push technology
A data distribution technology in which selected data are automatically delivered into the user's computer at prescribed intervals or based on some event that occurs. Although no longer in service, PointCast was the first Internet product to become popular for pushing selected news and stock quotes into a user's machine at prescribed intervals.
Contrast with "pull technology," in which the user specifically asks for something by performing a search or requesting an existing report, video or other data type. Browsing the Web is an example of the pull model. See push e-mail, PointCast, BackWeb and Active Channel.
