Abstract: A more efficient message notification system utilizing technology found in Instant Messaging Services. The more efficient system is achieved by first registering a Message Notification Application with an Instant Messaging Service. A user logs onto the Instant Messaging Service and indicates to the Message Notification Application that the user would like to be notified when new messages arrive. The Message Notification Application then adds the user to its own buddy list. The user is notified by the Message Notification Application through the Instant Messaging Service when a message is received. The user can then retrieve messages through an internet appliance with sound capabilities, or by utilizing the voice-to-text conversion capabilities of the application from the voice messaging or unified messaging server, or by more traditional methods such as a telephone.

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.