Internet directory system

Abstract

Improved Internet Directory System including an upper-level Directory Provider referencing a plurality of independently owned for-profit Category Directory Websites, the Category Directory Websites referencing websites relating to a category and being identified as participating in the System by at least a mark or URL, and including a business model imposed on the Category Directory Websites.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved Internet Directory System, comprising: 
 at least one upper-level Directory Provider (DP), providing a directory of at least upper-level fields and/or super-categories and categories, and referencing a plurality of independently owned (from each other and from the Directory Provider) for-profit Category Directory Websites (CDWs);    the plurality of CDWs each providing at least a lower level directory referencing websites (WSs) relating to a category;    the CDWs being identified as Category Directory Websites participating in the System by at least a mark or a URL portion; and    a business model imposed on at least the CDWs.    
     
     
         2 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes standards of operation imposed on the plurality of CDWs by the System.  
     
     
         3 . The System of  claim 2  wherein a standard of operation includes professional management.  
     
     
         4 . The System of  claim 2  wherein a standard of operation includes at least one of organization and comprehensiveness.  
     
     
         5 . The System of  claim 2  wherein a standard of operation includes up-to-dateness.  
     
     
         6 . The System of  claim 2  wherein a standard of operation, imposed on at least a subset of CDWs, includes a CDW offering users at least one of an option to move to a secure site to negotiate a purchase and an organization of pertinent comparative data on a subject within the category.  
     
     
         7 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes charging at least some WSs for being referenced.  
     
     
         8 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes at least some WSs being charged for at least one service offered by the System.  
     
     
         9 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes a participating CDW providing advertising space on its site.  
     
     
         10 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes a CDW promoting, by advertising, at least one of its category and referenced websites.  
     
     
         11 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes at least one advertising/promotion firm that provides advertising/promotion for a category and/or a CDW site substantially in return for advertising space on a CDW site.  
     
     
         12 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes offering webpage enhancement services at a volume discount.  
     
     
         13 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes substantially funding operation of a CDW by payments from WSs.  
     
     
         14 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes selection of categories for CDWs large enough to support a website and small enough to be managed according to the business plan.  
     
     
         15 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the business model includes contracting by at least one DP to secure a comprehensive listing of CDWs.  
     
     
         16 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the URL portion comprises a TLD.  
     
     
         17 . The System of  claim 16  wherein the URL portion comprises a TLD unique to CDWs and DPs in the system.  
     
     
         18 . The System of  claim 1  that includes at least one cutting edge technology cost effectively offered to appropriate referenced WSs.  
     
     
         19 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the plurality includes hundreds.  
     
     
         20 . The System of  claim 1  wherein the Directory Provider comprises an ISP or Search Engine.  
     
     
         21 . The System of  claim 1  wherein 1) the category and 2) at least one field and/or super-category are both more than simply geographic.  
     
     
         22 . A method for providing an Internet Directory System, comprising: 
 organizing an independent for-profit directory website to reference websites within a category;    participating in an Internet Directory System by said directory website by contracting to be referenced as one of a plurality of Category Directory Websites (CDW) on at least one independent upper-level Directory Provider's (DP) upper-level directory of at least fields and/or super-categories and categories, the upper-level directory referencing the CDWs;    adopting a URL portion or a mark identifying said directory website as a participating Category Directory Website; and    abiding by a System business model imposed on said Category Directory Websites.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes standards of operation.  
     
     
         24 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the URL portion comprises a TLD.  
     
     
         25 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the URL portion comprises a TLD unique to CDWs and DPs in the system.  
     
     
         26 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes offering at least one cutting edge technology cost effectively to appropriate referenced WSs.  
     
     
         27 . The System of  claim 23  wherein a standard of operation includes professional management.  
     
     
         28 . The System of  claim 23  wherein a standard of operation includes at least one of organization and comprehensiveness.  
     
     
         29 . The System of  claim 23  wherein a standard of operation includes up-to-dateness.  
     
     
         30 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes providing advertising space on a CDW site.  
     
     
         31 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes promoting at least one of a site and a category by advertising.  
     
     
         32 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the Directory Provider includes an ISP and/or a Search Engine.  
     
     
         33 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes providing advertising promotion for a CDW site in return for receiving advertising space on a CDW site.  
     
     
         34 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes, for at least a subset of CDWs, offering users at least one of an option to move to a secure site to negotiate a purchase and an organization of pertinent comparative data on a subject within the category.  
     
     
         35 . The System of  claim 22  wherein the business model includes charging at least some websites for at least one service such that a profit is made.  
     
     
         36 . The System of  claim 22  wherein (1) the category and (2) at least one field and/or super-category are both more than simply geographic.