System and method for rule-pen based conversations in synchronous collaborative environment

摘要

A system and method for rule-pen based conversations in a synchronous collaborative environment is presented. A plurality of users participates in an online collaborative discussion. A first participant has a comment, such as a question, and does not know the other participants' skill sets. The first participant selects a rule pen that includes an associated rule. The first participant's client includes the rule and a comment in a message, and sends the message to a server. The server identifies qualified participants that meet the rule criteria, and forwards the message to the qualified participants. The qualified participants may modify the rule, and respond to the message accordingly.