When reputation crosses the networks, one extra attribute of reputation is added, that is the network’s name. Each user can have multiple reputation ratings for another user, each reputation rating is corresponding to a P2P network. When a new user joins a P2P network, all other users check the reputation records in the following way:

if ( known(u) )

{

if ( !reputation(u, n) )

{

if ( reputation(u, s) )

{

set_reputation(u, n, s);

}

else

{

set_reputation(u, n, default);

}

}

}

else

{

set_reputation(u, n, unknown);

}

In the pseudo code, u presents the new user, n presents the current network, and s presents the similar networks. Default is the default reputation rating, and unknown presents the reputation rating is unknown. The pseudo code explains how users assign a reputation rating for a new user. If the reputation rating of the new user is not known at all, set the reputation rating as unknown.

Otherwise, if the new user’s reputation rating is not known in either current or similar networks, give a default reputation rating to it. It is up to the user to set the default reputation rating, it can be any value from trust to not trust. If the new user’s reputation rating is known in similar networks, set the reputation rating of current network to the same value as in the similar networks. Of course, users can choose to ask other user’s opinions instead of giving unknown or a default value. Thus, the pseudo code is just a demonstration of the idea, it may not the best or optimized solution.

ref: Thanks Katri Ylitalo for providing the interesting topic, and for her guidance! Thanks for her time and comments…