Patent ID: 7263529

Claim:
A method utilizing a computer for generating a list of information sources having an estimated value to a user wherein at least one information source is present comprising the steps of: a) receiving fixed information for each of a plurality of users; b) initializing profiles for each of said users in a user profile database with said fixed information; c) receiving monitored information relating to activities of a user; d) determining if said monitored information relates to a particular information source and, if so, determine a value rating associated with said user for said particular information source in accordance with said monitored information; e) creating an updated profile for said user in said profile database in accordance with said monitored information; f) if a value rating is determined, associating said value rating with said updated user profile and recording said value rating in said related value rating database; and g) determining if a list is to be generated; and if so g1) calculating an estimated value to said user of an information source as a function of said user's profile, profiles for others of said users, and value ratings for said information source associated with said other users profiles; g2) repeating step g1 until estimated values have been calculated for all of said information sources; g3) selecting and outputting to said user, or saving for later output, information sources having estimated values so that said user receiving the list of information sources will have a quantitative estimate of the likely value of each of the sources.