Abstract:
The present invention provides methods, systems, and components for bringing together individuals into an organization of groups in an online environment and for providing ways to help groups keep in contact and manage affairs. The groups are organized such that members of any particular group share some common interest or activity. A group could be an online representation of a group, club, community, team, school, alumni, friends, singles, families, organizations or businesses, for example. The present invention allows users to join an online community; create and maintain public or private interest groups; search member messages, biographies, photos, and news; add events to a group calendar; use online RSVP and automated guest lists to manage events; manage projects with interactive task lists, budgeting tools, and progress reports; schedule online chat; vote on group decisions; and generally connect with others in an online environment.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/758,045, filed Jan. 11, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and apparatus for organizing a community of members and, in particular, relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for organizing communities through a client-server network.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Using the internet to congregate in virtual communities is well known. Email, instant messaging, bulletin boards, and forums, are all capable of creating a sense of community among users who persistently communicate with a group of people sharing one or more common interests.  
         [0004]     Software that organizes a user&#39;s information is also well known. Calendar programs are used to keep track of events. Invitation software are used to send invitations for events, generate and track responses, and manage event details. Project management programs allow a user to map out a project, divide the project into tasks, and track the progress of each task.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides methods, systems, and components for bringing together individuals into an organization of groups in an online environment and for providing ways to help groups keep in contact and manage affairs. The groups are organized such that members of any particular group share some common interest or activity. A group could be an online representation of a group, club, community, team, school, alumni, friends, singles, families, organizations or businesses, for example. The present invention allows users to join an online community; create and maintain public or private interest groups; search member messages, biographies, photos, and news; add events to a group calendar; use online RSVP and automated guest lists to manage events; manage projects with interactive task lists, budgeting tools, and progress reports; schedule online chat; vote on group decisions; and generally connect with others in an online environment. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a conventional digital processing system in which the present invention can be deployed.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a conventional PC or other computing apparatus in which the present invention can be deployed.  
         [0008]      FIGS. 3A-3C  depict a web page describing different types of groups in an online community.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict a home page for an online community.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 5A-5F  depict a home page for a group.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 6A-6B  depict a web page for voting on a group name.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 7A-7D  depict a web page for searching for a group.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  depict a web page displaying results of a search.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  depicts a web page for joining a group.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 10A-10B  depict a web page for displaying a user&#39;s groups.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 11A-11B  depict a web page for creating a group.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 12A-12B  depict a web page for displaying a summary of recent activity in a user&#39;s groups.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 13A-13B  depict a web page for sponsoring a new member of a group.  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  depicts a web page displaying links to user account settings.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 15A-15F  depict a web page for editing profile settings.  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  depicts a web page for managing a user&#39;s photos.  
         [0022]      FIG. 17  depicts a web page for viewing a photo.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 18A-18C  depict a web page for searching for group members.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 19A-19B  depict a web page displaying group member search results.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 20A-20B  depict a web page of a user&#39;s profile.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 21A-21C  depict a web page describing project management.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 22A-22C  depict a web page displaying a project list.  
         [0028]      FIG. 23  depicts a web page displaying project data.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 24A-24I  depict a web page displaying a task list.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 25A-25B  depict a web page displaying task data.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 26A-26D  depict a web page for adding a task.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 27A-27B  depict a web page displaying a summary of progress in a project.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 28A-28B  depict a web page displaying information about adding multiple tasks to a task list.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 29A-29B  depict a web page displaying a calendar in a view.  
         [0035]      FIG. 30  depicts a web page displaying a calendar in an alternate view.  
         [0036]      FIG. 31  depicts a web page displaying information about a calendar event.  
         [0037]      FIG. 32  depicts a web page displaying an RSVP list.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 33A-33C  are a web page for posting a new event.  
         [0039]      FIG. 34  depicts a web page displaying recent polls.  
         [0040]      FIG. 35  depicts a web page displaying upcoming and closed polls.  
         [0041]      FIG. 36  depicts a web page for voting in a poll.  
         [0042]      FIG. 37  depicts a web page for creating a new poll.  
         [0043]      FIG. 38  depicts a web page for conducting a chat session.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 39A-39G  depict a web page displaying a message board.  
         [0045]      FIG. 40  depicts a web page for posting a new message to the message board.  
         [0046]      FIG. 41  depicts a web page detailing participation costs.  
         [0047]      FIG. 42  depicts a web page for contacting the site administrators.  
         [0048]      FIG. 43  depicts a web page displaying advertising options.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 44A-44B  depict a web page for adding an advertisement. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0050]     Before proceeding with detail of the embodiments and practices of the present invention, the following is a brief discussion of the typical aspects of a computing environment in which the invention may be implemented.  
         [0051]     In particular, methods, devices or software products in accordance with the invention can operate on any of a wide range of conventional computing devices and systems, like those depicted by way of example in  FIG. 1  (e.g., a network system  1 ), whether standalone, networked, portable or fixed, including conventional PCs  2 , laptops  4 , handheld or mobile computers  5 , or across the Internet or other networks  6 , which may in turn include servers  7  and storage  8 .  
         [0052]     In line with conventional computer software and hardware practice, a software application configured in accordance with the invention can operate within, e.g., a PC  2  like that shown in  FIG. 2 , in which program instructions can be read from CD ROM  11 , magnetic disk or other storage  13  and loaded into RAM  10  for execution by CPU  12 . Data can be input into the system via any known device or means, including a conventional keyboard, scanner, mouse or other elements  103 .  
         [0053]     Having described a typical environment in which the invention may be implemented, the following discussion describes methods, systems, and apparatus in accordance with the present invention for bringing together individuals into an organization of groups in an online environment and for providing ways to help groups keep in contact and manage affairs. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the below-described methods, systems, and apparatus can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, using conventional computer apparatus such as a personal computer (PC) or equivalent device operating in accordance with (or emulating) a conventional operating system such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Unix, either in a standalone configuration or across a network. The various processing means and computational means described below and recited in the claims may therefore be implemented in the software and/or hardware elements of a properly configured digital processing device or network of devices.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , an embodiment of the present invention permits three types of groups with increasing degrees of control: public groups  20 , private groups  22 , and controlled groups  24 .  
         [0055]     A public group  20  may be created by anyone. Once created, anyone may join public group  20 , as described in more detail below. Members of group  20  control its properties through a process of nominations and voting. The winning choice (e.g., the super-majority choice) is implemented automatically. In this way, public groups  20  do not require a dedicated moderator.  
         [0056]     A private group  22  may also be created by anyone. But once created, membership is controlled in the first instance by the creator of the private group  22  and then by all subsequent members of group  22 . Existing members of group  22  can extend an invitation to prospective new members. Alternatively, a prospective member can request to become a new member. In response to the request, an existing member can allow it, effectively sponsoring the new member. If no existing member will be a sponsor, the request is denied after a suitable period of time, such as 30 days.  
         [0057]     Controlled groups  24  may only be created by a limited group of members, such as those who choose to pay for a subscription. The creator of a controlled group  24  becomes the group&#39;s Controller and can control group  24 &#39;s properties and settings, such as whether controlled group  24  is displayed in search listings. The Controller may select an Assistant Controller, who is granted similar control over group  24  and will succeed the Controller should he resign from group  24 . Should the Controller resign without an Assistant Controller in place, controlled group  24  automatically converts to a private group.  
         [0058]     Membership in controlled group  24  operates in a similar manner as for private group  22 , using invitations and sponsorships, except that only the Controller and Assistant Controller may invite or sponsor new members. The Controller and Assistant Controller may warn members of controlled group  24  and, after a certain number of warnings, may remove a member from group  24 . In one example, three warnings are required for removal. Controlled group  24  may have both subscribing members and non-subscribing members.  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4D , in one embodiment of the present invention, a user navigates to a home page  10  of the embodiment on the World Wide Web using a web browser. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to a web-based implementation. In one example, page  10  displays a welcome message and describes features of the embodiment. A list of links  12  to other pages is displayed across the top of page  10 .  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5F  and  6 A- 6 B, the main page  30  of a public group  20  is shown. Main page  30  displays the group name  32  (e.g., “Demo”), group description  34 , group logo  36 , and other information about the group. Links  37 ,  38 ,  39 , and  40  are displayed to lead group members to pages where they can propose new group names, descriptions, slogans, logos, or the like, and vote on existing proposals. Users can upload their own proposed logo graphics or photos, or select from the site&#39;s graphics and photo gallery. The site&#39;s graphics and photo gallery may be searched or sorted by category, image name, keywords, or identification number. For example, a member of the Demo group can propose a new group name by entering it in field  46  or vote for the existing name by selecting radio button  48 . If other names are proposed, radio buttons are displayed for those choices.  
         [0061]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C ,  7 A- 7 D, and  8 , a user can search existing groups by clicking on the search link  50  on home page  10  to reach search page  60 . There, one or more search parameters are used. For example, group names and descriptions can be searched by entering keywords in field  62  and clicking button  63 . If desired, pull down  64  can narrow the search to exact or partial matches while pull down  66  determines how the results  67  will be sorted. In other examples, groups may be searched by entering a full or partial group number in field  68  and clicking button  69 .  
         [0062]     Alternatively, a user may browse for a group by several different criteria. A user selects how the groups will be browsed with pull down  70 , such as by access level, category, group name, group number, most logins, most messages, or most pictures, and begins browsing by clicking button  71 . A user can directly choose a category to browse with pull down  72  and button  73 . Groups may also be browsed by those that are most popular or newest by clicking buttons  74  and  76 , respectively. Finally, users may choose to navigate to an online forum by clicking button  78  in order to meet members of groups and learn more about what groups are available and converse with other users about the site.  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 A- 10 B, users can easily join existing groups. In one example, a user finds a group to join on page  80  by entering a group number in search field  81  and clicking on button  82 . By clicking on link  84 , a user can see a list of her groups on page  86 . Using a set  86  of radio buttons and button  88 , the user can choose whether and how often to receive summaries of the activity in the group. The user enters a group by clicking a link  90  from a list of links to her groups.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11B , a user can create a group by navigating to page  100  using link  102 . The group name is entered in field  104 . A group category is chosen with pull down  106 . A description may be entered in field  108 . A slogan may be entered in field  110 . The user can choose whether the new group will be public, private, or controlled with set  112  of radio buttons. As discussed above, if the group is public or private, group members later may change the other properties entered. The user has an option to list the group in a search directory by selecting from radio buttons  114  and creates the new group by clicking button  116 .  
         [0065]     Referring to FIGS.  5 F,  12 A- 12 B, and  13 A- 13 B, a group member can find out about recent activity in a group by clicking on the “What&#39;s New” link  118  at the bottom of page  30  to navigate to the “What&#39;s New” page  130 . Using pull downs  132  and  134  and button  136 , a user can select what kinds of recent activities to view and how recent the activities occurred. In one example, page  130  displays new group members or changes to existing group member profiles, new or updated projects or tasks, new or updated calendar events, new polls, or new or updated messages or replies. Users can elect to have daily or weekly emails sent to them for selected groups that list the recent activity in those groups during that time period. In other examples, the user may receive real-time updates of new activity through a syndication scheme. A particular example may be a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed from community accessed by a news reader on the user&#39;s computer.  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , a user can send other sponsor emails inviting them to join a group on “Sponsor” page  140 . The user enters an email address in field  142  and an invitation is sent to that address. Additional fields may be added to page  140  to accommodate any number of invitations. If the group is private or controlled, the invitation will contain a sponsor code permitting membership in the group. Link  144  allows a member to see what invitations have been sent by the group. Link  146  allows a member to see requests for group membership by non-members.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 A- 15 F, when a user joins a group, an account is created for the user. An example of an account is shown on Account page  160 . Here, a user can manage her password, email, and security question or resign from a group. A user can also access her profile to manage how other group members perceive them and control what profile information is shared. Using link  162 , the user can navigate to Profile page  170 . Additionally, the user can navigate to page  170  from any page linked thereto.  
         [0068]     A user&#39;s profile is split into two parts: part  172  remains consistent for all groups of which the user is a member, while part  174  may be customized for any group of which the user is a member. Profile part  172  includes fields for a user to enter her real first and last names ( 176 ,  178 ), the contents of which are not displayed to other group members, and fields to enter first and last screen names ( 180 , 182 ), which are displayed. Pull down  184  is used to select a gender, field  186  to enter a city and state, and  188  to select a time zone for the user. Information  192  about the user is also displayed in part  172 , such as the user&#39;s local time, identification number, date and time of last login, date and time part  172  was last updated, number of times the profile has been viewed, and a member ranking number. The member ranking number is based on the frequency that the member uses the site relative to other members, informing others how experienced the user is and encouraging more frequent use of the site. The making may also be used as part of a member rewards program, for example.  
         [0069]     Profile part  174  is displayed only in connection with an individual group. The user may modify part  174  so that the same or different information is displayed to each group of which she is a member. In one example, part  174  displays the member&#39;s email address at  194  according to which radio button she chooses from set  196 . The user may enter additional contact information into field  198  and choose whom to show the information with set  200  of radio buttons. The user may choose to show her email address and other contact information to no one, everyone, or only to friends, as described in more detail below. The date the user joined the group is displayed at  202 . The user may use pull down  204  and field  206  to display her year of graduation and degree received, respectively. Pull downs  208 ,  210 , and  212  are used to choose the user&#39;s birthday, which will be displayed on the group calendar, as described in more detail below.  
         [0070]     Referring to  FIGS. 15E-15F  and  16 - 17 , profile page  170  displays additional information about the user. Photos and graphics uploaded to the user&#39;s account are displayed in profile part  214 . The user may upload their own graphics or photos, or select images from the site&#39;s graphics and photo gallery. In one example, thumbnail views are displayed instead of full size images. Clicking link  216  takes the user to page  218  where photos  220  may be selected using check boxes  222  or arranged in order with pull downs  224  and captions may be added. Clicking on a thumbnail image takes the user to the full sized image  226  where a caption may be added.  
         [0071]     A user&#39;s profile may also consist of collections of web page links in her profile at  228 , other links at part  230  and favorite groups at part  232 . Biography field  234  allows a user to display a biography or other news about her to an individual group or all groups of which she is a member.  
         [0072]     Referring to  FIGS. 18A-18C , profiles are searchable by several different criteria on page  240 . Using checkboxes  242 , a user can choose to see profiles having bios/news, photos, recently updated profiles, or certain genders. Using pull down  244 , the user can choose when to cut updates from the search. With pull down  246 , the user can choose which gender for which to search. Profiles may be searched by keyword by entering the keyword(s) in field  248 , choosing a profile field to search with pull down  250 , and the degree of match to return with pull down  252 . Alternatively, a user may browse profiles by choosing available criteria from pull down  254 . Clicking button  256  browses profiles of the user&#39;s friends. Clicking button  258  may browse all profiles.  
         [0073]     Referring to  FIGS. 19A-19B  and  20 A- 20 B, results of a profile search are shown on page  270 . In one example, the results are show in a summary view  272  that displays only the names of the profile found and the date and time of their last login. In other examples, the results are shown in an expanded view  274  that shows more information about each result, such as the date the profile was last updated, and the gender, birthday, city, state, and bio/news displayed in the profile. In some examples, a user&#39;s profile may be viewed by clicking on her screen name anywhere it appears. A group can work together on projects and manage those projects in one embodiment of the present invention. In one example, only users who subscribe for project management features are permitted to use project management tools.  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIGS. 21A-21C , a brief overview of a project management system embodiment of the present invention will be helpful in describing embodiments in more detail. A user who creates a project becomes the supervisor of that project. The supervisor can select a project leader who is responsible for completing the project. The supervisor or leader can edit the project&#39;s name and description, change the leader, mark the project as complete, or delete the project.  
         [0075]     Any project participant may post a task to the task list and select a task manager and assistants. Whoever posts the task may subsequently edit the task, including changing the task data, the manager, the assistants, marking the task completed, or deleting the task. Supervisors or leaders may edit tasks posted by anyone, in a manner similar to the poster of a task. The supervisor and leader may also approve tasks. The supervisor and leader may also flag a task for a member&#39;s attention. Users can click to view only flagged tasks on the task list. When users view the “What&#39;s New” page  130 , receive an update email, or a syndicated update listing new activity, as discussed above, the user&#39;s flagged tasks will be indicated. A manager may edit the actual costs and actual hours of the task, mark the task completed, or add notes, but may not otherwise edit the task. Task assistants may only edit task notes. If the supervisor resigns from a project, the leader takes his place. If the supervisor or leader resigns from the group, either takes the other&#39;s place. Projects without a remaining supervisor or leader are automatically deleted.  
         [0076]     The task data and status information for each task may be updated on a task data page where all task details are shown. In addition, the supervisor and leader may mark selected tasks completed or approved, or extend due dates, with a single click.  
         [0077]     Supervisors may also create task categories when she creates the project. Both the supervisor and leader may add, delete, or edit categories. Categories having tasks assigned to them, however, may only be edited. When any task poster adds a new task, she can assign the task to an existing category or enter a new category, which is added to the category list. The supervisor or leader may change the category of any posted task while the task poster may only change the category of her own-posted tasks.  
         [0078]     Referring to  FIGS. 22A-22C  and  23 , Project list page  300  shows a list  302  of projects in which the group is involved. The projects may be ongoing or completed. Pull down boxes  304  and  306  are used to easily customize the listed projects. In one example, the projects may be sorted by the dates they were created. In another example, all completed projects are shown. In other examples, all projects, all incomplete projects, all the user&#39;s projects, or all the user&#39;s completed or incomplete projects may be shown. The project list shows summary data for each project listed, such as the project name, supervisor, leader, description, and task information. Data for individual projects may also be displayed, such as on page  308 , for example.  
         [0079]     Referring to  FIGS. 24A-24I , a task list also helps group members manage projects. Each project contains an interactive task list. Task list page  320  allows a user to display a list of tasks by many different criteria, which allows great flexibility and ease of use. Tasks can be searched by keyword(s) entered in field  322 . Tasks can also be searched by one or more identification numbers (“locators”) entered in field  322  as each task is assigned a unique locator. Pull downs  324  and  326  determine what task data will be searched and how precise a match is required, respectively. Pull downs  328 , 330 , and  332  sort the resulting task list by criteria such as task name, category, date approved, date completed, date notes updated, date posted, due date, notes updated by, posted by, revised by, task locator, or task name. A manager, using pull down  334 , can also display tasks. Other criteria may be used to sort and display tasks using pull down  336 , such as whether the tasks are approved, selected, or completed. In this way, the task list may be quickly and easily sorted in ways that help the user.  
         [0080]     Tasks list  337  shows tasks  338 ,  340 , and  342  in a summary view. For each task, the name, manager, and due date of the task is shown. If one or more assistants have been assigned to the task, or if the task has been flagged for a user&#39;s attention, they may be displayed in the summary view as well. The summary view also displays the task locator and if the task was completed or approved.  
         [0081]     The task list may also be displayed in full view. Full view displays a list of all selected tasks and detailed information for each task on the list, including all of the information displayed in summary view plus the task category, description, notes, and estimated and actual time and hours.  
         [0082]     Referring to  FIGS. 24A-24B , each task may be selected to see a detailed view of the task details. For example, clicking link  342  in task  344  can navigate the user to task data page  350 , which displays the project name, supervisor, leader, task name, task category, and a description of the task, for example. In other examples, a user could add notes to the task from page  350 . In still other example, page  350  could include a history logs for estimated and actual task hours and estimated and actual task costs for the individual task. The log could show the value, date, and person making the update to the task data.  
         [0083]     Referring to  FIGS. 26A-26D , a task can be added to a project on page  360 . The user enters the task name in field  362 , either chooses an existing task category from pull down  364  or enters a new task category in field  368 , and adds a description of the task in field  370 . Finally, the manager is chosen using pull down  372 .  
         [0084]     Additional task data may also be entered when the task is created. One or more assistants may be chosen using pull down  374 . The task may also be flagged for a user&#39;s attention. Pull down  376  assigns a due date to the task. Radio buttons  378 ,  380 , and  382  control whether the task is subject to no billing, hourly billing, or non-hourly billing, respectively. If the task is subject to hourly billing, an hourly rate and estimated hours are entered in fields  384  and  386 . The hourly rate can be selected from a pull down list of hourly rates entered for previous tasks, or a new hourly rate can be entered. As hours are spent working on the task, a running total is entered in field  388 . If the task is subject to non-hourly billing, an estimated cost is entered in field  390 . When the task is completed, the actual cost is entered in field  392 . A project management help page  394  can be accessed from help link  392  at the bottom of page  360 . In another example, supervisors or leaders can click to copy or move existing tasks to other projects for which they are also the supervisor or leader.  
         [0085]     Referring to  FIGS. 27A-27B , a progress summary page  400  helps users track project progress and keep on budget. Page  400  displays summary  402  for a project&#39;s tasks and summary  404  for the estimated hours of the project. In another example, summary  402  includes a history log for estimated, actual, and remaining costs and summary  404  includes a history log for estimated, actual, and remaining hours. In other examples, page  400  includes a summary of actual hours worked on the project, breaking down hours worked on completed, incomplete, approved, and unapproved tasks as well as tracking what portion of all tasks are completed and what portion of all tasks are approved. Page  400  may also include similar summaries for estimated costs and actual costs. Page  400  may also include summaries of remaining hours and remaining costs for incomplete tasks.  
         [0086]     Referring to FIGS.  24 H and  28 A- 28 B, a user can add multiple tasks to the task list at one time by clicking on button  410 . If the user already has a numbered task list and does not want to reenter each task, she can use the multiple tasks embodiment of the present invention to add a series of consecutively numbered tasks with a single click. For example, if the user already had a spreadsheet with 100 tasks, she would first number the spreadsheet tasks from 1 to 100. Then, she would create a new project and add the spreadsheet tasks to the new project in one step. The imported tasks would automatically be numbered “Task 1” through “Task 100,” corresponding to the spreadsheet numbering. If there were existing tasks on the task list, the imported tasks would be numbered starting with the next available task number. Once the multiple tasks are added to the list, they initially display the selections made on the add multiple tasks page. After the tasks are added, a user can modify any task field individually, including the task name.  
         [0087]     Referring to  FIG. 24H , task list data may be exported to other programs, such as a spreadsheet program, by clicking on button  412  and exporting the file in a well-known format, such as a comma separated file.  
         [0088]     Referring to  FIGS. 29A-29B  and  30 - 31 , user can keep track of his appointments on a calendar  422  displayed on page  420 . The user can post single events, such as “Brunch” appointment  424 , or repeating events, such as “Const. Status Updates” appointment  426 , for example. The user can quickly select a date to display with pull downs  428  and select a view to display with buttons  430 , such as a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual view, for example. Calendar  428  shows a weekly view. A user can click on an event  430  in calendar  428  to view the event&#39;s details on page  434 . At the bottom of page  434 , a user may RSVP to the event  430  by clicking on RSVP button  436 . The user may also RSVP by clicking on an RSVP link next to the event description in any view. For a repeating event, users may RSVP for a single date, for selected multiple dates of the event, or for all dates of the event. When users RSVP, they indicate whether or not they will attend and enter the name and optional email address for each guest. The total number of attendees and the number of guests per member are automatically restricted to the limits entered by the member that established the event.  
         [0089]     Referring to  FIGS. 32 , the RSVP list  442  shown on page  440  automates the process of responding to invitations. A user can manage the number of attendees to an event created by her. Invitees can respond easily. Using pull down  444  and clicking button  446  can sort list  442 . The RSVP list  442  allows members to sort and list or print which other members are attending the event, who their guests are, when they responded, and optional email addresses. The RSVP list also displays the total number of members and the total number of guests that will be attending.  
         [0090]     Referring to  FIGS. 33A-33C , new events may be added to calendar  422  on page  450 . Pull downs  452  control the date for the new event while radio buttons  452  control whether the event has start and end times (controlled by pull downs  456 ) or is an all day event. The event title and description are entered in fields  458  and  460 , respectively. Radio buttons  462  control the event&#39;s repeating properties (e.g., not repeating, repeating by time period, or repeating by a property of the date) and pull downs  464  and  466  control those properties. Pull downs  468  control whether a series of repeating events has an end date. Radio buttons  470  control whether guests must respond to events with a reservation (i.e., RSVP) to attend and pull downs  472  and  474  control when an invitee must respond by in order to attend. Entering values in fields  476  and  478  controls the maximum number of attendees and maximum number of guests a group member may bring.  
         [0091]     By integrating calendar  422  with an automated, easy-to-use RSVP list  442  in a community setting, users have a powerful tool to manage schedules and automate guest lists for meetings and events.  
         [0092]     Referring to  FIGS. 34-37 , group members may use polls to let group members vote on questions posed therein. Page  480  shows a list  482  of recent polls for a particular group. List  482  includes polls that are currently open, polls  484  that have not yet opened for voting, and polls  486  that have been voted on in the past. In one example, the poll question and poll start and end dates are displayed for each poll on the list. Each poll listed is linked to a page  490  on which the user can submit her vote using radio buttons  492  corresponding to the poll options.  
         [0093]     New poll questions are created on page  500 . The user enters the poll question in field  502  and at least two answer options in fields  504  and  506 . Additional fields may contain additional poll answer options. Pull downs  508  control the poll&#39;s start and end dates.  
         [0094]     Referring to  FIG. 38 , group members may participate in online chat with each other. Each group has its own chat room. By entering chat room  512  on page  510 , two or more members may hold chat meetings, send public or private messages in the chat room, view all or a portion of chat history, and print copies of all or a portion of chat history for their records. The chat history is displayed for a period of time, so that users subsequently entering the chat room can view what has transpired. Frame  516  lists the chat participants while the chat history appears in frame  514 . The names of the chat participants can be clicked to view their profiles.  
         [0095]     A member enters his chat message in field  518 , controls who will see the chat message with pull down  520 , and sends the message by clicking button  522 . In other examples, check boxes appearing next to each name in chat may be selected to determine who receives a chat message. A member can also elect to ignore the chat messages of selected members and those messages will not be displayed. Pull downs  524  control how the chat appears in frame  514  (e.g., font, size, and color). In other examples users can attach thumbnail images to their chat posts, which are clickable for full-size. Users may insert links in their chat posts to calendar events, polls, messages on a message board, or web pages.  
         [0096]     Referring to  FIGS. 39A-39G , and  40  a message board  532  on page  530  is another way for users to communicate within a group. Messages  534  may be displayed in a summary view  536  of headings only, an expanded view  538 , with the message body shown, or a full view  540  with thumbnails  542  linked to attached photos and links to other message attachments, such as calendar event  546 , poll  547 , web sites, or other links. Message board  532  is searched by entering keyword(s) in field  548 , choosing search parameters with pull downs  550 , and choosing search result display parameters with pull downs  552 . Clicking on a message link  554  shows the details  556  of message  534 .  
         [0097]     New messages are composed on page  560 . A message subject and body are entered in fields  562  and  564  respectively. HTTP links may be entered in field  566 . A name for the link may be entered in field  568 . Poll links are chosen using pull down  570  and calendar links are chosen with pull downs  572 . Photos from a user&#39;s photo gallery may be attached by clicking button  574 .  
         [0098]     Referring to  FIG. 41 , one embodiment of the present invention has at least two levels of membership. In one example, “Gold” members have access to all features of the embodiment while regular members do not, such as being restricted from project and task list features. In another example, “Gold” members may be allocated more storage space for personal information, such as pictures. Other levels of membership may be incorporated.  
         [0099]     Referring to  FIG. 42 , page  590  offers users information about the community. Users can search a database of frequently asked questions, review legal policies, or ask other group members in a private message or on a public message board. A user can send messages to a the site&#39;s administrator and read replies. Press release and other public information may be access from page  590 .  
         [0100]     Referring to  FIGS. 43 and 44 A- 44 B, anyone may advertise, subject to approval by the site&#39;s administrators, in one or more selected communities or categories of communities by clicking on link  602  or check on her existing advertisements by clicking on link  604  found on page  600 . On page  610 , ad text is entered in field  612  and an optional URL may be entered in field  614 . Checkboxes  616  control which categories in which the advertiser wants the ad included.  
         [0101]     The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.