Abstract: An Internet-based computing and communications system includes a virtual desktop computer facility that resides on the Internet and is thereby available to its users at any time and from any location. The virtual desktop computer includes a suite of fully integrated web-based messaging, collaboration and personal information management applications. That system operates in conjunction with a buffer facility that can initiate simultaneous calls via multiple gateways anywhere on the Internet and which can, in turn, call regular telephone numbers as instructed over the Internet by users. An adaptive buffering technique reduces time delays and data-packet transmission over the Internet.