The present invention provides a method of distributing information over a computer network and displaying or playing the information, involving: transmitting the information from a server to a computer of a user via the network while the user is accessing the network; and subsequently displaying or playing the information at one or more predetermined times. The present invention provides a method of controlling the distribution of information over a computer network, involving: transmitting the information from a server to a computer of a user via the network; and creating a user profile containing usage information pertaining to that user concerning the information transmitted to the user, and personal information pertaining to the user; and storing identification information identifying the user with the profile on the user computer but not on the server. |