Method and apparatus for generating linking means and updating text files on a wide area network

Abstract

Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to methods for automatically generating a link means in E-mail, web pages and other documents and files presented to users of wide area computer networks, and for automatically updating text and other types of files on a wide area network with linking means to data desired to be presented to such users. In embodiments of the present invention, selected key words are stored in a memory location or key word file. A comparison is made between the words in a downloaded text file and the key words stored in the key word file. If a word is detected in the textual data and the key word file or files, the key word displayed to the user is converted into a linking means.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for generating a link means in a file and updating text in the file on a computer network, wherein a provider computer and a user computer are in communication via the computer network, and wherein the user computer is capable of accessing the file, comprising: 
 selecting key words and placing each key word a key word list;    creating an association between each key word and predefined data;    creating a linking means between the key word and the predefined data, wherein the user can access the predefined data via the linking means.    
     
     
         2 . A system for generating a link means in a file and updating text in that file on a computer network, wherein a provider computer and a user computer are in communication via the computer network, and wherein the user computer is capable of accessing the file, comprising: 
 a database for storing selected key words;    a means for creating an association between each key word and predefined data;    a means for creating a linking means between the key word and the predefined data, wherein the user can access the predefined data via the linking means.