A central computer system preferably communicates with local computers of
users over the Internet and stores account information of users.
Preferably, users may interact with information provided by the central
computer system or third party computer systems. The availability of such
information is preferably controlled by a different user. The central
system preferably stores data representing rewards available to the users
as a result of interaction with such information. The users preferably
may obtain products or services, in accordance with the stored rewards,
wherein at least some of such products or services are promoted by a
different user, which provides financing for at least some of the items
obtained with the reward. Preferably, the central system includes
administrative software that may provide monitoring and managing
performance of the system, fraud detection, and management of the
information available to the users.