Apparatus and method for creating and using documents in a distributed computing network

1. A client for authoring an application for allowing users to create, control and distribute electronic content, the client communicating with a distributed computing network, the client comprising:

(a) a memory storing an instruction set and data representing the electronic content; and

(b) a processor for running the instruction set, the processor in communication with the memory and the distributed computing network, the processor programmed to

(i) construct a project of the electronic content from a plurality of resource files, the project presented in a canvas view having a concurrent presentation based on a selection of the canvas view by a user, the concurrent presentation comprising a canvas area for constructing screen elements of the selected resource files to create screens; a path area for illustrating graphically a relationship among nodes of the project; and a properties area for adjusting characteristics of the selected screen elements;

(ii) present a reader interface on a display of the client, the reader interface allowing a user to view the project, the reader interface being accessible from the canvas view; and

(iii) present a resource interface on the display of the client, the resource interface managing groups, membership in groups, and user accounts, said groups and user accounts having varying levels of control over the project; present in the resource interface a groups and users window comprising group icons; and present a members list window for one of the groups based on a selection of one of the group icons, the members list window displaying a list comprising individual members of the selected group and the member list window providing an ability to change group-specific privileges for the individual members of the selected group, the group-specific privileges comprising an ability to share one or more of the resource files.

2. A client as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to present a calendar interface for supporting distribution and return of resources and projects through calendar entries and for chronological planning and group management.

3. A client as recited in claim 1 , wherein the project nodes comprise one or more web screens, one or more individual resource files, one or more links to web addresses, and one or more links to email addresses.

4. A client as recited in claim 1 , wherein a linking of a chosen one of the screen elements in the canvas area to a destination node in the path area by a dragging motion is represented by a linking arrow appearing in the canvas view, the linking arrow having a tail anchored in the chosen screen element in the canvas area and the linking arrow having a head moving to a position of the destination node in the path area, the linking arrow disappearing based on a selection of the destination node by a drop of the linking arrow head on the destination node.

5. A client as recited in claim 1 , wherein the path area provides linking to a foreign file comprising a word processing file, a spreadsheet file, or a database file.

6. A client as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a visibility tool modifying an opacity of an image, allowing one or more of the screen elements that are behind the image to show through to a desired degree.