sorry perhaps i should explain the limitations i am forced to work under. First we dont own the web server nor can can we get to the server by any means other than via a web browser or ftp. Second we can only run on there script code, not compiled progrmas nor can we compile any so that restricts the chat server to be coded as perl or php (i had a successful test with perl). Thirdly I am super new to network programing which this is, i can data manipulate with the best of them but this is a new field so a daemon may be the best answer, but i haven't a clue as to what a daemon is nor how to get one written in perl or how to start it up from a web browser, any and all input would be appreciated