A communication system utilizes an activity monitor that is operable to collect data, convert data, display data, and communicate data. Web portal and activity monitor are operable to communicate data between one another. Web portal enables a user to monitor an individual or population's activity data. Activity monitor enables user to toggle through one or more activity modes to be displayed. Activity monitor constantly measures a user's activity. Auxiliary mode enables user to track data that can be unrelated to activity data. Special event mode on activity monitor enables a user or machine to begin and to end a special event, while the activity monitor measures activity data during the special event.