Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a database-accessing application to access current LDAP directory data is provided. According to one aspect, a database command that creates a database view is executed. The database view presents the results of a query on a table function that returns data from an LDAP directory. Because the results presented by the view contents are determined at the time that the view is queried, the view is always consistent with the directory. The database command may assign, to the view, a label that is assigned to a database table that an application is designed to access, so that whenever the application would attempt to access an object that corresponds to the label, the application accesses the view instead of the table. Consequently, it is not necessary to load the directory data into the table.

Abstract: A method for guiding consumers to promotional material stored electronically on a computer database is described. The consumers are directed to a website where the promotional material can be accessed. A list of geographic locations where the promotional material is usable is provided for the consumer to select. The consumer selects a geographic location and then categories of promotional material are provided for the consumer to further define the area of interest for promotional material. The promotional material for the selected geographic location and category is then displayed for the consumer. The consumer can select and print the desired promotional material. Promotional material in the form of weekly advertisements are prepared in a media independent form prior to entry on the web site. The advertisements are stored in an encapsulated postscript file, manipulated to the desired form, and stored as a digital image in a compressed file with key words.