Port monitoring methods and arrangements for enhanced document distribution

An enhanced port monitor is provided for managing communications between a source device and a service device in support of a document/file-handling process. The port monitor can support local printing/storing of files and provide selected files to remotely located service providers. Service providers may, for example, provide printing services, document/content distribution services, etc. The port monitor is configured with an agent process that uploads device-independent data within a file to the service device associated with a selected service provider. The agent process is also configured to launch a browser or like process to provide an interactive interface for the user in selecting particular services/features and providing other additional information as required to the service device. The service device, for example, can be a web-server or the like that is operatively coupled to the source device via a network. As a result of the enhanced port monitor, only one driver, e.g., a generic application-independent print driver, need be used. Furthermore, the improved methods and arrangements provided may also be extended to other forms of information or content.