Abstract: Printing over the Internet by a print driver, accessible by at least one application program, so as to output print data for transmission over the Internet, by receiving a print request from an application program to print over the Internet, rendering print data to be transmitted over the Internet into a printing definition language, and packaging the rendered print data with a protocol for transmission over the Internet. The print driver further obtains service provider information, the service provider information representing at least one destination for which the print data can be transmitted to over the Internet. A graphical user interface may provide an interface for obtaining user information and service provider information.

Abstract: A method to create a virtual print market place using one or more interconnected computers comprising collecting market information comprising an identity of service providers and the print services and pricing provided by each, obtaining criteria established by an interactive shop for selecting service providers to provide print services offered to patrons of the interactive shops; and selecting service providers to provide the set of print services based on the criteria and the market information. In another aspect, a method of creating a market place is provided comprising obtaining bids from service providers identifying print services and terms for providing the print services as well as from interactive shops identifying print services and terms for purchasing the print services and establishing an agreement between the service provider and the interactive shop when the terms are compatible.

Abstract: Printing over the Internet by a print driver, accessible by at least one application program, so as to output print data for transmission over the Internet, by receiving a print request from an application program to print over the Internet, rendering print data to be transmitted over the Internet into a printing definition language, and packaging the rendered print data with a protocol for transmission over the Internet. The print driver further obtains service provider information, the service provider information representing at least one destination for which the print data can be transmitted to over the Internet. A graphical user interface may provide an interface for obtaining user information and service provider information.

Abstract: Viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network. Each of the network devices is repeatedly polled over the network by a network management server for configuration information, which is stored in a database. A first URL-encoded request is received from a requesting station, which is preferably a web browser. The first request identifies a targeted one of the network devices. Responsive to the first request, a response is dynamically generated. The response is representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database. The response is sent to the requesting station, and a second URL-encoded request is received from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices. Responsive to the second request, the database is updated based on the configuration data.