Persistent, spatial collaboration on the web supports a free-form, user-intuitive approach to a variety of projects and activities. Users can place differing object types at any time any where on a web page and/or the system can automatically, and with no user effort, affect object placement based on one or more meta data characteristics. A user can, in real-time, see changes made by another user to a web page, and, if desired, react accordingly, enabling true collaboration even if the various users are at remote locations. The flexibility of the methodology and system provides a platform for users to engage in projects and activities in a manner and environment suited to the users' mind sets, creativity, and natural proclivities.