PRIVATE-PUBLIC CHAT FUNCTIONALITY

1 . A public-private chat system comprising a server for:

initiating a private chat between a first chat participant using a first computing device and a second chat participant using a second computing device;

receiving a request to convert the private chat into a public chat available for viewing by a non-participating chat viewer, the request from the first computing device;

automatically sending a notification to followers of at least one of the first chat participant and the second chat participant that the public chat is about to commence; and

enabling access to the chat by the non-participating chat viewer.

2 . The public-private chat system of claim 1 , wherein the server is further for receiving an acceptance of the request to convert from the second computing device before automatically sending a notification to followers of at least one of the first chat participant and the second chat participant that the public chat is about to commence.

3 . The public-private chat system of claim 1 wherein the chat comprises an audio stream and a video stream, each made up of audio components and video components from the first computing device and the second computing device.

4 . The public-private chat system of claim 1 wherein the notification includes a selected one of a hyperlink, an embedded video file, and a mobile device notification.

5 . The public-private chat system of claim 1 further comprising a third computing device associated with a second non-participating chat viewer, wherein the third computing device is configured to automatically begin accessing the public chat upon receipt of the notification.

6 . The public-private chat system of claim 1 wherein the server is further for:

receiving a request to end the public chat from one of the first computing device and second computing device;

disabling access by the non-participating chat viewer to the public chat; and

continuing a chat between the first chat participant and the second chat participant as a renewed private chat.

7 . The public-private chat system of claim 1 wherein the server is further for:

receiving a conversion request by the non-participating chat viewer to become a third chat participant;

receiving acceptance of the conversion request from at least one of the first chat participant and the second chat participant; and

enabling the third chat participant to participate in the public chat.

8 . The public-private chat system of claim 7 wherein the third chat participant participates in the public chat for a pre-determined time period after which the participation of the third chat participant is disabled and the third chat participant again becomes the non-participating chat viewer.

9 . The public-private chat system of claim 8 wherein the pre-determined time period is selected by one of the first chat participant and second chat participant.

10 . A method comprising:

initiating a private chat between a first chat participant using a first computing device and a second chat participant using a second computing device;

receiving a request to convert the private chat into a public chat available for viewing by a non-participating chat viewer, the request from the first computing device;

receiving an acceptance of the request to convert from the second computing device;

automatically sending a notification to followers of at least one of the first chat participant and the second chat participant that the public chat is about to commence; and

enabling access to the chat by the non-participating chat viewer.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving an acceptance of the request to convert from the second computing device before automatically sending a notification to followers of at least one of the first chat participant and the second chat participant that the public chat is about to commence.

12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the chat comprises an audio stream and a video stream, each made up of audio components and video components from the first computing device and the second computing device.

13 . The method of claim 10 wherein the notification includes a selected one of a hyperlink, an embedded video file, and a mobile device notification.

14 . The method of claim 10 further comprising a third computing device associated with one non-participating chat viewer, wherein the third computing device is configured to automatically begin accessing the public chat upon receipt of the notification.

15 . The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a request to end the public chat from one of the first computing device and second computing device;

disabling access by the non-participating chat viewer to the public chat; and

continuing a chat between the first chat participant and the second chat participant as a renewed private chat.

16 . The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a conversion request by the non-participating chat viewer to become a third chat participant;

receiving acceptance of the conversion request from at least one of the first chat participant and the second chat participant; and

enabling the third chat participant to participate in the public chat.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the third chat participant participates in the public chat for a pre-determined time period after which the participation of the third chat participant is disabled and the third chat participant again becomes the non-participating chat viewer.

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the pre-determined time period is selected by one of the first chat participant and second chat participant.