System and method of serving communities of interest

摘要

A system and method of serving communities of interest (COIs) provide multiple network subscribers with simultaneous access to centrally served contact lists. A plurality of network-based applications may be applied to such centrally served lists. Administrative authorization may be assigned such that lists of valid viewers of a particular COI may be administered to support public access. Presence monitoring functionality may be implemented, apprising authorized viewers of the network connection status or availability of public COI members. Lists of valid modifiers, or administrators, for a particular COI may also be administered; a system and method operative in accordance with the present invention may validate access level or authorization prior to allowing modification of COI data record content.