Automated on-line information service and directory, particularly for the world wide web

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for updating personalized user information on a home page. Preferred embodiments include a web site configured for receiving a request from a user to update personalized information on the home page, verifying the identity of the user utilizing a password, and allowing the personalized information to be updated if a proper password is received by the website.

1 . A method for updating personalized user information on a home page comprising: 
 receiving a request from a user to update the personalized information on the home page;    retrieving a password corresponding to said user;    querying said user for said password;    receiving a user response to said query; and    allowing said personalized information to be updated on said home page if said user response contains said password.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said personalized information includes non-textual content.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said non-textual content is uploaded to said website using a file transfer protocol.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said uploading of said non-textual content is performed using a password and user ID associated with said user.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said personalized information includes a link to the user's e-mail address.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said personalized information includes a URL provided by said user.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said personalized information includes a URL to the user's organization homepage.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for updating personalized user information on a home page comprising: 
 a web site configured for:    receiving a request from a user to update the personalized information on a home page hosted by said web site;    retrieving a password corresponding to said user;    querying said user for said password;    receiving a user response to said query; and    allowing said personalized information to be updated on said home page if said user response contains said password.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said personalized information includes non-textual content.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said non-textual content is uploaded to said website using a file transfer protocol.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said uploading of said non-textual content is performed using a password and user ID associated with said user.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said personalized information includes a link to the user's e-mail address.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said personalized information includes a URL provided by said user.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said personalized information includes a URL to the user's organization homepage.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for updating personalized user information on a home page comprising: 
 means for receiving a request from a user to update the personalized information on the home page;    means for retrieving a password corresponding to said user;    means for querying said user for said password;    means for receiving a user response to said query; and    means for allowing said personalized information to be updated on said home page if said user response contains said password.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said personalized information includes non-textual content.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said non-textual content is uploaded to said website using a file transfer protocol.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said uploading of said non-textual content is performed using a password and user ID associated with said user.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said personalized information includes a link to the user's e-mail address.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said personalized information includes a URL provided by said user.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said personalized information includes a URL to the user's organization homepage.