The system provides a method and apparatus for sorting and displaying information from a BBS. The system provides a method of sorting and presenting messages from a BBS in a way so that the relationship in message threads can be easily observed and related messages can be identified. The system provides a way to view messages and map message threads in two and three dimensions so that the content of messages can be easily reviewed and the relationship between messages can be seen and followed. The system allows a user to enter into a message thread at any point and to then produce a visualization of the related threads and messages associated with each individual message. The system provides interfaces for either a linear or threaded BBS or even a hybrid BBS that is some combination of linear and threaded.