Communication system and method

A computer program product comprising program code means which, when executed by a computer implement the steps of 1:

• retrieving a stored list comprising a plurality of contacts associated with a user of the communication client;
• generating a first two-dimensional contact grid comprising a first arrangement of entries;
• displaying the first contact grid on a display means such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, wherein the graphical representations are sized so as to fit in the entries of the first contact grid;
• receiving a selection of a subset of the graphical representations in the first contact grid from a user of the communication client;
• generating a second contact grid comprising a second arrangement of entries corresponding to the selected subset;
• displaying the second contact grid on the display means in replacement of the first contact grid, such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, and wherein the graphical representations are resized so as to fit in the entries of the second contact grid;
• receiving a selection of one of the graphical representations in the second contact grid from the user of the communication client;
• and
• initiating a communication event with the contact represented by the selected graphical representation via the packet-based communication network.

A media appliance, comprising:

• a memory storing a communication client application;
• a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network and output display signals to generate a user interface for display on a display means,
• wherein the media appliance is arranged to retrieve a stored list comprising a plurality of contacts associated with the user of the communication client, generate a first two-dimensional contact grid comprising a first arrangement of entries, output display signals to display the first contact grid on the user interface such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, wherein the graphical representations are sized so as to fit in the entries of the first contact grid, receive a selection of a subset of the graphical representations in the first contact grid from a user of the communication client, generate a second contact grid comprising a second arrangement of entries corresponding to the selected subset, output display signals to display the second contact grid on the display means in replacement of the first contact grid, such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, and wherein the graphical representations are resized so as to fit in the entries of the second contact grid, receive a selection of one of the graphical representations in the second contact grid from the user of the communication client, and initiate a communication event with the contact represented by the selected graphical representation via the packet-based communication network.