

155. The method defined in claim 153 further comprising receiving a third metadata entry containing information related to a transaction to purchase the property, including information selected from a group consisting of:

shipping information and payment information.

156. The method defined in claim 153 wherein the shipping information includes one or more selected from the group of shipping dates, tracking numbers, and reception dates.

157. The method defined in claim 153 further comprising receiving a third metadata entry from another party that is not a source for the first and second metadata entries.

158. The method defined in claim 157 wherein the another party comprises an escrow agent.

159. The method defined in claim 157 wherein the third party metadata entry is added only after a sequence number for one or more prior metadata entries has been assigned.

160. The method defined in claim 151 wherein the digital object is an offer for sale.

161. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object;

receive first and second metadata entries, wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry;

add the first and second metadata entries to the set; and

provide access to second and third unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the second and third unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

162. The article of manufacture defined in claim 161 wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry corresponds to an indication from a buyer expressing a commitment to purchase the property.

163. An apparatus comprising:

an input unit to receive a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object and to receive first and second metadata entries, wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry;

a processing unit to add the first and second metadata entries to the set; and

an access processing unit to provide access to second and third unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the second and third unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

165. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first unique identifier that references a set corresponding to a digital object;

means for receiving first and second metadata entries, wherein the first metadata entry corresponds to a description of property for sale by a seller and the second metadata entry obtains additional information about the first metadata entry;

means for adding the first and second metadata entries to the set; and

means for providing access to second and third unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, the second and third unique identifiers being based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

166. A method of bidding in an on-line auction comprising:

creating metadata to be added to a set corresponding to a digital object, the metadata being created while not being connected to a networked environment;

storing the metadata while not being connected to a networked environment;

sending the metadata to the set when connected to a networked environment.

167. A method comprising:

creating a first verification hash value;

adding the first verification hash to a first document log;

creating a second verification hash value for a comment to be added to the first document log;

adding the second verification hash value to the first document log;

creating an entry in a second document log that references the first document log by including the second verification hash value of an entry in the first document log; and

verifying entries in the first document log by accessing the entry in the second document log that contains the second verification hash value.

168. The method defined in claim 167 wherein creating the first verification hash value comprises computing the hash value of a string that results from concatenating a secret with contents of a document.

169. The method defined in claim 168 wherein the document is an anchor for the first document log.

170. The method defined in claim 167 wherein creating the second verification hash value comprises computing the hash value of a string that results from concatenating the first verification hash value with a hash of the comment to be added to the first document log.

171. The method defined in claim 167 further comprising:

digitally signing each verification hash value in the first document log.

172. An article of manufacture having one or more recordable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

creating a first verification hash value;

adding the first verification hash to a first document log;

creating a second verification hash value for a comment to be added to the first document log;

adding the second verification hash value to the first document log;

creating an entry in a second document log that references the first document log by including the second verification hash value of an entry in the first document log; and

verifying entries in the first document log by accessing the entry in the second document log that contains the second verification hash value.

173. The article of manufacture defined in claim 172 wherein creating the first verification hash value comprises computing the hash value of a string that results from concatenating a secret with contents of a document.

174. The article of manufacture defined in claim 173 wherein the document is an anchor for the first document log.

175. The article of manufacture defined in claim 172 wherein creating the second verification hash value comprises computing the hash value of a string that results from concatenating the first verification hash value with a hash of the comment to be added to the first document log.

176. The article of manufacture defined in claim 172 wherein the method further comprises:

digitally signing each verification hash value in the first document log.

177. An apparatus comprising:

means for creating a first verification hash value;

means for adding the first verification hash to a first document log;

means for creating a second verification hash value for a comment to be added to the first document log;

means for adding the second verification hash value to the first document log;

means for creating an entry in a second document log that references the first document log by including the second verification hash value of an entry in the first document log; and

means for verifying entries in the first document log by accessing the entry in the second document log that contains the second verification hash value.