Patent ID: 7234117

Claim:
A graphical user interface associated with a group interaction application for facilitating an online group interaction among a first online member of a group and at least one other online member of the group over a network, the identity of the group members is saved as a group when the group is offline, comprising: a group space comprising a first display area for displaying material associated with a first group activity in which each of the at least one other online group members participates; a skin drop target for receiving an indication of a visual effect dropped by the first online member and for thereby causing the appearance of the group space to be altered consistent with the dropped indication of a visual effect; and at least one control selectable by the first online member for selecting at least one other activity and for thereby automatically causing to be displayed in the group space a second display area for displaying material associated with at least a second group activity in which each of the at least one other online group members participates, each of the at least one other online group members is automatically shown and can interact with display areas corresponding to both the first and the second display areas.