User configurable control panel capable of displaying Internet-derived information

A printer, comprising:

• at least one printer subsystem configured to perform a primary function of said printer;
• at least one control panel including a user configurable display screen and a screen select button;
• and
• a central processing unit, the central processing unit capable of establishing and maintaining a connection with a pre-programmed Internet site, directing the display of Internet-derived information unrelated to said at least one printer subsystem within said user configurable display screen, directing the display of functional information relating to said at least one printer subsystem within said user configurable display screen, and directing the reconfiguration of said user configurable display screen to one of a plurality of programmed display screen configurations.

A method for using a printer to interact with an Internet site, comprising;

• providing a printer including at least one printer subsystem configured to perform a primary function of said printer, a control panel having a display screen and a plurality of input devices, the printer being capable of substantially continuously maintaining an Internet connection with an Internet site and presenting Internet-derived information and presenting functional information relating to said at least one printer subsystem within the display screen;
• actuating at least one of said plurality of input devices to manipulate the Internet-derived information presented within the display screen;
• and
• reviewing the Internet derived information presented in the display screen.