Multiple Communities Network

[cobradude]

Ok, so I run numerous communities all along the same theme but each aligned to a niche. I understand that many have wondered about sharing user/login information across sites and that would be optimal, but since that doesn't seem to be something that can be done right now, I'm wondering how you all networking the sites?

Here's my idea, though I don't know how to implement:

On forum home, I would like to have a section category/forum per community within my "network". This would pull in data (cached for a period of time) for primary forums from a networked site and essentially look like another category/forum to the user and link to the appropriate community (they would have to register if they haven't to post). They would see things like a link to latest post, thread and post counts, etc.

Additionally, I would like to have an overall "network" stats...like combined total members, posts, threads, posts, # of users/guests online (this could be cached).

My thinking is that as new sites are started within the network, that there's cross pollination, and the site doesn’t look bare or otherwise non busy, etc. My theory is that this will help motivate people to post as they are one of many vs. once of 10 when you're first starting up a board. As well, you keep members from your big sites within the "network".

Anyone know of a mod for something like this (I've looked)? Thanks for your time.