Computer implemented method and apparatus for fulfilling a request for information content with a user-selectable version of a file containing that information content

A method of communication of a user-selected version of a file to a client connected to a server by a communications network, a version of the target file being materialized on the server, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting, at the client, a hyperlink that is a single point of access to a target file to initiate transmission of a version of the target file to the client, the target file having particular informational content, the hyperlink being independent of any version of the target file;
• (b) responsive to step (a), generating and displaying, at the client, a menu of user-selectable versions of the target file, at least one user-selectable version being derivable by conversion from a materialized version, the at least one user-selectable version not being materialized;
• (c) selecting, at the client, a user-selected version of the target file from the menu;
• and
• (d) receiving, at the client, the user-selected version of the target file.

A method for communicating between a client and a server interconnected to the client by a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a client's request for transfer of a file having particular informational content;
• (b) identifying a parent file embodying the informational content;
• (c) deriving, by conversion of the parent file, a derived version of the parent file, the derived version being a predetermined low resolution version that is established as a default version for delivery of files before receipt of the client's request for the parent file;
• and
• (d) transmitting the derived version to the client in response to the request wherein the proxy transmits a program for generating and displaying at the client a menu of user-selectable versions to a client along with the default version, wherein the client's request is received at the server, and wherein the server transmits the parent file to a proxy for relaying a communication between a sender and a receiver, the parent file being materialized at the server, and the proxy derives the derived version.