SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR A NETWORK-BASED CONTENT EXCHANGE SYSTEM

A system, method and computer program product are provided for providing a content exchange system. A request is received from a user utilizing a local system. A determination is made as to whether the user request can be fulfilled from information stored by the local system. The request is fulfilled from a local data source if the request can be fulfilled locally. If the request cannot be fulfilled locally, the request is fulfilled at a network site. A content directory connected to the network site is examined for selecting one or more network data sites having content potentially satisfying the request. The request is sent to the data site(s). Content pertaining to the request is received from the data site(s) and sent to the user.