an information system . the system provides a user interface for selecting subject matter of interest to a user as well as various components for retrieving information items , for classifying information items to identify information items relating to the selected subject matter , for rating the identified information items , and for notifying the user about identified information items meeting a predetermined criteria . the system also includes components for requesting a subject mailer expert to apply a rating to the retrieved information items . the predetermined criteria typically include the information item having a rating exceeding an interest value set by the user .