Abstract: An information providing system includes a client that obtains user information and sends the information to a server; and the server that manages the user information sent from the client for each user and, based on the user information, selects information to be sent to the client. The client performs a pseudo conversation with a user to obtain a user's taste as the user information.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for allowing a user access to a plurality of services through a common access point. A service providing system includes the common access point and allows the user access with, for example, one user identifier (ID) and password. The user then requests a specific service and the service providing system, if it does not have the specific service, manages access to another service providing system to provide the specific service to the user. The services provided may be common or segregated by a criteria, such as area. For example a user in a certain area may receive services from service providers in his/her area.