A system, method, and processor readable medium containing processor
readable program code embodied therein are provided that enable network
users to view one or more network user's status and to establish
communications with the one or more network users using a user indicator
in an electronic document (e.g., electronic mail message, hypertext
markup language document). The user indicator may be a network user's
login identification presented as a hypertext link to one or more
communication options. The system may include an identification module
for identifying the one or more network users. The identification module
may identify a network user's login identification (e.g., the network
user's name, employee number) and provide the network user's status using
the user indicator. A status module, responsive to the identification
module, provides the status of the network users. The status module may
provide a visual indication of a network user's status using, for
example, color coding, formatting, symbols, etc. A communication module
for establishing a communication link with the one or more network users
using the user indicator may also be provided. The communication module
may be used to establish a variety of communications with one or more of
the network users. For example, a user may chat, telephone, transmit an
electronic mail message, share one or more application programs,
whiteboard presentations, facsimile, or page to one or more of the
network users by selecting the user indicator using a conventional
computer mouse or keyboard.