The present invention is directed to a network communication system that provides
textual communication and call transferring between nodes. The system further allows
simultaneous notification of multiple nodes of an incoming call. The system includes
a local computer that may also serve as a node in the system. A call may originate
with the local computer or be generated by a remote device that is in communication
with the local computer. The local computer generates a call indicator that is
transmitted to one or more nodes simultaneously. Selection of the nodes may be
based on user intervention or by predefined groupings. Each node receiving a call
indicator is configured to generate a ring message in response. The ring message
is displayed on an output device to alert a node user to the incoming call. In
response to the ring message, a node user may choose to accept or decline the call.
A node user's responses to the call indicator are transmitted to the local computer.
Once the local computer receives an acceptance from a node, the local computer
transmits call data representative of the call to the accepting node.