INTERNET MESSAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN COMPUTER NETWORKS

A system and method that provides integrated combinations of threaded instant messages, open display bulletin boards, private bulletin boards, threaded e-mail, explicit acknowledgment of messages, and conferencing, whisper and talk modes. The system can be implemented in any Internet-based computer network, including the Internet, intranets and extranets. System components include a server application, a client application and a data repository maintained by the server. The server records in the data repository pertinent information regarding all communications between and requests issued by system users, and handles the communications and requests cooperatively with the client application in accordance with the system mode being exercised (e.g., talk, conferencing, whisper, mail, messaging, open display, private bulletin boards, etc.). In an embodiment where the server and client applications are web based, the server application sends all information to the client application in the form of web pages, which the user of the client can view and respond to using a browser. For example, when implementing open display, the server application formats the messages sent to a user so that the messages' contents are directly displayed on a bulletin board along with threading information. As another example, when implementing private bulletin boards, the server application creates private message boards for each user that allow each user to access only those messages in which he participates (as sender or recipient). When a user acknowledges a message, the server application closes the thread including the message and permits no additional activity in that thread.