Architectures for online reputation systems

Abstract

E-commerce provides a platform where complete strangers from all over the world have the chance to transact with each other. Reputation is a key factor in the success of such transactions, therefore reputation systems are in widespread use to help participants build their online reputation. This thesis analyzes current reputation systems and studies how to design architectures for online reputation systems. Based on the shortcomings found in current reputation systems, this thesis proposes and implements a reputation architecture called ORAS (online reputation aggregation system) Plus which provides a portable reputation mechanism for Web users. With ORAS Plus, users can search others' global reputation and obtain their own reputation cards which can be displayed at any website. ORAS Plus can help users know someone's online behaviors all over the Internet. More importantly, it allows users to take their existing reputation from one website to other websites where they are unknown to others.