Abstract: A method and system for communication and trade on a network, in which information is directed at the computer screen of a consumer by merchants of goods, services, or information. A lending partner would provide the initial capital to offer the consumer an incentive for signing up for the system, and for supplying pertinent information about herself. A management system would integrate the merchant information with consumer information, to send a targeted stream of information to the user. Purchases could be made from the system, whether connected to the network or not. Background data transfer or auto-refreshing of data would be options for the system. The lending partner would be repaid for the consumer's incentive from revenues paid into the management system related to each individual consumer transaction.

Abstract: A computer network system gathers, organizes and stores information about products, product offers, and customers, and the parties for whom the customers wish to purchase gifts. This customer information is gathered, organized and stored in the system information computer. Based on information about the customer's needs, as collected, the service compares the information regarding the customer's needs and the products and offers in its database. The service then delivers tailored product offers and/or informative displays to the customer based upon these needs. These product offer and/or informative displays are delivered from an information system computer over a communication network and stored on the customer's display device. The customer can then create or accept transactions. These product offers and transactions and/or informative displays can be processed immediately and/or reserved for later processing.