CA2306331A1 - Collaborative internet data mining system - Google Patents

Abstract

A collaborative Internet data training system which automatically processes information provided by a plurality of guides to create web sites and thereby provide a branded or uniform look and feel to the web sites. The apparatus for collaborative mass production of a web publication comprises a server computer; a storage device storing global data files; and a collaborative web page generator for combining global data files with an HTML
template file to create completed web pages wherein the HTML global data interacts with the template to form a combined response. The method for collaborative processing comprises the steps of providing web site construction information at the server level; building into pages instructions to look for missing web site construction information at the server level; and constructing web sites without the need to edit code at all the web sites. The method also includes a quality control process that checks a site for dead links that no longer reference active web pages, and checks when a site was last updated to assure that the guide responsible for the site is actively participating in the network.

Description

- 161 ' COLLAHORA,TIVE INTERNET DATA MINING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The 1990'~~ have been remarkable for the explosive growth of the Internet from an specialized system used by academia to a widespread medium for the transfer of information and electronic commerce.
The "Internet" was developed in the 1970's with funding from the :Department of Defense to interconnect university computer systems. Until recently, Internet i 10 usage was largely confined to academic circles to send e-mail, chat and access remote files and computer resources. The Internet application programs to perform e-mail, chat. and the remote access of data were, in large part, command intensive and did not provide an easy to use graphical user interface.
The explosive growth of the Internet has been fueled, in :Large :part, by the development and wide adoption of the HvyperText Transfer Protocol- (HTTP) . HTTP
is the Internet protocol used to transfer documents and other Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) type data between systems. HTTP is the protocol on which the World Wide ~Veb ("the web") is based. To the Internet user, the wE_b is an easy to use graphical user interface that provides "point-and-click" access to data i from an enormous number of remote computers.
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The communication technology of the web can be explained by analogy to the Open System Interconnect Model (OSI) f:or computer communication. HTTP resides above the Transport Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) layers and provides a transfer protocol between the web server and the browser client. TCP/IP divides networking functionality into only four layers: (1) a network interface :Layer that corresponds to the OSI link layer, (2) an Internet layer which corresponds to the OSI
network layer. (3) <~ transport layer which corresponds to the OSI transport :Layer and (4) an application layer which corresponds t=o the session, presentation and application 7.ayers of the OSI model. The web browser (client) may correspond to the application layer of the OSI model and Hype:-Text Markup Language may correspond to the presentation layer.
The Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) is the software language in which mast of the web is written.
HTML is basically ASCII text surrounded by HTML commands in angled brackets.. HTML commands are interpreted by a web browser t:o determine how to display a web page.
The web, as a whole, is made up of web page servers and web browsers that provide a hardware and operating sy:>tem independent environment. A web browser is an application program that interprets and displays - HTML pages. The we:b is hardware and operating system independent because of the common HTTP and HTML protocols and languagE~s used between the web servers and the browser clic_nt applications.
HTML~ web pages usually contain links or HyperText that point to other HTML pages on the web. By pointing and clicking on these links, a user can skip or "surf"
.:;
from page to page on the web.
A primary function of a web browser is to display the page located at an Universal Resource Location (URL) address. A URL is an address that includes the protocol to reference the data, the system path and data filename.
The data file addressed by the URL data filename is located on a server.
One aspect. of the way in which HTML supports the i 15 display of data is through the support of "frames."
Frame support can be defined as the ability of a web browser to split the browser display area into separate "framed" display areas. Each display area, or frame, can contain information from a separate web page and/or point _:;
to a separate URL address. Frames can be created to present the user with a simultaneous coordinated presentation of multiple frames while maintaining the look-and-feel of a single web page.
Another feature in most web browsers is the ability to "bookm,ark" a page. Typically, the web browser stores a plurality of bookmarked pages in a non-volatile F

storage mechanism where they may be retrieved when the browser is reactivated. A bookmark is a reference to a single URL address.
The use of bookmarks presents a problem for web pages that are de signed for display as multiple coordinated, or framed, web pages. A bookmark is a reference to a single URL address. A frame based web page, however., simultaneously displays multiple URL
addressed web pages. Therefore, a bookmark created when viewing a frame based web page stores only one URL
address, where multiple URL addresses are required to properly display the frame based data. When the user attempts to re-access the page with the bookmark, the browser display will only load one frame, which provides only part of the coordinated framed presentation of data.
Another service found on the web is the ability to search for information. Search services such as Yahoo'"', Excite'"', Lycos'"", Infoseek'" and Hotbot"" provide a means for searching web pages and other information on the Internet that return references to URL address of web pages and other data that satisfy the search criteria.
For the most part, these search services use a keyword search to find web pages and other information that satisfies th~~ search request.
The web has created a forum that provides a very low cost way to publish information, views and opinion.

_j_ This inexpensive way to publish information has resulted in an explo:~ion in the amount of data available on the web. Ironically, the success of the web has created its own problems, namely how to separate informed views and authoritative information from uninformed views and unreliable =_nform<~tion. The present invention addresses this problem by providing useful, novel and non-obvious methods and apparatus to point to and find quality information available on the Internet.
SUMMARY OF 7.'FiE INTENTION
The present invention provides methods and i apparatus for managing, implementing and creating a collaborative Into=rnet data mining system. The collaborative dat<~ mining system is comprised of many I
human "guidE:s" that maintain web sites on their respective topic areas. The guides may use conventional search services, t=heir own ~:nowledge and judgment and .. their knowledge o1= where information may be found on the Internet to construct high quality and authoritative web pages. The collaborative data mining system uses automated methods and apparatus to process the web pages created by t:he guides. The processing automatically "brands" the: web pages by inserting uniform characteristics and information into the pages. The system may then sell advertising an the branded network and remunerate the guides based on predetermined criteria. -More specifically, the collaborative data mining system is accomplished through a unique computer based methodology fo:r (1) selecting, training and policing Internet guides for pre-determined topic areas, (2) processing pre-determined forms, formats and commands to create co-branded web pages that provide a coordinated look and feel across many web pages and (3) an automated revenue distribution system for compensating guides based on a predetermined performance measurements.
One aspect of the present invention provides an automated system for use in conjunction with a pre-determined form or tc=_mplate based methodology to generate web pages that automatically maintain the simultaneous and coordinate: presentation of framed based data.
Another aspect of the present invention is the use of server side 'include' commands to replace "hard coded"
HTML with references t.o ~library" objects thereby increasing efficiency of the coding process, page loading-, and the propagation of changes to web pages.
Another aspect of the present invention is the creation of novel procedures, system templates, scoring methods, and support tools to identify and solicit quality web prcducer~s and web artists to affiliate . CA 02306331 2000-OS-17 themselves with present invention's branded Internet server. -Another aspect of the present invention is the use of an autom<~ted system for designating and managing a plurality oi_ guides in training.
:-, Yet, another aspect of the present invention is in ._-, a mass mentoring aystem in which to improve and develop large numbers of <3uides and potential guides to improve their sites and mf_et the standards reauired to be a guide.
Yet, another aspect of the present invention is j providing a novel, economical and expeditious way in i which to maintain the highes~ possible level of quality and compliance across a higi: volume network while IS maintaining low cost and efficiency in developing and manufacturing information "content."
BRIEF DESCR~~PTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the collaborative Ints~rnet invention as having a guide I 20 acquisition system (2) an application processing system (4), a guide. authoring system (6), a mass mentoring system (8), the g:Lobal HTML data bank (10), a ;, collaborative page generator system (12), an accounting system (I4) and advertising database system (16), the 25 frames system (18;1, the Internet in general, as denoted by reference, (22), a quality control process (24), an _$_ automated training and management system (25) and at least one web browser (20).
Figura 2 shows a detailed diagram of the guide acquisition system (2). It is understood that the elements in Figure 2 denote processes that may be executed on the systems of the present invention.
Figux-e 3 shows a detailed diagram of the application screening system (4) in which a guide identified from tr.e guide acquisition system (2) receives further processing' to determine, inter alia, whether to select a particular guide for guide training.
Figure 4 shows a detail diagram of the mass mentoring system (8). Here, guides from the application processing system (4) receive training and feedback to use the templates and achieve the performance selection criteria demanded by the system. The guides receive specific training in the use of the template or pre-determined form meahodology that interacts with the collaborative page: generator system (12) and the global HTML data include files (10) to create on-line content.
Figure 4A provides a detailed flow diagram of the application processing system and the mentoring system.
Figu~:e 5 shows the detailed diagram of the present invention's quality control process. Here, sites may be checked, observed and tested to ~~police~~ the performance, _9_ auality and activ:Lty of the guides of the present invention.
Figure SA provides a detailed flow diagram of the logical steps that. may execute after a guide graduates from training .
Figure 6 shows the detailed diagram of the frames system (18) which provides a means for supporting frame based daCa.
Figure 7 shows a bloci: diagram of an example of how frame based data may be used.
Figure 8 is a detailed diagram of the i collaborative page: generator (12) in which the global HTML data (1.0) and advertising data (16) are brought together to creates page content for the frames system 1 S ( 18 ) and the: Internet user at a web browser ( 20 ) .
Figure 9 shows they steps in the template production system starting from the guide's personal computer, through the processing steps and finally to the live production ~~ite.
Figure 10 shows a detailed diagram of the "CHEWY"
process and how it. is used to change the guide template to a server ready HTML page.
Figure 11 provides a detailed diagram of the logical file: structure arrangement of the "zshare54z"
shared direcaory structure.

Figure 12 shows a logical diagram of the directory structure fo-z- a guide site.
Figure 13A shows a functional diagram for the automated training and management system used to manage S and control a collaborative data mining system.
Figure 13B provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to add a new web site to the taxonomy of a collaborative Tnternet data mining system.
Figure 13C provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to modifyy a web site, that is maintained or used with the collaborative data mining system.
Figure 13D provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to add an application to the training system.
Figure 13E provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to modify an application in the system.
Figure 13F provides a detailed diagram of an ATMS
control screen to group new applicants into classes and assign graduation dates.
Figure 13G :provides a detailed diagram of a control screen that: may be used to modify account information.

Figure 13F~ provides a detailed diagram of additional -fields for the control screen provided in Figure 13G.
FigL:re 13~ provides a detailed diagram of a control screen that may be used to keep track and/or control pare of the mentoring.program.
FigL.re 13~r provides a detailed diagram of a control screen that may be used to control and/or track contract in:Eormation.
DETAILED DE:3CRIPTION
One aspect: of the present invention provides a means for providing a "brand name" look and feel to a plurality o:E web pages by using frames to provide a consistent banner across the pages that reside on the ' 15 network regardless of how a user "surfs" into the network. This aspect of the present invention provides a brand look and feel to the network while maintaining the ability to randomly surf to a web page of interest.
Figure 1 provides an overview of the system elements of the collaborative data mining system. The I
present invention achieves its co-branded look and feel through the use of the guide authoring system (6), in i conjunction with the collaborative page generator system (12) and the f ram~es system (18). The guide authoring system (6) provid~'s a guide with predetermined templates that are de~reloped in conjunction with the global HTML

data (lo) and the frames system (18). The templates are developed by creating a finished web page and then removing the global brand elements and replacing them with "include=_" comments. The remaining page, with global sections rep:Laced with the "include" comments and section blocked off :Eor the guide to insert content form the basis for a HTML template.
Another aspect of the present invention is its ability to locate a very large number of Internet savvy guides in a short period of time through the guide acquisition aystem (2). The guide acquisition system is ', represented as block 2 in Figure 1 and works in conjunction with the application processing system (4), the guide authoring system (6), the mass mentoring system (8) and the Automated Training and Management System (ATMS) (7). As provided above, guides may be contractors responsible .or the content on specific topic areas on the present :invention's web sites. The guide acquisition system ( 2 ) may, under direction, contact Internet . ._ .
___, '20 "surfers" who may :be connected to the Internet. An .; "Internet su:=fer" is a person or entity that is very familiar with content available on the Internet. The present invention :provides an Internet surf er with a framework for searching the :Internet, e.g., topics to search and a detailed set of instructions with the specifics of how to find quality sites on the web.

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i The present invention may use a set of standard 3 measurement~~ that indicate the likelihood that a site has the qualities that: will result in a worthwhile contact for the application processing system (4). The surfers may send the: guide acquisition system (2) screen captures i of their search results. The screen captures may be evaluated based on predetermined quality criteria -,' standards.

The .application processing system (4) may generate a form e-mail to cauide candidates inviting them to work with the collaborative data r~,ining system. Candidates who express an interest may be directed to the i application proce~~sing system 4 where they may begin the j application proce~~s.

IS The <~pplic~ation processing system (4) may efficiently convert a large number of applications from its outbound. guide: acquisition system (2) or inbound marketing recruitment. Using conventional labor - intensive methods to review these applicants may not be cost efficient and indeed may be cost prohibitive for the processing volume required by a collaborative data mining j system. Applicants may be required to download, complete j and submit a template application. The application may require the submission of individual creative content, a I
detailed curricula; vitae of the applicant, and answers to many questions about their particular interest, background, :~oftwa:re, equipment and the like. The application-rnay be designed to identify and isolate the qualities es;~entia:l to a guide. The completed -applications may be downloaded, entered into a database, and screened by entry level personnel through the use of standardized criteria.
Another aspect of the present invention is the mass mentoring system (8). The mass mentoring system (8) may use a small team of individuals to coach and coordinate the ment oring process for large volumes of guides and guide trainees identified and screened by application processing system (4). One-to-one development and training may be inefficient given the number of affiliat~=_s or guides needed by a reasonably sized collabarativ~~ data mining system. The mass mentoring syatem (8) may employ a training process, discussed fu:~ther :below, which may last up to three weeks. During the training process the present invention may send out predetermined e-mails to the guides covering specifis topics key to their development. These e-mails may be speci:Eically tailored to address the typical growth curve and problems of a "proto-guide."
The mass me:ntoring system may establish a project schedule for training guides on the collaborative data mining system. The mass mentoring system (8) may identify wee:~ly milestones for the process and assigns - IS -tasks the gL.ides-in-training should try to accomplish in the ffi rst week. The mass mentoring system may also schedule thE: guides for group chat sessions to discuss their questions and issues. The mass mentoring system may also establish on-line bulletin boards to post questions to the staff at the mass mentoring system or to read the question=~ and answers of other guide trainees.
Once a guide is accepted for training they may be considered "affiliates" with the collaborative data mining system. The affiliates may be grouped in classes and the progress of the affiliates inside the class may be compared to others inside the class and to standards developed from prior classes. The classes give a means of peer support and may reduce the need for staff guidance.
The :~acilitated communication may result in guides solving the problems of guides. The mass monitoring system (8) m.ay al~;o assign an experienced guide to each class to act as a peer mentcr and give advice and/or guidance to the guides-in-training. Through this novel process, the present invention may mentor up to a couple of hundred guides-in-training with a staff of small mentors, which may provide an economical way to train many guides.
Another aspect of the present invention is the quality control process (24). The present invention employs methods and systems to identify, screen, and develop guides for its Internet service. One key to establishing and keeping its consumer brand image for the -present invention's network of guides is maintaining high quality standards across the many, many sites of the network. It may be cost prohibitive to rely on brute force methoda of one-to-one inspection and review of individual sates. To wit, the present invention may use new approachf_s to the quality control (QC) process.
First, it ma~,r use methods and programming code to make daily automated checks for bad links, breaks in standard template requirements, file download size, and organizational structure of a site. Second, it may use a standardized checklist to check for quality issues such as proper grammar, required site maintenance, timeliness of content, depth of contextual links and other criteria.
The guide may receive a standardized e-mail ~~report card"
with feedbaclc on their site as well as specific tips for site enhancement.
Another aspect of the present invention is the frames systc_m (18). The frames system (18) may provide a means for verifying that frame based data, or data that is formatted for presentation in framed format, is in fact loaded with the appropriate coordinated frame of data .

_I7_ The frame system (18) also assures that the appropriate-frame set for the designated topic is loaded.
The data mining system of the present invention organizes data into topic areas such as, for example, health and business. bath topic area may have sub-topics. Each topic may have multiple pages (a "page set") contained inside a frame set. Each page may have a unique URL.
Someone des_ring t.o link to a page in the page set other than the first page in the set, e.g., the topic home page, would norma:Lly use that page's URL for the link.
However, a 7_ink to a page other than the topic home page may not load the frame set correctly. Accordingly, the page may not: be viewable as intended and could result in frame sets inside a frame set or no frame set at all.
The frame s~~stem (18) provides a means for assuring that the systems frame based data is properly loaded with the appropriate frame or frames.
Another aspect of the present invention is the collaborative HTMh processing and collaborative HTML page generator system (12). The data mining system of the present invention may require a clear navigation system across multiple interest areas and related topics. The system architecture is, therefore, reasonably flat with many similarly designed pages existing at the same level.
In its simplest form, the "taxonomy" of the network consists of one home area ( Layer 1 ) leading down to ' thirteen plus or minus interest areas (layer 2) leading down to thousands of topics (layer 3). Each layer may share certain elements of a characteristic design across areas and topics. However, there are other elements that may vary depending on layer or topic. The time and cost to hard code each of these elements during creation or modification may b.. cost prohibitive and stifle the creative vis:LOn of the network. The collaborative page generator sy:~tem (12) provides a means for processing data input f:_om th~= guide network to produce complete HTML document: for use with the live network.

A final aspect of the present invention is the i automated tr<~ining management system (ATMs) (7) that provides a means for automatically tracking and managing the assets OII the data mining network. The ATMS provides a report on t=he progress of each guide in training as well as providing .a means for designating which web pages ' and topic arc_as ar~' ready for the "live" network.

The Production Pro~~sss The network: production process is shown in Figure 9. A guide who is trained to use the template system (discussed further below) creates HTML documents (804) for her topic area on her personal computer (802). The guide may up:Load t:he template based HTML documents to a directory ca:Lled /mcupload" (824) on a server computer (806). The uploading of files may be accomplished with the file transfer protocol CFTP) or other conventional methods for-transferring data files.
The design container processing tool or °CHEWY"
process (812) may be a Windows NT service, a UNIX deamon, or similar computer program that is designed to continuously execute or periodically poll the /mcupload directory or equivalent directory (808). When the CHEWY
process (812.) finds a file in the /mcupload directory the CHEWY procescs may open the document and processes the commands contained in the file, described further below, in conjunction with the container definitions (810) to generate "completed HTML" pages. The CHEWY process may then output the completed HTML pages to a "test"
directory (814). It is understood that the "test"
directory may be any directory that is accessible or able to be viewed on the guide's browsers (816). The guide may then access the complete HTML files to verify that the CHEWY process accurately parsed and processed the HTML template documents (804). If the guide finds a problem in t:he completed HTML files, the guide may attempt to repair the completed HTML documents (816) or correct the templ<~te HTML documents (804) and re-submit the docurnent:s to CHEWY through the /mcupload (808) directory. Once !~he guide is satisfied with the completed H"ML do~~uments, the guide may transfer the HTML
documents to the production site (818). The "live"

production sate (820) may serve the completed and approved HTML documents (822).
Figure 10 provides a more detailed diagram of the CHEWY proces;~. Once a HTML document is delivered to the /mcupload di_:ectory, the CHEWY process may open and process the document (850). HTML document (850) may contain code, in angled brackets "<>" that may be interpreted by the CHEWY process. The CHEWY process may also use the HTML document filename as information as to what global information may be used to generate completed HTML pages. For example, if the filename is "mbody.htm"
the name of t:he file designates that CHEWY "tells" the document where to get design information and where to insert it in the template (854). One source of the design inforrnation may be the shared components repository - where '##' is the template version number for the "zsh~ire##z" (858) directory, template (860) subdirectory and ":~#stndrd" (862) subdirectory which contains the "mbod:y.hi," "mbody.INChi," "mbody.INClo,"
and "mbody.lo" files. The CHEWY process may insert the files in the designated locations in the HTML page to create a web page that is suitable to "serve" (870). The suitable web page (870) may contain the appropriate server side "include" commands. The HTML include command is like the "#include" compiler instruction for the conventional "c" programming language. When a browser accesses the web page, the browses may receive a HTML
page that contains the HTML commands necessary to display a complete H':CML page, a . g . , t-_he #include instruction may be replaced with t:he HTML code referenced by the #include S command ( 8 74 ; .
Figure 11 provides a logical diagram for the file structure foi: the .shared files in the collaborative data mining invention. The "zshare##z" (858) file is shown with the subdirectories depicted one level below in the HTML (890), images (892), js (894), nav (898), notice (898), search (900), ssw (90'?), events (904) and template (860) subdirectories. These subdirectories may in turn contain subdirecto:ries of their own such as the subdirectories unde r the images (892) subdirectories including art: s, business, careers, computer, culture, family, health, bobbies, issues, living, local, sports and travel.
Figure Z2 provides an overview of a directory structure than may be used by a guide in a collaborative data mining :system. The structure may be described as.
subdirectoriea below a root directory (912).
The root directory (912) may be the default or starting ._ point for the: guide. The first subdirectory may be a "/library" (914) o:E further subdirectories to useful guide data, :such aa, weekly data (924), graphics (926), personal directories ( 92 8 ) and an archive directory (930). The next subdirectory may store subdirectories of information -t:hat i:a useful for the system ( 916 ) .
Information f:or thc= system (932) may include: a -subdirectory of site specific pictures, graphics and/or images; a subdirectory of hub specific pictures, graphics and/or images; pages used by the system; search parameters that may be useful for outside search services to help find the sate; a subdirectory for chat room parameters; programs, and/or other chat room related data; a subdirectory for boards such as board parameters, programs, and/or other board related data; a subdirectory for dynamic data for programmatically created web pages;
a subdirectoz-y for a template configuration file; a subdirectory for sate parameters such as URL, hub and IS navigation parametE=rs, a subdirectory for advertising data; a subdirecto-r_y for navigation parameters; a subdirectory for content ratings, and a locked subdirectory for s~,rstem only access. The guide directory structure may include the upload (808) and test (918) directories described in further detail herein. The guide directory structure may also have a subdirectory for guide control center information (920).
Finally, the example of a guide directory structure may include a delivery (922) directory and the zshare##z directory described further herein.

Thus, the present invention employs a novel method that may el3.minate_ the reauirement to individually hard code HTML instruct: ions at each of its sites for different logos, colors, artwork, etc. The present invention may also employ a novc_1 software approach that builds into the web pages HTML instructions to "look for" missing site construction information, e.g., the color set for the site; at. the server level. During the build process, the server ._s "to:ld" the topic area of the site and the build process responds with information for insertion into a site's HTM:f~ code. Because of this novel approach, each site can be "manufactured" without hard coding all the design eslements. This facilitates the scaleability of the design across many sites. It may also make possible co:Llabor.ative work on the sites in a new way because certain elements of the system do not reside in the site's code but instead reside in a server working with many sates. This methodology may also make it possible to propagate changes to sites or groups of sites at the server level without the need to edit HTML code at all the sites thereby greatly increasing design and maintenance flexibility.
The Guide A~oplication Process The automated guide recruitment process of the guide acquisition system (2) is further described in Figure 2. The automated acquisition system may begin with an assignment of priorities and topics for the outbound search (102). The system may also use a set of guidelines in selecting a site manager such as a predetermined academic background or predetermined ., experience standards. Using these parameters, the universe of Internet sites (100) may be searched for candidates as web guides (104). A list of sites (106) is selected frcm the universe c~ Internet sites (100). The list of sites is passed (108) to a guide selection i process (110). The guide selection process (110) may use predetermined subjective or objective criteria to select potential guides. A standardized e-mail may be Issued i ( 112 ) to the: selected potential guide ( 114 ) . The 1~ potential guide may respond (116) to the standardized e mail (114) ~.nd request more information, decline the invitation or accE:pt the invitation and be invited to apply (118), When a potential guide is invited to apply, (118) a standardi::ed e-mail (120) may be sent conveying the invitation (1:?0). The potential guide may reply to the invitation (112) by declining the offer or submitting to the application process (124).
I Figure 3 m,ay provide a diagram of the process steps used t:o furt:her process a potential guide's application to thE~ network. Prospective guides may enter the system and arf~ instructed to go to the application .. 2$ _ site (200). At the application sit e, the potential guide may receive-the site application (202). The potential guides may complete and submit the application (204).
I
The application may then be objectively or subjectively i scored (210) by the data mining system and/or staff i (206). The top scoring applications may be passed up for a higher level review (208). The application process may . then reach a decision point (214) to determine a course of action for the guide application. If the guide application appears promising, the guide applicant may be issued an e-mail urging improvement and reapplication (216). If the guide application does not meet the performance criteria then the applicant may be sent an e-mail declining the application. If the application passes the performance criteria then e-mail may be sent to the applicant accepting the application (218). Once a guide application is accepted the applicant may. enter guide training (220).
Figure 4 rnay provide a detailed diagram of the --"I 20 guide training process. Guides may enter the guide training process at block (402). Here, guides are ;i assigned passwords and may be given access to the training system. A standard work schedule may be assigned, the guide may be assigned to a class, and a i mentor may :be assigned to the class at block (406). The j guide applicant may be given the full template downloads to begin cor.~struct:ing their sites and following the training sc~~edule (404). Standard e-mail messages may be sent to pros>erly :Lnform the guides of their responsibilities (408). The guide applicant may begin to S construct their sites and receive assistance from the mentor (410). The: guide applicant may view special sites built for trainees (412) and e-mail questions to the mentor ( 414 ) . The: system may track the applicant' s progress through system checklists (416). The guide applicants may then receive feedback and instruction on their site construction in the mentoring and monitoring phase of tr~.ining (418). Guide applicants may be scheduled to part:.cipate in on-line chat groups on scheduled tc>pics (420). Guide applicants may also log on on-line bulletin boards to retrieve FAQs and the like to 'I assist the guides with site construction. Once a guide . .., -"completes the template HTML documents and successfully submits them to the CHEWY process, described above (428), guide performance may be evaluated against the performance of other guides (430). If the guide has 'I produced an acceptable site then the site is accepted and i transferred to the. live site (436). If a guide continues to unsatisfactorily perform, then the guide is sent a thank you and disrnissed (434). Guides that produce I
promising sites may be sent back for more training (402).

Figure 4A may also provide an application processing s~rstem .and mentoring system for the collaborative data mining system. Here, a potential applicant ma~~ download an application from a web site or HyperText link fronn the Internet (450). The applicant may receive <~ web ;page or a file download by FTP or other conventional file transfer means that contains the application materials. Once the applicant receives the application, the applicant may provide the application details and aubmit the application to the collaborative data mining aystem. Once tha_ application is received by the collaborative data mining system, the data may be entered manually or automati~~ally into a database (452).
The application may then be reviewed either automatically or through intervention to determine whether the application fits into the taxonomy of the collaborative data mining system (454). The taxonomy of the collaborative data mining system is the structure of the universe of data or topics sponsored by the system, e.g., the genus and species of the topics supported. If the application does not f it into the taxonomy the application may be rejected (456). If the application does fit into the taxonomy then the application may be reviewed (458). If the application is accepted, applications may b~e judged by predetermined criteria as described above, a.nd if appropriate the applicant is assigned to a clay>s (460). If the application is rejected, a- rejection letter or e-mail may be sent to the applicant (456). Once an applicant has been acce~rPr~ fnr training by the network, the site may be marked as not available for further applications (462). This step may encourage the applicant to complete the guide training process. After an. application is accepted a welcome letter or e-mail m,ay be sent to the applicant (464). The welcome letter or e-mail may contain an address for the training cite and a password and user identification.
The guide applicant may now be called an "affiliate" by the network and may begin building a site with the template and collaborative ta_chniques described herein (466) . If t:he affiliate fails or auits the Drocess ar this juncture, the system may automatically or through intervention note that the site is again available for applications (468). Hopefully, however, the affiliate will success:Eully complete the guide training process and proceed to graduation from the training process(470).
Figure 5A may provide a block diagram of the functions they system may perform at the graduation of a guide. Initially, the guide is either recommended for graduation by the mentor and,~or the editor (350) . If a guide is not recommended for graduation, the affiliate may be terminated .and the database updated to show the - availability of this site topic (352). A termination letter or termination e-mail may be sent at this step (352). If a guide is graduated from the training process several steps may occur within the system. First, a contract may be sent to the affiliate which may provide the terms anci conditions of the relationship with the system (352). Second, art may be created and uploaded onto the system that may be necessary to support the affiliate (3~~5). '.Chird, keywords and description files for the search and/or support for the site may be created (358). Finally, a photo of the affiliate may be input into the system to provide a picture of the guide to the system's usez-s (36t)) . After these steps are performed, the network may provide the site for a final quality control check by the mentor and/or the editor (362). The quality control chf_ck may include the automated site checking process described herein. After the quality control check, the site may be subject to a final edit and review by the )zub editor (364). The hub editor may be assigned with ec3itorial responsibility for a specific genus of topics and related topical sites on the system.
The system may then promote the site to the production server, create a Domain Name System (DN5) entry and set w permissions for th~s chat room, bulletin board and mail box subsystems (366). The site may be entered in the navigation s~~stem for the collaborative data mining system so that users may '1 r-avigate to the site from within the networr: (368) .
Finally, a =ae:lcorr~e letter may be sent to the guide (370) .
The application processing, Guide training, and the collaborative s3.ata mining system in general may be monitored ancz controlled by the ATMS system. Figure 13A -may provide t:he rnain sr_reen of an ATMS system fox a collaborativES data mining system (I000). 'rhe main screen may provide a3 status bar to show the status of the system database (10t)i) . In general, the ATMS main scree.~. inay be divided rote the following logical components: Initial site setup 0002) whicr. may include the subtopics to aid a site, modi:Ey a site and build the taxonomy of the collaborativs~ data mining system; Site Management (100x) which may in~~lude su.btopics ~o update related tables, IS display a sive, and miscellaneous functions; Applications {1006) which may include subtopics such as adding an ar~olication «r modifying a glide application; Management (1008) which may include subtopics to assign classes, modify accounts, graduate guides and distribute and/or modify contracts; Systems Management (1012) which may include subt~~pics to access a manual META filemaker, access a manual META modifier, access a manual navigation filemaker, a keyword description creator,a utility for creating virtual host configuration files and access automated processes;
Reporting {1014) which rnay include subtopics to provide a sit a parameter snapshot <znd provide boards,-chat and/or newsletter snapshots and; Additional (1010) which may include a subtopic to-recycle accounts.
Figure 13B may provide a diagram for adding a site to the collaborative data mining network taxonomy (1016).
The template may include the name of the hub on the network (1018). The hub may provide a first horizontal division of the topical taxonomy. Within the hub a further delineation of the structure may be made with the section name (1020). The structure may in turn may be further delineated into the exact site name (1024). A
data field may be provided to indicate the character site identification (1024) and the site navigation name (1026). The "live" data field may provide a "radio"
button indication of the status of the site (1028). Site status indications may include whether the site is live and active, whether there is no interest in adding such a .site to the taxonomy, whether the site topic is interesting, whether the site has been eliminated "X"
from the taxonomy, and whether the site is active !'A" and a guide is i:n training. A data field may be provided that indicates whether the site has a newsletter (1030), a chat room (1032), a bulletin board (1034) and/or classified adds (1036). A data field may indicate whether the cite has disclaimers such as legal, medical, financial and/or official game. A final data field may be provide that indicates whether a copyright notice in . on the site (1040). The add new site function may include a submit query bar (1042) to submit a query to the network. A reset function may be included to reset the form ( 1044 ) .
Figuz-e 13C may provide a diagram of the functions that may be used to modify a site on the collaborative data mining system (1046). The functionality of the modify a site control may be similar to the add a site control described above. The modify site control may include a hu:o data field (1048), a section name data field (1050) and an exact site data field (1054). A data field for the site navigation name may be provided (1056). A data field with radio buttons to indicate the status of the site may be provided (1058) as described herein. Data fields may be provided to indicate and/or modify wheth~=r the site has a newsletter (1060), a chat room (1062), boards (1064) and/or classified advertising (1066). A d<~ta field may be provided to indicate and/or .r modify the sates disclaimers such as legal, medical, financial and/or official game (1068). A data field may be included i.o indicate and/or modify whether the cite has a copyric;ht notice (1070) . A data field may be provided to indicate whether the site maintains a CitibankT" profile (1072) and whether the site has business listings (1074). The custom profile feature i such as the profiles in (1072) and/or (1074) may direct a collaborati~re dat<~ mining system to specifically "brand"
the site or advertise on the site with the designated profile. Ttie pre:aent invention may contain profiles for a plurality of customer profiles to create virtual collaborative data mining networks or subnetworks within a larger collaborative data mining network. The modify site menu m<~y have a submit query function that may also modify the data entry (1076; . And finally, the modify site menu may have a reset button to reset the menu (1078) .
Figure 13L) may provide a guide management function to add an application (3080). This guide management function may be used to add a new guide application to the system described herein to begin the guide training IS process. For example, the guide management system may provide an "Air Travel" site application (1082). The site application may provide a username data field (1084) to receive a user name. A date field may be provided to receive or :provide the current date (1086). Data fields for the title (1088) , first name (1090) , last name (1092), legal first name (1094), legal last name (1098) and e-mail address (1098) may be included to receive information about the applicant may be included. Data fields may be provided for a secondary e-mail address (1100), an addresses line one (1102), an address line two (1104), a city data line (1106), a state data line (1108), a zip code (1110), country (1112) and telephone information-(1114). A data field may be provided to indicate what operating system the guide uses and/or ,j intends to use (1116). A data field may be provided to track when the application was received (1120) and when '' and if the application was rejected (1122). The status of the application may be tracked with a pull down data r field (1124). A data field may track whether the applicant was a referral and by whom the applicant was referred (1126), F, referrer name data field may also be ,' provided to track the name of a referrer (1128). A data text field may be provided to receive general comments on the guide application (1130). The add application menu may provide a submit function button (1132) to submit the j 15 application to the system and a reset button (1134) to reset the guide application screen.

_ Figure 13E may provide a guide application modification menu t:o modify the data or status of a guide application. The guide modification menu tracks the add _20 guide menu de;scribe:d above in Figure 13D.

Figure 13F may provide a means for assigning guides to classes f:or guide training (1136). A data menu may be provided (17_38) to move accounts from an un-assigned status to an assigned status. A data field may 25 be provided t:o list: un-assigned accounts (1140) .

Function buttons may be provided to move accounts to an assigned status (:L144) and assigned account back to an un-assigned-statu:a (1146). A data field may be provided to list assigned accounts (1142). A class name pull down menu may be provided to select a class name (1148). A
due date data fie:Ld may be provided to indicate a due date f or the: clas:a ( 1150 ) . A pull down menu may be provided to select. a peer mentor (1152) and a pull down menu may be provided to select an assistant editor (1154) for the cla~~s. A function button may be provided to submit the form for data entry ( 1156 ) . The class assignment menu many function by highlighting a list of accounts from the un-assigned data field (1140) and clicking the: add ~°unction button (1144) to move the highlighted~accounts to the assigned accounts data list.
Once accounts are in the assigned data field, a user may assign a peer mentor and editor to the class. When the submit function button (1156) is pressed the ATMS may create a new claw for the guide training program described herein.
Figure 13G may provide a guide management function for tracking and modifying the guide accounts on a collaborative data mining system. An account tracking and modification menu may be provided (1158) to track and/or modify each guide in the network. The account tracking menu may provide identification information such as a tracking number (1160), a user name data field i CA 02306331 2000-OS-17 (1162), a current date data field (1164) a site name data field (1165] , a t~.tle data field (1166) and guide information such as the first name (1168), the last name (1170), e-mail address (1172), a secondary e-mail address (1174) and a telephone number (1176). Data fields may be provided to include a class name (1178), class mentor (1180) and/or peer. mentor (1181). Data fields may be provided to track and/or schedule the guide's progress through the development process such as a due date field . 10 (1182), a rE:view date field (1184), an active date field ( 1186 ) , a graduat.on date f field ( 1 188 ) and a termination date f field I: if any) ( 1190 ) . A pull down menu may be provided to indicate the reason (if any) a guide was terminated (1192).. A pull clown menu may be provided to indicate the: application status (1194) and whether there is any reason the application is on hold (1196). Data i fields may be provided to track the dates for the system's review such as the final quality control date (1198), the final edit date (1200), the final review date (1202), the hold date (1204) and the promotion date (if any)(1206). Data fields may also be provided to track when a contz-act was sent out to the guide (1208) and whether the contract was sent back (1210). Radio button type data fields may be provided to indicate whether a photograph has been received (1212), whether the navigational. links for the site are in place (1214) and _37_ whether the art for the site is ready for deployment (1215). Figure 1:3H may provide additional data fields for the guide management account tracking and/or modification system. Text data fields may be provided to i receive mentor comments (1138), editor comments (1140) and general comments (1142) about the guide and/or the account. Im gene:ral, the functionality provided in this menu provide=s a m~.ans for tracking the guide's and a site's progress through the mentoring system. The menu provides a :.unction button (1222) to submit and / or l track the r<~levant data in r_he network. The system also provides a :reset button (1224) to reset the data menu.
Figure 131: may provide a means for guide management :Eor affiliate graduations (1226). This tracking and status menu may provide identification information like that described above, to identify the guide, the ~~lass and other appropriate information as described a:oove. In this example, the guide has been placed on hold and the reasons therefore are indicated in the hold reasons data field (1232). The example also shows text information that more specifically describes the status in the mentor comments data text field (1334).
This guide management function provides the submit function button (1228) and the reset function button (1230) to submit and /or reset the function respectively.

Figure 13J provides a means for tracking and managing the details on the particular contract with each guide in the network. A guide management menu may be provided for mana~~ing and tracking guide contracts (1340). The contract management menu may provide a data i field for the guic'.e identification number assigned by the system (1342), a guide username (1344) and the current ;1 date (1346). Data. fields may be provided for identifying the guide such as the guide's first name (1348), last name (1350), legal. first name (1352), legal last name I
(1354), e-mail address (1356) and secondary e-mail address (1358). F, data field may be provided to identify . the exact site name (1360) as well as historical information such a~s when the application was received (1362). A data field may be provided to identify a contract number (1.364) and whether the associate .agreement has been sent out (1366) and whether the associate agreement has been received back (1372). Data fields may be provided to identify a license (1374) and the payout amount for the guide's services (1376). A
data text field may be provided to note any contract addendum(s) (1378) and general comments (1380). The guide management function also provide data fields to note a termination date (1382) and a reason for the termination (1384). This guide management function may also provide a submit function key to submit and/or track - ,9 -data (1386). A res et button is also provided to reset the data forrn (138:3) .
The Ouality Contro:L Process The quality control process of the present invention may be u;aed to automatically check the quality of web sites that are managed by the collaborative data mining system. Thus, the data mining system of the present invention :has taken what was once a subjective human-resour~~e intensive process and refined it to a checklist that may be completed in 20 minutes per site.
This degree c~f ref.inement, as well as the technical enhancements for e-mail and tracking allows the present invention to ensure quality across the whole network by allowing the systern to check all sites biweekly.
Figure 5 provides a detailed diagram of a quality control process that may be used by system element (24).
The quality control process may begin with a list of the Live sites maintained by the network (302). The quality criteria of the sites may used to create a predetermined quality control checklist (304) and (306). The quality control process may perform spot checks (308) of the list of the web sites maintained by the system. The quality . control process may use a software routine to automatically check a site for dead links that reference other web pages (310). The quality control process may use a software routine to check when the site was last updated to assure that the guide is actively participating (312) in the network. The quality control process also may crieck for feedback from other web users (314). From these quality control subroutines a list of action items may be: generated for the guides (316).
After a predetermined time, the sites may be re-evaluated to check for compliance (318) with the list of action items generated above (316). The quality control process may also maintain a confidential or public on-line forum for peer review (320). The total quality control scoring and tracking of the: number of "hits" may be used to adjust the financial compensation for the guide (324).
The Frame System Figure 6 provides a detailed diagram of the frame IS system. The frame system assures that the proper frame set is displayed at. the end user's web browser no matter how that user entered into the network of sites in the collaborative data mining system. More specifically, a page may arrive at a web browses, (502). At that time, embedded Java script code may be executed to query the "frames" object. I:f the frames object is greater than one then the java ~;cript may ask the object for the name of frame number one:. If the name of frame number one designates a predetermined frame then the system knows the appropriate banner is already displayed (508) and the frame system does nothing more (506). If, however, the name of the frame is not the predetermined frame (5I0) then the sy-stem dynamically builds the frame set for the requested page (512). The frame system may then pass the frame set and appropriate data to the browser where the browser can process the frame set and cause the appropriate banner and page data display (SI4). The frame system may then exit (516).
Figure 7 depicts a very simple frame based data format . The banner frame is shown ( 602 ) above the content frame (604). In the typical application, the ' banner frame provides the branded look and feel to the web site and the content frame (604) provides the topical content.
The present invention provides a means for creating, managing, maintaining and automating a collaborative data, mining system. This disclosure provides an exemplary disclosure of this system and other ways to implement and/or modify the execution of the present invention are within both the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims (80)

1. A method of providing guide-sponsored content to users over the Internet comprising the steps of:
receiving content and identification information from a plurality of guides, each guide providing content relating to a particular topic for which that guide is approved by a host site;
outputting a web page comprising a directory of topics for which guides have provided content over the Internet to a user;
receiving the selection of a topic from a user over the Internet; and outputting a second web page containing content received from at least one guide about that selected topic and information about that at least one guide.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the information about the guide comprises the guide's name.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second web page comprises a link to a third web page containing additions information about the guide.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the third web page comprises an electronic address where the user may communicate with the guide.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information about the guide comprises a photograph of the guide.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the information about the guide comprises an electronic address where the user may communicate with the guide.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of presenting a web page with the guide's electronic mail address.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of receiving a communication at the guide's electronic mail address from a user.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting a response to the communication from the guide's electronic mail address to the user.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a forum for discussion relating to the topic.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of monitoring the forum by a guide for that topic and providing content from the guide on the forum.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of enabling users to participate in an on-line chat relating to the topic with the guide.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the content provided by the guide comprises one or more links to content available at other web sites on the Internet.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the guides search the Internet for content to be included in the content provided to the host site for the topic.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the directory is organized into interest areas, each interest area comprising a plurality of topics.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of outputting a newsletter generated by the guide to users that request additional information about the topic.

17. A method of providing guide generated content to users over the Internet comprising the steps of:
outputting a listing of guide-sponsored sites organized by subject matter over the Internet to a user, each guide-sponsored site comprising content about a particular subject matter in the listing;
receiving over the Internet a selection of one of the guide-sponsored sites' output in the listing from an Internet user; and outputting at least one web page corresponding to the selected guide site, the web page comprising content generated by a human guide for the subject for which the guide is listed and identification information about the human guide that provided the content.

18. The method od claim 17 wherein the identification information comprises a photograph and the guide's name.

19. A method of retrieving guide-sponsored content over the Internet from a host site comprising the steps of:
accessing a web site over the Internet, wherein the web site provides a web page comprising a directory of topics for which guides have provided content, each guide having provided content relating to a particular topic for which that guide is approved by a host site;
conveying a topic selection by the user over the Internet to the web site; and receiving a guide-sponsored web page containing content provided by the guide to the host site and information about the guide.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the information about the guide comprises the guide's name.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the guide-sponsored web page comprises a link to a third web page containing additional information about the guide.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the third web page comprises an electronic address where the user may communicate with the guide.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the information about the guide comprises a photograph of the guide.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein the information about the guide comprises an electronic address where the user may communicate with the guide.

25. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of communicating with a guide using an address presented by the guide.

26. The method of claim 19 further comprising engaging in a forum monitored by the guide relating to the topic.

27. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of chatting with the guide relating to the topic.

28. The method of claim 19 wherein the directory is organized into interest areas, each interest area comprising a plurality of topics.

29. A system for providing guide-sponsored content to users over the Internet comprising:

guide interface means for receiving content and identification information from a plurality of guides, each guide providing content relating to a particular topic for which that guide is approved by a host site;
directory display means for outputting a web page comprising a directory of topics for which guides have provided content from the host site over the Internet to a user;
selection receiving means for receiving the selection of a topic from a user over the Internet; and guide content output means for outputting a web page containing content received from at least one guide for that topic anal information about that at least one guide.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the information about the guide comprises the guide's name.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the guide content output means presents one or more additional web pages comprising information about the at least one guide.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein the information about the guide comprises a photograph of the guide.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein the information about the guide comprises an electronic address where the user may communicate with the guide.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising electronic mail communication means for enabling a guide to communicate with a user that sends communications to the guide at the electronic address supplied for that guide.

35. The system of claim 29 further comprising forum means for providing a forum where users and the guide may post information.

36. The system of claim 29 further comprising chat means for enabling the user and the guide to chat.

37. The system of claim 29 wherein the directory is organized into interest areas, each interest area comprising a plurality of topics.

38. An electronic method of remunerating Internet guides in a collaborative Internet guide system comprising:
measuring the number of times a particular web page is viewed by an Internet network participant on a collaborative internet guide system;
attributing a particular web page viewing by said Internet network participant to a particular web guide; and distributing advertising revenue generated by advertisements on said collaborative internet guide system on a predetermined basis to said particular web guide wherein a factor in said predetermined basis for distribution is the number of times a web page is viewed as determined in said step of measuring.

39. The method of remunerating Internet guides in claim 38 further comprising:
qualitatively evaluating web pages constructed by a plurality of Internet guides on said collaborative Internet guide system; and distributing advertising revenue generated by advertisements on said collaborative Internet guide system on a predetermined basis to said plurality of web guides wherein a factor in said predetermined basis for distribution is said qualitative evaluation performed in said step of qualitatively evaluating web pages.

40. The method of remunerating Internet guides of claim 38 further comprising:
qualitatively evaluating web pages constructed by a plurality of Internet guides on said collaborative guide system in which one qualitative evaluation criteria is the date said web page was updated with new information; and allocating advertising revenue generated by advertisements on said collaborative Internet guide system on a predetermined basis to said plurality of web guides wherein a factor in said predetermined basis is said qualitative evaluation performed in said step of qualitatively evaluating web pages.

41. The method of claim 39 further comprising:
generating a report of said predetermined qualitative criteria for each of said web guides on said collaborative Internet guide system; and distributing said report to said web guides on said collaborative Internet guide system.

42. The method of claim 41 in which said report further comprises:
action items for said web guide on said collaborative Internet guide system to improve the web pages authored by said web guide.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising:

re-evaluating said web pages authored by said web guide on said collaborative Internet guide system; and adjusting guide remuneration based on said re-evaluation.

44. The method of claim 42 further comprising:
granting access to said report of qualitative evaluation of web pages authored by said web guide to a preselected peer group; and receiving input from said preselected peer group in evaluation of said web pages authored by said web guide.

45. An apparatus for the allocation of advertising revenue in a collaborative Internet guide system comprising:
a database of web pages, said database of web pages containing web pages at least partially authored by a plurality of internet guides;
a web page monitoring system operationally connected to said database of web pages, said web page monitoring system tracking and counting the number of times over a predetermined time period that each particular web page is generated from said database of web pages; and a computer operationally connected to said web page monitoring system, said computer executing a program to calculate the allocation of advertising revenue generated by advertisements on said collaborative Internet guide system, said allocation of advertising revenue being based at least in part on said number of times over a predetermined period that each particular web page is generated from said web page monitoring system.

46. The apparatus for the allocation of advertising revenue of claim 45 further comprising:
a qualitative web page evaluation component, said qualitative web page evaluation component automatically checking for dead hyper text links on said database of web pages and attributing a dead hyper text link to a particular web page in said database of web pages.

47. The apparatus for the allocation of advertising revenue of claim 45 further comprising:
a qualitative web page evaluation component, said qualitative web page evaluation component providing subjective evaluation criteria to subjectively evaluate the quality of said plurality of web pages.

48. The apparatus for the allocation of advertising revenue of claim 45 further comprising:
a qualitative web page evaluation component, wherein one factor in said qualitative evaluation is the last date on which said plurality of web pages were updated.

49. The apparatus for the allocation of advertising revenue of claim 45 further comprising:

a qualitative web page evaluation component, said qualitative web page evaluation component generating a report of said qualitative evaluation and providing said report to each associated plurality of Internet guides.

50. A system for allocating financial compensation to a plurality of Internet guides or a collaborative Internet guide system comprising:
a storage device;
a computer program located on said storage device; and a computer connected to said storage device and executing said computer program to provide means for determining the number of times a web page is generated over a predetermined period of time, means for attributing the generation of said web page to a particular Internet guide, and means for allocating financial compensation to said Internet guides based at least in part on said determined number of times said web page is generated over a predetermined period.

51. The system of claim 50 in which said computer further provides:
means for attributing a qualitative evaluation of web pages generated at said collaborative Internet guide system; and means for attributing said qualitative evaluation to each said Internet guide.

52. The system of claim 50 in which said computer further provides:
means for generating a report to each said Internet guide wherein said report contains qualitative items suggesting corrective action to each said Internet guide.

53. The system of claim 51 in which said computer further provides:
means for allocating financial compensation to said internet guides based at least in part on said qualitative evaluation.

54. A collaborative web page generator system comprising:
a first file system containing a library of information for web page content;
a web page generator system operationally connected to said first file system, said web page generator system accessing information from said first file system for the generation of web pages; and a database system operationally connected to said web page generator system, said database system modifying they selection of information from said first file system by said web page generator system to selectively generate web page content.

55. The collaborative web page generator system of claim 54 further comprising:
a system control program operationally connected to said database system, said system control program providing a user interface to control said collaborative web page generator system by data entry in said database system.

56. The collaborative web page generator system of claim 54 wherein said database system controls the generation of predetermined hyper text links that designate resources from the group consisting of:
a newsletter associated with said generated web page;
an electronic chat room associated with said generated web page;

an electronic bulletin board associated with said generated web page; and electronic advertisements associated with said generated web page.

57. The collaborative web page generator system of claim 54 wherein said database system controls the generation of hyper-text links to predetermined content, said predetermined content selected from the group consisting of:
text providing a disclaimer of legal liability;
text providing a disclaimer that the content of said generated web page provides medical advice;
text providing a disclaimer that the content of said generated web page provides financial advice; and text providing official game rules that complies with legal notice requirements.

58. The collaborative web page generator system of claim 54 wherein said database system controls the generation of further generated content that provides notice of copyright ownership.

59. A computerized method for manufacturing a branded web site from a plurality of content providers comprising:
receiving web pages that contain data codes that identify a topic area that corresponds to a predetermined web site taxonomy;
parsing said received web pages that contain said data codes that identify a topic area that corresponds to said predetermined web site taxonomy to extract and interpret said data codes;

retrieving in response to said step of parsing, information from a data source, said information providing a color set for said topic area in said predetermined web site taxonomy;
and generating web pages that contain information that identifies said topic area in said predetermined site taxonomy, and assigning navigational links to said generated web pages to place said generated web pages into said predetermined web site taxonomy.

60. The computerized method for manufacturing a branded web site of claim 59 further comprising:
accessing a database to control the generation of frame based data to frame said generated web pages, said frame based data corresponding to said predetermined web site taxonomy to further index said generated web pages into said web site taxonomy.

61. The computerized method for manufacturing a branded web site of claim 59 wherein said taxonomy further comprises a hub generic subject area which is further sub-classified into sections.

62. The computerized method for manufacturing a branded web site of claim 59 further comprising:
generating a color coded indicia of said predetermined web site taxonomy and ensuring that the location of said generated web pages in said predetermined web site taxonomy comports with said color coded indicia.

63. An electronic method for effecting quality control in a collaborative Internet guide system comprising:
determining a list of web pages maintained by at least one of a plurality of Internet guides on a collaborative Internet guide system;
determining for said list of web pages maintained by at least one of said plurality of internet guides whether a hyper-text link maintained on at least one of said web pages identifies a valid or invalid universal resource locator (URL);
determining for said list of web pages maintained by at least one of said plurality of internet guides the creation data for each web page in said list of web pages;
calculating a web page score using predetermined scoring criteria and the results from said step of determining whether said web identifies a maintains valid or invalid URL link and sad step of determining the creation date for said web pages;
generating a list of action items based on the results of said step of calculating a web page score; and transferring said web page score and said list of action items from said collaborative Internet guide system to said at least one guide from said plurality of Internet guides

64. A method for selectively generating web pages with a predetermined brand name or style comprising:
receiving a URL request from an Internet participant at a predetermined Internet address;

outputting data to said Internet participant, said data identifying a predetermined parameter for selective subsequent generation of web pages;
redirecting said URL request to a second predetermined Internet address, said redirected URL request passing a predetermined parameter for the subsequent selective generation of web pages; and generating a web page with a predetermined brand name or style in response to said redirected URL request and said predetermined parameter passed in said redirected URL request.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising:
generating said web page with a predetermined brand or style in response to said redirected URL request and said predetermined parameter passed in said redirected URL request by combining a first HTML file with a data file wherein said predetermined parameter passed in said redirected URL request selects data from said data file to form a web page response that contains a particular brand or predetermined style.

66. The method of claim 64 further comprising:
receiving a second URL request from said Internet participant;
detecting said predetermined parameter from said step of outputting data to said Internet participant; and generating a second web page response with a predetermined brand or style in response to sand predetermined parameter from said step of detecting.

67. The method of claim 64 wherein:

said step of generating a second web page combines data from a data file that contains global style data and brand name logos with an HTML file that contains information specific to said second URL request.

68. A system for selectively generating web pages with a predetermined brand name or style comprising:
a storage device;
a computer processor that executes a program from said storage device in which the computer under said program's control generates a HTML web page in response to a URL
request from an Internet participant, said computer providing a predetermined parameter to said participant in response to a URL request to a predetermined Internet address and redirecting said request to said predetermined Internet address to a second URL, said redirected URL request containing a predetermined parameter, said computer receiving said redirected URL request and detecting said predetermined parameter in said redirected URL request, said computer generating a HTML web page in response to said detected predetermined parameter and, said computer selecting from a predetermined set of brand name or web page styles identified by said detected predetermined parameter to generate a HTML web page response with said predetermined brand name or web page style.

69. The system of claim 68 further comprising:
said computer executing under said program control receiving a second URL
request from said participant, said computer determining whether said second URL
request from said participant follows the first URL, request from said participant by detecting said predetermined parameter provided to said participant in response to the first URL request, and said computer generating a predetermined brand name or web page style if said predetermined parameter is detected.

70. The system of claim 68 further comprising:
said computer executing under said program control blocking predetermined Internet advertisements from insertion in said generated HTML web pages in response to the predetermined parameter.

71. The system of claim 68 further comprising:
said computer executing under said program control passing data to an Internet advertisement generator system in response to said predetermined parameter;
and wherein said passed data modify the selection of Internet advertisements in said Internet advertisement generator system.

72. The system of claim 68 further comprising:
said computer executing under said program control generating predetermined hyper-text links in said generated HTML web pages in response to said predetermined parameter.

73. The system of claim 72. in which said generation of said predetermined hyper-text links for said HTML web pages is consonant with said generated brand name.

74. An apparatus for the generation of HTML web pages with a predetermined brand name or stylistic attribute comprising:

a storage device;
a computer operationally connected to said storage device;
a HTML web page generator executing on said computer, said HTML web page generator accessing a first file system that contains HTML template files and a second file system that contains files containing a plurality of brand names or stylistic attributes, and said HTML web page generator responding to URL requests with a HTML web page that contains information from the first file system and the second tile system by selecting at least one brand name or stylistic attribute from said second file system is response to a parameter from a participant's web browser.

75. The apparatus of claim 74 in which said HTML web page generator responds to a URL request with a HTML web page that contains hyper-text links to URL's that obtain information from said first file system, said HTML web page generator system selecting hyper-text links in response to said predetermined parameter from said participant's web browser.

76. The apparatus of claim 74 further comprising:
a third file system on said data storage device;
said third file system containing Internet advertisements for insertion into said generated HTML web pages, said HTML web page generator selecting Internet advertisements from said third file system in response to said predetermined parameter from said participant's web browser.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 in which said selection of said Internet advertisements is consonant with said brand name selected by said HTML web page generator.

78. The apparatus of claim 74 in which said stylistic attribute is a set of colors for display on said generated HTML web page.

79. The apparatus of claim 74 in which said stylistic attribute is a set of text fonts for use with said generated web page.

80. The apparatus of claim 77 in which said consonant advertisement selection excludes advertisement from competitors of the brand name.