Method and apparatus for continuous narrowcast of individualized information over a data network

A method of providing selected information to system users over a data network comprising the steps of:

• providing a least one source of information which includes information that is accessible over the data network;
• detecting connections established over the data network by at least one of the system users;
• scanning a system user database to identify selected types of information which the system users with established connections wish to receive via a narrowcast over the data network;
• establishing a connection with the at least one source of information, and locating and formatting the selected types of information resident on the at least one source of information;
• and
• narrowcasting the selected types of information to the subscribers which have established connections based on the information identified in the subscriber database.

A system for narrowcasting individualized information to system users through a data network, comprising:

• at least one source of information accessible through the data network, which provides information;
• and
• a server connectable to the data network comprising:
• a memory which includes a list of system user's and their data preferences;
• a processor which, based on information relative to the system users data preferences stored in the memory, accesses the at least one source of information and retrieves information relating to the data preferences;
• a convertor which converts the information retrieved to a common format;
• and
• a narrowcaster which receives the information from the processor and narrowcasts it over the data network to the subscriber.