>Generic Problem: HTML was developed in the late 1980's to promote seientific
>communictions. In a virtual conference, you need both open conference space
>and some *private* meeting rooms where access is restricted. These private
>rooms are used for preliminary discussions, planning meetings, and other
>discussions where you don't want random people just dropping in.
>
>The privte rooms would have several requirements:
>
> Easy access for participants - i.e. no special client software beyond a Web
>browser. This will be used by scientists - as was the original HTML.
>
Web browser interface. Uses CGI.
> Some access control - e.g. E-mail address and a password such as the
>group's
>name. "Locks to keep honest people out" and stats to indicate unauthorized
>admission.
Uses an email address and a computer generated password. No stats, though.
> A forum/conference room which allows discussion threads.
Hierearchical display of threads.
>Specific problem: The problem was posed by a friend at Princeton University
>who was annyoyed at having missed an important E-mail message about a NSF
>grant proposal because the message was buried in administrative, student, and
>personal E-mail. He would like a simple *private* forum/newsgroup to
>coordinate grant development with collaborative researchers at other
>universities.
I hope this is what you need.
Mike
P.S. If you need live chat, check out WebChat, though that has no security.
I have my own in operation, dedicated to FutureBASIC, at:
http://www.ids.net/~paumic/FutureBasic/WebChat/nph-client.cgi.