Patent ID: 8631078

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, comprising: loading a webpage including software code embedded in the webpage, the software code including data describing a location in a configuration server that stores a configuration file; fetching, based at least in part on the location included in the software code, the configuration file that includes one or more design parameters from the configuration server in response to the software code being executed due to loading of the webpage, the one or more design parameters including data for generating a presence element that indicates a status of an owner of a widget related to a first instant messaging user interface; rendering the first instant messaging user interface on the webpage using the fetched configuration file; allowing communications between the first instant messaging user interface and a first server having an instant messaging gateway service; sending first instructions from the first server to a second server, the first instructions establishing an anonymous instant messenger account for a first user using the first instant messaging user interface; sending a request to a web-based instant messaging server, the request initiating an instant messaging session with a second instant messaging user interface, the request requiring a permission to receive presence information of the first user using the first instant messaging user interface; determining if a second user is using the second instant messaging user interface; responsive to determining that the second user is using the second instant messaging user interface, sending a prompt to the second user to respond to the request; and assigning a unique identifier to the first client using a hash algorithm, the unique identifier stored on the web-based instant messaging server.