Asynchronous hypertext messaging

One or more computer readable media storing instructions which, when executed, perform a method of receiving asynchronous hypertext messages from a server at a client interconnected by network, said method comprising:

• transmitting to said server, from said client, a HTTP request identifying said client;
• receiving an initiation of a virtual connection from said server at said client, wherein said initiation comprises a HTTP header signifying to the client to maintain a web browser connection throughout the virtual connection by indicating an HTML document size larger than an amount expected to be transmitted in a predetermined amount of time;
• receiving at said client an asynchronous hypertext message encoded in said HTML document from said server via said virtual connection;
• and
• maintaining said virtual connection by periodically refreshing said HTML document at said client.

A data server-implemented method of communicating asynchronous hypertext messages with a client interconnected by a network, said method comprising:

• receiving a HTTP request identifying said client;
• initiating a virtual connection between said server and said client by sending data to the client causing the client to maintain an open web browser connection with the server by indicating a document size larger than an amount expected to be transmitted in a predetermined amount of time;
• transmitting a plurality of asynchronous hypertext messages to said client via said virtual connection;
• and
• maintaining said virtual connection by, in response to receiving a refresh request from said client, re-initiating the virtual connection.