Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an online services network. The directory service comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers.” Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. A common application program interface is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Various forms of node filtering, including language-based filtering and access rights filtering, are performed by the Directory Service Providers to determine which nodes to show end users.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an online services network comprises multiple, separate services (Directory Service Providers) runs on application servers and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure. Nodes of directory structures representing online services may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes provide usertransparent links between the different directory structures which appear to end users as a single hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) implemented by the Directory Service Providers allows client applications to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Data items shared by multiple nodes are optionally stored by the Directory Service Providers within a shared database and can be accessed via special API methods. Nodes are selected for display to end users using various forms of node filtering at the Directory Service Providers.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: The on-line content editing system of the present invention operates as an extension of a computer's operating system to provide a graphical interface which displays system operator editing menus. Using multiple node editors, the editing system allows system operators to create, modify, link, unlink and delete content nodes in the on-line network. The editing system further allows a system operator to organize services and information content independent of a specific hardware implementation. This allows, for instance, a system operator to manage subsections of the on-line network regardless of where those subsections actually reside in the on-line network hardware. Furthermore, the editing system allows service providers to create specialized node editors. These specialized node editors are then used by multiple system operators to manage their assigned subsections of the on-line network. In addition, the editing system automatically identifies and invokes the proper node editor for a selected content node.