A method for creating an ordered reading list of predetermined length of
relevant topics from a hyperlinked database source of information website
for a user. The method includes determining at least one topic of
interest based on a plurality of methods and choosing a topic ordering
algorithm from a plurality of topic ordering algorithms. A top-down
schematic algorithm includes a page rank calculation performed by
iterating until a convergence. A bottom-up schematic algorithm includes a
linear parameterization of a ratio of an order from a plurality of source
topics to a plurality of sink topics of an article, and a horizontal
schematic algorithm includes an order parameterization by absolute
differences of a log of a plurality of ranks and an absolute difference
of a plurality of distances with analogous cutoff methods. The method
also includes calculating one of a plurality of topic ordering algorithms
based on the topic of interest and a user, updating the hyperlinked
database source of information, forming a reading list and ranking the
list based on the topic ordering algorithm, and outputting the ranking
and the list of reading materials to an interface depending on an outcome
of the topic ordering algorithm.