Portal Administration Interface Hierarchy and Contextual Editors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools for web and application server administration lack the detailed information and management capabilities needed by system administrators, often focusing on a gross level of detail and failing to provide the types and extent of information desired.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for portal and web server administration that includes a user interface for configuring and managing portals and web servers, featuring a graphical hierarchy browser, context-sensitive editors, and entitlements to manage users, groups, portals, desktops, and content, allowing for detailed control and customization of resources and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional administration tools are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the level of detail and information provided is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The administration tool is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (servers, applications, components, resources) allowing administrators to navigate and access information at different granularities. This segmentation enables detailed view of individual resources while maintaining an organized overall structure, resolving the contradiction between detail level and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical navigation dimension that allows administrators to move between different levels of detail through a structured tree view. This dimensional approach to organization enables access to detailed information without presenting the entire complex system at once, effectively managing the contradiction between comprehensive detail and operational simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If detailed control over resources is implemented, then the measurement precision and control capability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The administration interface dynamically adapts its complexity based on the current navigation level and selected resources. Context-sensitive editors and dynamically generated menus provide detailed control options only when needed, while maintaining simple navigation at higher levels. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between detailed control capability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical navigation structure acts as an intermediary between the administrator and the complex system resources. This intermediary layer provides a simplified interface for accessing detailed control functions, masking the underlying complexity while enabling precise control when required.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive information is provided, then the loss of information is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Comprehensive system information is segmented across multiple hierarchical levels and organized in a structured tree view. This segmentation allows the system to provide complete information about all resources while organizing it in a manageable, progressive manner that does not overwhelm the user with complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-organizes and pre-indexes comprehensive information about all resources at various levels before the user needs to access it. This preliminary organization of information maintains completeness while presenting it in a structured, accessible format that reduces perceived complexity during interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for configuring a portal, comprising providing a first user interface operable to define and/or manage the portal; providing a second user interface operable to define and/or manage personalization of the portal; and wherein the portal can include at least one of the following portal resources: a desktop, a book, a page, a portlet, a shell, a look and feel, and a layout.