A method of real-time communication between a plurality of users each with
respective communication devices having associated displays, the method
comprising the steps of providing each of the plurality of users with
collaboration initiation software at their communication devices and
allowing at least first and second users to connect to at least one
communication network by logging in at their respective communication
devices. Further, the method comprises maintaining service records for at
least the first and second logged in users, the service records including
user identification information and an associated location where each
user is logged in. A display of a user identifier for at least the second
user on the display of at least a first user's communication device is
provided, thereby allowing the user to select the displayed second user's
identifier and retrieve necessary addressing information of the second
user so that a connection between the first and second users can be
established, thereby enabling real-time communication including video
images of at least one user and real-time text messages displayed on the
display associated with at least one user.