SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED FORUMS

• US 20080301091A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Hibbets, Jason S., Faus, Norman Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,356,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking

Abstract

An embodiment relates generally to a method of searching. The method includes receiving a query in a structured forum and searching a general and certified knowledgebase based on the query. The method also includes providing a plurality of search results ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of the search results.

Claims

1. A method of searching, the method comprising:

receiving a query in a structured forum;

searching a certified knowledgebase based on the query;

providing a plurality of search results ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of the search results.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

searching a general knowledgebase based on the query; and

providing a plurality of search results with unverified content ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of search results with unverified content.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing the plurality of search results and plurality of unverified search result as a single result list ordered based on the associated rating.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the query is based on at least one tag term.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the query based on at least one tag term.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising compiling a plurality of combined search results from the certified knowledgebase and the general knowledgebase based on at least one tag term.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising ordering the plurality of combined search results based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of combined search results.

8. An apparatus for searching, the apparatus comprising:

at least one memory device configured to store a structured forum, wherein the structured forum is configured to access a general knowledgebase and a certified knowledgebase;

an interface module configured to interface with the at least one memory device, wherein the interface module converts received queries into the native language of the at least one memory device; and

a forum module configured to process a query in the structured forum, execute a search in the certified knowledgebase based on the query and provide a plurality of search results ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of the search results.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the forum module is further configured to search the general knowledgebase based on the query and provide a plurality of search results with unverified content ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of search results with unverified content.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the forum module is further configured to provide the plurality of search results and plurality of search result with unverified content as a single result list ordered based on the associated rating.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the query is based on at least one tag term.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the forum module is configured to forming the query based on at least one tag term.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the forum module is configured to compile a plurality of combined search results from the certified knowledgebase and a general knowledgebase based on at least one tag term.

14. The apparatus of method of claim 13, wherein the forum module is further configured to order the plurality of combined search results based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of combined search results.

15. A system for searching, the system comprising:

a service portal configured to provide a single access point for a plurality of users;

a knowledge server configured to couple with the service portal, wherein the knowledge server is configured to provide a structured forum for users and access to a general knowledgebase and a certified knowledgebase; and

a forum module configured to be executed on the knowledge server, wherein the forum module is configured to process a query from a selected user in the plurality of users for the structured forum, execute a search in the certified knowledgebase based on the query and provide a plurality of search results ordered based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of the search results.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the forum module is further configured to search the general knowledgebase based on the query and to provide a plurality of search results with unverified content ordered based on an associated rating of each search result the plurality of search results with unverified content.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the forum module is further configured to provide the plurality of search results and plurality of search result with unverified content as a single result list ordered based on the associated rating.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the query is based on at least one tag term.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the forum module is configured to forming the query based on at least one tag term.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the forum module is configured to compile a plurality of combined search results from the certified knowledgebase and a general knowledgebase based on at least one tag term.

21. The system of method of claim 20, wherein the forum module is further configured to order the plurality of combined search results based on an associated rating of each search result of the plurality of combined search results.