1. A method of exchanging information between clients on a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: a name service receiving from a client: published data, key information that identifies one or more keys associated with said published data, and modification entity information that indicates the identity of one or more modification entities associated with said published data; said name service storing an entry that associates said published data with said one or more keys; said name service receiving from a client a request to modify data associated with said one or more keys; said name service inspecting said modification entity information to determine whether said client is permitted to modify data associated with said one or more keys; and if said client is permitted to modify data associated with said one or more keys, then said name service modifying said data associated with said one or more keys.