Patent ID: 8898282

Claim:
A system, comprising: a machine connected to a network, the machine having a database storing a plurality of policies; a first individual status identifier corresponding to a first user using a first device connected to the network; a second individual status identifier corresponding to a second user using a second device connected to the network; a third individual status identifier corresponding to a third user using a third device connected to the network; a first group status identifier corresponding to a first group, wherein the first and second users are members of the first group; a second group status identifier corresponding to a second group, wherein the first and third users are members of the second group; and a user/group status identifier determination module on the machine operable to update the first group status identifier based at least in part on an update to the first individual status identifier and the second individual status identifier, wherein the update to the first group status identifier is subject to at least one override set by a user, wherein visibility of each of the first individual status identifier, the second individual status identifier, and the first group status identifier to members of the first group is based on at least a first one of the plurality of policies stored on the machine, wherein the user/group status identifier determination module is further operable to update the second group status identifier based at least in part on an update to the first individual status identifier and the third individual status identifier, wherein visibility of each of the first individual status identifier, the third individual status identifier, and the second group status identifier to members of the second group is based on at least a second one of the plurality of policies stored on the machine.