To be able to enter a mailing list you have to have an e-mail address. Newsgroups are open to all and you can join them using the newsgroup function of your Internet browser. Agent services and webcasting represent the latest in Internet information searching. Many agents are basically so-called bloodhounds who on the searcher's behalf go round looking for information, for example, in the indexes of search engines. Most intelligent agent services are able to function on the basis of fairly vague hints and they can learn to refine searches based on the way you have used previous search results.
Many search services are fee-based after a free trial period.
Pointcast is an example of webcasting. Some of this type of services are fee-based. In an extensive, systematic information search such as is required for example for a thesis, it is recommendable to use a good variety of Internet search services. New information is best found on lists of new resources , mailing lists and newsgroups, as well as via agent services. B Sometimes it is worth looking for the information provider rather than the information source.