Method and mechanism for a portal website architecture

A method for providing access to a notice board over a computer network, comprising:

• configuring a web provider to support a notice board portlet;
• receiving a first request for a web page from a user, the web page comprising the notice board portlet, wherein the notice board comprises restricting access by users, a user alias, and notice to a group for a specified duration;
• identifying the web provider at an application server based on the request;
• transmitting a second request to the web provider for content;
• parsing the second request at the web provider;
• checking, at the web provider, one or more central repositories to determine whether the content exists;
• fulfilling the second request with the content at the web provider;
• transmitting the information satisfying the second request from the web provider to the application server to be assembled in response to the first request for content by using information about the structure, appearance and operation of requested web page and the information obtained from the web provider;
• obtaining the content to be displayed in the notice board portlet from the web provider;
• assembling the requested web page at the application server, wherein the application server retrieves information about the structure, appearance, and operation of the web page from a database and thereafter composes the web page with the information and the content from the web provider and the database;
• and
• transmitting the web page to the user.

A method for providing access to a memo pad over a computer network, comprising:

• configuring a web provider to support a memo pad portlet;
• receiving a first request for a web page from a user, the web page comprising the memo pad portlet, wherein the memo pad portlet comprises restricting access by the identity of the user, a content screen, and a listing of one or more documents created by the user for a specified duration;
• identifying the web provider at an application server based on the request;
• transmitting a second request to the web provider for content;
• parsing the second request at the web provider;
• checking, at the web provider, one or more central repositories to determine whether the content exists;
• fulfilling the second request with the content at the web provider;
• transmitting the information satisfying the second request from the web provider to the application server to be assembled in response to the first request for content by using information about the structure, appearance and operation of requested web page and the information obtained from the web provider;
• obtaining the content to be displayed in the memo pad portlet from the web provider;
• assembling the requested web page at the application server, wherein the application server retrieves information about the structure, appearance, and operation of the web page from a database and thereafter composes the web page with the information and the content from the web provider and database;
• and
• transmitting the web page to the user.

A computer readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for providing access to a discussion forum over a computer network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to:

• configure a web provider to support a discussion forum portlet;
• receive a first request for a web page from a user, the web page comprising the discussion forum portlet, the discussion forum portlet hosting at least one of the one or more discussion forums, wherein the at least one of the one or more discussion forums comprises restricting access through a password, a moderator alias, and at least one of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link or announcements for a specified duration;
• identify the web provider at an application server based on the request;
• transmit a second request to the web provider for content;
• parse the second request at the web provider;
• check, at the web provider, one or more central repositories to determine whether the content exists;
• fulfill the second request with the content at the web provider;
• transmit the information satisfying the second request from the web provider to the application server to be assembled in response to the first request for content by using information about the structure appearance and operation of requested web page and the information obtained from the web provider;
• obtain the content to be displayed in the discussion forum portlet from the web provider;
• assemble the requested web page at the application server, wherein the application server retrieves information about the structure, appearance, and operation of the web page from a database and thereafter composes the web page with the information and the content from the web provider and the database;
• and
• transmit the web page to the user.

A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for providing access to a notice board over a computer network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to:

• configure a web provider to support a notice board portlet;
• receive a first request for a web page from a user, the web page comprising the notice board portlet, wherein the notice board comprises restricting access by users, a user alias, and notice to a group for a specified duration;
• identify the web provider at an application server based on the request;
• transmit a second request to the web provider for content;
• parse the second request at the web provider;
• check, at the web provider, one or more central repositories to determine whether the content exists;
• fulfill the second request with the content at the web provider;
• transmit the information satisfying the second request from the web provider to the application server to be assembled in response to the first request for content by using information about the structure, appearance and operation of requested web page and the information obtained from the web provider;
• obtain the content to be displayed in the notice board portlet from the web provider;
• assemble the requested web page at the application server, wherein the application server retrieves information about the structure, appearance, and operation of the web page from a database and thereafter composes the web page with the information and the content from the web provider and database;
• and
• transmit the web page to the user.

A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for providing access to a memo pad over a computer network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to:

• configure a web provider to support a memo pad portlet;
• receive a first request for a web page from a user, the web page comprising the memo pad portlet, wherein the memo pad portlet comprises restricting access by the identity of the user, a content screen, and a listing of one or more documents created by the user for a specified duration;
• identify the web provider at an application server based on the request;
• transmit a second request to the web provider for content;
• parse the second request at the web provider;
• check, at the web provider, one or more central repositories to determine whether the content exists;
• fulfill the second request with the content at the web provider;
• transmit the information satisfying the second request from the web provider to the application server to be assembled in response to the first request for content by using information about the structure, appearance and operation of requested web page and the information obtained from the web provider;
• obtain the content to be displayed in the memo pad portlet from the web provider;
• assemble the requested web page at the application server, wherein the application server retrieves information about the structure, appearance, and operation of the web page from a database and thereafter composes the web page with the information and the content from the web provider and database;
• and
• transmit the web page to the user.