Abstract: The mechanisms of the present invention model real life by providing subconversations through several different, yet complimentary, features. One feature is referred to as conversation separation. When enabled by a user, conversation separation is used to create subconversations by identifying groups of users that are speaking with one another. Another user configurable feature is referred to as distance recognition. Distance recognition creates subconversations by considering the logical distance between users within a groupware object. A feature that is related to distance recognition is referred to as “priority conversation.” If enabled, priority conversation maintains a user within a subconversation as the user moves away from the location of the other users so long as the user that is moving away continues to participate in the subconversation.