frequency or the like the pattern matching portion 520 allows a user to select for example messages from to or about specified criteria upon selection of the pattern matching and frequency monitoring characteristics a user finalizes and creates the sampling rule which is stored in the sampling rule management device 210 fig4 illustrates an exemplary message display user interface 600 the exemplary message display user interface 600 comprises an illustrative digest 610 the digest 610 comprises for example an index 620 of the messages within the digest and the message bodies themselves 630 fig5 illustrates an exemplary user interface 700 which illustrates an exemplary sampling of electronic messages 710 the sampling includes an indication portion 720 summarizing the sampling criteria additionally the sample message 710 comprises a location portion 730 summarizing where all messages that match the candidate selection rules have been stored fig6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of managing a digest according to this invention in particular control begins in s 100 and continues to s 110 in s 110 the electronic message selection criteria are established next in s 120 one or more information streams are monitored then in s 130 a determination is made whether the selection criteria have been met if the selection criteria have been met control continues to s 140 otherwise control jumps to s 180 in s 140 the appropriate digest is determined for the selected electronic message next in s 150 a determination is made whether a new digest is required for the selected electronic message if a new digest is required control continues to s 160 where a new digest is.