SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS UPON A DYNAMICALLY CONFIGURED MEMBER NETWORK

A dynamically configured user network services a plurality of network members. A metanetwork definition identifies the members of the dynamic manifest network and provides the rules by which the network members establish links among themselves and communicate. Each of the network members employs a client communication device to communicate with another network member according to the metanetwork definition. Another centrally located computer, a network friend, may assist in setting upon and managing the dynamic manifest network via creating and altering the metanetwork definition. At a minimum, each client communication device includes a network interface, a processor and an interface to a coupled computer or to a client. The client communication device may include a voice interface, a display, a disk drive (or other storage), a network interface and other components. The client communication device may take differing forms to provide telephone functions and PC functions along with the communication functions it provides. The network friend has the basic structure of a web server and may facilitate transactions via the Internet and/or the PSTN. A metanetwork definition is setup by an initiating network member. The metanetwork definition defines the dynamic manifest network and how communications will occur within the dynamic manifest network. A local view of the metanetwork is then created for each network member. A respective local view of the metanetwork is then provided to each network member. Each network member then establishes links with other network members and communicates with the other network members according to the local view.