Communication Channel Selection and Use

A method for selecting a communication channel, comprising:

• requesting content from a first target, wherein the requested content includes a plurality of items of information, wherein requesting content includes:
• making a first request, wherein the first request is for a first item of information included in the plurality of items of information;
• making a second request, wherein the second request is for a second item of information included in the plurality of items of information;
• characterizing the first item of information as a first type of information;
• characterizing the second item of information as a second type of information, wherein the first and second types are different;
• selecting a first communication channel for use in obtaining the first item of information;
• selecting the first communication channel or a second communication channel for use in obtaining the second item of information;
• in response to assigning the first priority to the first request, initiating the first request;
• in response to assigning the second priority to the second request, initiating the second request.

A communication system, comprising:

• a plurality of communication channels, wherein each of the plurality of communication channels is capable of supporting communications with a first target;
• means for enabling communications between at least the first target and a user over the plurality of communication channels, including:
• means for obtaining a collection of content from the first target;
• means for generating a list of items included in the collection of content;
• means for assigning a priority to at least two of the items included in the collection of content;
• means for assigning individual ones of the means for providing a communication channel included in the plurality of means for providing a communication channel for use in obtaining a corresponding ones of the items included in the collection of content,
• wherein a first one of the means for providing a communication channel included in the plurality of means for providing a communication channel is assigned to obtain a first item of the at least two of the items included in the collection of content,
• wherein a second one of the means for providing a communication channel included in the plurality of means for providing a communication channel is assigned to obtain a second item of the at least two of the items included in the collection of content,
• wherein the first item is assigned a higher priority than the second item, and
• wherein the first means for providing a communication channel is determined to be capable of supplying requested items more quickly than the second channel.