Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present
invention provide the ability to receive a communication (such as an electronic
mail message) using a particular content server within a network. A minimal amount
of information is received, such as an instruction set and a basic amount of content
information. The instruction set is analyzed to determine references to content
stored on a particular one of the content servers, namely the content server that
is closest to an anticipated access point for the communication. While executing
the instruction set and displaying the basic content information, a request for
the communication's content is generated and sent to the content server. The content
is received from the content server closest to the anticipated access point (typically
the one closest to the requesting node), usually in a streaming format. The content
is then displayed for the intended recipient.