Patent attributes
A system and method are presented that improves search results based on skills associated with individuals. The system monitors an individual's contributions to a third-party forum and associates the contributions with skills. The system also monitors learnings received by the individual. Assignments are made to associate the individual with the skills and to assign points. Users request a search based on search skill parameters, and the system uses forum-based data and non-forum data to identify and sort individuals. Skill and point assignments are made temporarily, and assignments are deleted upon the expiration of a time-to-live clock. Save events can permanently save data. Local forum data is also stored and can be used to restore deleted assignments. Points are used to improve avatars used when interacting with searching users.