Abstract: Information is conventionally downloaded from a computer network to a computer operated, by a user, such as when the user is surfing the Internet. Downloading of information is enhanced by downloading addictional information selected by the user during idle times when the conventionally downloaded information is not being downloaded. The additional information may comprise web pages or other information previously selected by the user, which is downloaded in the background during the idle times. A graphic user interface is provide for accepting user selections of the addictional information, which may be displayed in a browser connected to the graphic user interface. The additional information is cached at the user's computer and can be displayed at time selected by the user.

Abstract: The invention is an advertiser-supported interactive Web accelerator. It is a method for maximizing the use of available bandwidth while browsing the World Wide Web section of the Internet, by allowing users to dynamically pre-select content to be viewed next. The method reduces or eliminates the waiting associated with using the World Wide Web. The method utilizes an interface which displays itself in accompaniment with known Web browser software, onto which the user can dynamically select hyperlinks from a Web page displayed in the window of a browser by “dragging-&-dropping” them with a pointing device, such as a mouse. This procedure allows for the real-time background downloading of Web pages which the user designates as the next Web pages he/she wants to view, while he/she is viewing other content.