A system for building a database that stores information representative of the
organizational structure of a community of users of a computer network is disclosed.
The system uses an online computer applications service that facilitates the initiation
and completion of transactions between users in the community. Initially, a first
user from the community registers on the computer applications service and information
representative of the first user is stored in the database. Next, a first transaction
record is created in the database from information inputted by the first registered
user. The first transaction record includes at least one field representing an
identity of a first unregistered user in the community, a field representing a
role of the first registered user in the first transaction, and a field representing
a role of the first unregistered user in the first transaction. After creation
of the first transaction record, the first unregistered user is invited to register
with the service when information representative of the first transaction is sent
to the first unregistered user. In response to this invitation, the first unregistered
user registers with the service and information representative of the first unregistered
user is stored in the database, thereby transforming the first unregistered user
into a second registered user. After registration of the second user, further users
from the community are invited onto the service and registered on the database
by repeating the above process.