A multicast processor minimizes the software resource needed to process multicast protocol and broadcast protocol for bridges and routers in a network processor based environment. The system includes an adhesive dispensing module for individually applying adhesive to the elastic strands. Each agent’s off process time may be measured or determined. Different types of interactions, including inbound hyperlinks, outbound hyperlinks and internal links associated with a Web-based information resource, are used to characterize the Web-based information resource.