A method for reducing costs associated with communicating with a server system in a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via any one of a plurality of communication links, the method comprising steps for:
identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system having a second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link, wherein the first data transfer rate is faster than the second data transfer rate;
determining whether a prime usage time period applies to the first communication link;
if a prime usage time period applies to the first communication link and a communication request is not within the prime useage time period, preferring the first communication link for transmitting data between the client system and the server system, and other wise, preferring the second communication link for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and
communicating with the server system via the preferred communication link.