Abstract: In a chat system, chat servers are disposed in a distributed fashion in different regions. A client terminal issues an opening request for opening a chat room in response to a user's action. A gateway acquires the region of the client terminal as a request source from the opening request signal. A relay point allocation server selects an appropriate chat server or a region thereof from the standpoint of regions and communication speeds, and requests the chat server to open a chat room. The chat server relays chat data among the client terminals.

Abstract: A user management server, a terminal, an information display system, a user management method, an information display method, a program, and an information storage medium are provided to enable a user to have less trouble than with existing techniques in registering users disclosing their real names. In response to a first operation to designate a user, a friend management data registration part registers the user as a user in a first relation involving disclosure of a nickname. In response to a second operation to designate a user already registered as a user in the first relation, the friend management data registration part registers the user as a user in a second relation involving disclosure of a real name as well. In response to a third operation to designate a user not registered as a user in the first relation, the friend management data registration part registers the user as a user in the first and the second relations.

Abstract: An information processing system is provided which determines whether a session in which an invited user has been invited to participate is still valid or not before participation in the session. The information processing system includes: storing status information indicating whether each of a plurality of sessions offering a service possibly participated in by the user is valid or not; and storing a plurality of items of invitation information about a plurality of invitations each being an invitation for the invited user to participate in one of the sessions. Each client device acquires one of the plurality of items of invitation information about the invitation for the user using the client device to become the invited user, and displays on a display screen the acquired item of invitation information in a manner reflecting the status information.

Abstract: A user management server, a terminal, an information display system, a user management method, an information display method, a program, and an information storage medium are provided to enable a user to have less trouble than with existing techniques in registering users disclosing their real names. In response to a first operation to designate a user, a friend management data registration part registers the user as a user in a first relation involving disclosure of a nickname. In response to a second operation to designate a user already registered as a user in the first relation, the friend management data registration part registers the user as a user in a second relation involving disclosure of a real name as well. In response to a third operation to designate a user not registered as a user in the first relation, the friend management data registration part registers the user as a user in the first and the second relations.

Abstract: An information processing system is provided which determines whether a session in which an invited user has been invited to participate is still valid or not before participation in the session. The information processing system includes: storing status information indicating whether each of a plurality of sessions offering a service possibly participated in by the user is valid or not; and storing a plurality of items of invitation information about a plurality of invitations each being an invitation for the invited user to participate in one of the sessions. Each client device acquires one of the plurality of items of invitation information about the invitation for the user using the client device to become the invited user, and displays on a display screen the acquired item of invitation information in a manner reflecting the status information.