Many programs today suffer from the fact that their users have to connect using IP addresses. This is impossible for dialup users, whose IPs change all the time, and painful for LAN users who don t know their IP addresses or whose addresses also change. In addition, many collaborative programs could benefit from offering friends lists, showing friends as online or offline, providing status information. This kind of functionality is hard to provide, requiring a dedicated Internet database and a new client - client protocol. But it is offered today through a system called AwareNet, which is offered free of charge and royalty-Many programs today suffer from the fact th at their users have to connect using IP addresse s. This is impossible for dialup users, whose IPs change all the time, and painful for LAN users who do not know their IP a ddresses or whose addresses also change. In add ition. many collaborative programs could benefit fro m offering friends lists, showing friends as online or offline. providing status information. This kind of fun ctionality is hard to provide. requiring a dedicated Internet database and a n ew client-client protocol. But it is offered to day through a system called AwareNet. which is offered free of charge and royalty