Abstract: A method is disclosed to streamline the process of collaboration. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a plurality of individuals are associated with an electronic document or application of interest. The illustrative embodiment includes the operations of activating the document or application and then initiating communication between at least some of the associated individuals by a single action or command.

Abstract: A client application (121) is automatically adapted to communicate between its corresponding terminal (107-109) and a server (101) via any communications network (102-104) that supports any of the protocols that the client application supports. The client application is administered (135) during installation to support a plurality of protocols one of which is designated (225) as being preferred. The application first attempts (300-310) to establish a communications channel by using the preferred protocol. If that fails, the application attempts (315-325) to establish the communications channel by using another supported protocol. Success of either attempt leads the application to determine (340) if another channel is needed, and if so, to attempt to establish it by using the successful protocol. Failure of this last attempt leads the application to repeat the first attempt.