A multi-purpose input device (2500) for providing conventional positional tracking, and one or more read capabilities for automatically connecting a user PC (302) to remote node. In one embodiment, a user reads optically encoded indicia (1606) of a product by passing the input device (2500) thereover. A software interface (2505) processes the read information, assembles a message packet, and appends routing information thereto to connect the user PC (302) to an ARS (308) disposed on a common network (306). The ARS (308) performs a matching operation with the received product information to obtain an associated network address of a vendor server (314) having the desired product information. The ARS (308) returns the vendor server address to the user PC (302) whereby the vendor advertiser server (312) is automatically accessed by the user PC (302). The respective product information is then returned from the vendor server (312) to the user PC (302) for presentation to the user.