Method and system for publication and revision or hierarchically organized sets of static intranet and internet web pages

• US 20050171947A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mind Fusion, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: NetSpinner Solutions AS
• Inventors: Gautestad, Arild O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,660,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for revising and publishing electronic documents. Two sets of electronic documents are generated and maintained on first and second computers. One set is stored on a first computer, for example, as static web pages at a company site. Another set is stored on a second computer at a non-local site such as, for example, an Internet server where the electronic documents are accessible to clients. Any modifications in the set of electronic documents at the local or company site are logged in a log file, and the set of electronic documents at the non-local site is modified accordingly so as to produce what appears to the client as a “dynamic” set of web pages. The revision and publication occurs through generation on the first computer of at least one category list document containing an item identifier, an item category, and descriptive data with hyperlinks to underlying detailed description electronic document files. The category list documents group items together which belong in a given category. The category list and the underlying detailed description electronic document files are saved in a format for accessing from a general viewer program such as, for example, a web browser. The detailed description data may also stored as text based records in, for example, a file of text records or a database of text records at the local site.

Claims

1. A method for production, revision and hierarchical organization of electronic documents on a computer system, comprising:

inputting a first item description and a first item category;

generating a first item identifier corresponding to the first item description;

generating a first item description electronic document in a plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description electronic document in a first storage area configured to store generated documents;

collecting at least one existing item description from at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description electronic document, each of said at least one respective existing item description electronic document including said first item category;

generating a first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category prior to receiving a request for the first category list electronic document from a web browser, said first category list electronic document including

at least a portion of each of the at least one existing item description and a reference to each of the at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents;

determining if any of a copy of the first item description electronic document and each of the at least one existing item description document are already stored in a second storage area configured to store published documents; and

initiating a transfer of a copy of the first category list electronic document and a copy of at least one document determined by the determining not to be already stored in the second storage area, and not initiating a transfer of the copy of at least one document determined by the determining to be already stored in the second storage area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said collecting further comprises a copy of each of said at least one existing item description electronic document being already stored in a second storage area configured to store published documents.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first category list electronic document further comprises at least a portion of the first item description and a reference to the first item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting the first item description further comprises inputting data into at least one item description content field and the step of storing the first item description electronic document further comprises storing the first item description electronic document in the first storage area using a first file name corresponding to the first item category and the first item identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first item description electronic document comprises one of a text formatted first item description electronic document and a markup language formatted first item description electronic document.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first category list document comprises one of a text formatted first category list electronic document and a markup language formatted first category list electronic document.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a text format first item description electronic document having a text format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the text format first item description electronic document in the first storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the text format first item description electronic document, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a first item description database record having a database format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description database record in the first storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the first item description database record, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a text formatted first category list electronic document having a text format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the text formatted first category list electronic document in the first storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the text formatted first category list electronic document, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a first category list database record having a database format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the first category list database record in the first storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the first category list database record, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inputting a second item description and a second item category;

generating a second item identifier corresponding to the second item description;

generating a second item description electronic document including the second item description, the second item category and the second item identifier;

storing the second item description electronic document in the first storage area; and

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category to include at least a portion of the second item description and a reference to the second item description electronic document, prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating a log file to include at least one entry identifying a modification to at least one of the first item description electronic document and the first category list electronic document at a time when the modification is made,

wherein said determining is based on whether the log file contains the at least one entry identifying the modification to at least one of the first item description electronic document and the first category list electronic document.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of storing the first item description electronic document further comprises:

storing the first item description electronic document in a database in the first storage area.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document according to a markup language formatted electronic document template.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to the first category list electronic document.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the first category list electronic document comprises:

generating the first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category according to a markup language formatted category list electronic document template.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiating is further configured not to initiate the transfer of any file of which an identical copy is already stored in the second storage area.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transferring a copy of the first item description electronic document to the second storage area; and

transferring a copy of the first category list electronic document to the second storage area.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to at least one of an image file and a sound file,

the method further comprising;

storing the at least one of the image file and the sound file in the first storage area;

transferring a copy of the first item description electronic document to the second storage area; and

transferring a copy of the first category list electronic document and a copy of the at least one of the image file and the sound file to the second storage area.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deleting a second item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents stored in the first storage area, said second item description electronic document including a second item category;

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, said second category list electronic document not including a reference to the deleted second item description electronic document;

initiating a transfer of an instruction to delete a copy of the second item description electronic document stored in the second storage area; and

initiating a transfer of a copy of the second category list electronic document to the second storage area.

21. The method of claim 1,

wherein the generating the first item description electronic document includes modifying a previous first item description electronic document to produce the first item description electronic document, and

wherein the generating the first category list electronic document includes modifying a previous first category list electronic document to produce the first category list electronic document.

22. The method of claim 1,

wherein the initiating includes an update internet event triggered by a user command.

23. The method of claim 1,

wherein the initiating includes an update internet event triggered periodically by a timer.

24. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

25. The method of claim 8, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

26. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

27. The method of claim 10, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

28. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

generating a first markup language formatted electronic document in accordance with a document template and including the first item category, the first item identifier, and the first item description;

storing the first markup language formatted electronic document in the first storage area; and

updating the log file to include a reference to the first markup language formatted electronic document.

29. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

generating a first text formatted electronic document including the first item category, the first item identifier, and the first item description;

storing the first text formatted electronic document in the first storage area; and

updating the log file to include a reference to the first text formatted electronic document.

30. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating the first category list electronic document comprises one of:

retrieving the first item description electronic document and determining whether the first item description electronic document includes the first item category which corresponds to the first category list electronic document,

searching a plurality of electronic documents of the hierarchical organization of electronic documents for electronic documents which include the first item category, and

using the log file to determine whether to retrieve the first item description electronic document and to determine whether the first item description electronic document includes the first item category which corresponds to the first category list electronic document, wherein the log file includes a reference to at least one electronic document which has been updated in the first storage area.

31. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one entry identifying a modification includes at least one of an identifier of a modified item and a new content of a modified item.

32. A system for production, revision and hierarchical organization of electronic documents on a computer system, comprising:

a computer code device configured to input a first item description and a first item category;

a computer code device configured to generate a first item identifier corresponding to the first item description;

a computer code device configured to generate a first item description electronic document in a plurality of item description documents including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

a computer code device configured to store the first item description electronic document in a first storage area configured to store generated documents;

a computer code device configured to collect at least one existing item description from at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description electronic document, each of said at least one respective existing item description electronic document including said first item category;

a computer code device configured to generate a first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category prior to receiving a request for the first category list electronic document from a web browser, said first category list electronic document including

at least a portion of the at least one existing item description and a reference to each of the at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents;

a computer code device configured to determine if any of a copy of the first item description electronic document and each of the at least one existing item description document are already stored in a second storage area configured to store published documents; and

a computer code device configured to initiate a transfer of a copy of the first category list electronic document and a copy of at least one document determined by the computer code device configured to determine not to be already stored in the second storage area, and not initiating a transfer of the copy of at least one document determined by the computer code device configured to determine to be already stored in the second storage area.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said computer code device configured to collect further comprises a copy of each of said at least one existing item description electronic document being already stored in a second storage area configured to store published documents.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein said first category list electronic document further comprises at least a portion of the first item description and a reference to the first item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to input the first item description is further configured to input data into at least one item description content field and further configured to store the first item description electronic document in the first storage area using a first file name corresponding to the first item category and the first item identifier.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the first item description electronic document comprises one of a text formatted first item description electronic document and a markup language formatted first item description electronic document.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the first category list document comprises one of a text formatted first category list electronic document and a markup language formatted first category list electronic document.

38. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a text format first item description electronic document having a text format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

a computer code device configured to store the text format first item description electronic document in the first storage area; and

a computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document based on the text format first item description electronic document, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a first item description database record having a database format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

a computer code device configured to store the first item description database record in the first storage area; and

a computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document based on the first item description database record, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

40. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a text formatted first category list electronic document having a text format and corresponding to the first item category;

a computer code device configured to store the text formatted first category list electronic document in the first storage area;

a computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document based on the text formatted first category list electronic document, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

a computer code device configured to store the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

41. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a first category list database record having a database format and corresponding to the first item category;

a computer code device configured to store the first category list database record in the first storage area;

a computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document based on the first category list database record, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

a computer code device configured to store the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

42. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to input a second item description and a second item category;

a computer code device configured to generate a second item identifier corresponding to the second item description;

a computer code device configured to generate a second item description electronic document including the second item description, the second item category and the second item identifier; and

a computer code device configured to generate a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category to include a reference to the second item description electronic document, prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, and configured to store the second item description electronic document in the first storage area.

43. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to update a log file to include at least one entry identifying a modification to at least one of the first item description electronic document and the first category list electronic document at a time when the modification is made,

wherein the computer code device configured to determine determines based on whether the log file contains the at least one entry identifying the modification to at least one of the first item description electronic document and the first category list electronic document.

44. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to store the first item description electronic document in a database in the first storage area.

45. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to generate the first item description electronic document according to a markup language formatted electronic document template.

46. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to generate the first item description electronic document to include a reference to the first category list electronic document.

47. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document is further configured to generate the first category list electronic document according to a markup language formatted category list electronic document template.

48. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to initiate a transfer is further configured not to initiate the transfer of any file of which an identical copy is already stored in the second storage area.

49. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to transfer a copy of the first item description electronic document to the second storage area; and

a computer code device configured to transfer a copy of the first category list electronic document to the second storage area.

50. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to generate the first item description electronic document to include a reference to at least one of an image file and a sound file,

the system further comprising:

a computer code device configured to store at least one of the image file and the sound file in the first storage area;

a computer code device configured to transfer a copy of the first item description electronic document to the second storage area; and

a computer code device configured to transfer a copy of the first category list electronic document and a copy of the at least one of the image file and the sound file to the second storage area.

51. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to delete a second item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents stored in the first storage area, said second item description electronic document including a second item category;

a computer code device configured to generate a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, said second category list electronic document not including a reference to the deleted second item description electronic document;

a computer code device configured to initiate a transfer of an instruction to delete a copy of the second item description electronic document stored in the second storage area; and

a computer code device configured to initiate a transfer of a copy of the second category list electronic document to the second storage area.

52. The system of claim 32,

wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document includes a computer code device configured to modify a previous first item description electronic document to produce the first item description electronic document, and

wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document includes a computer code device configured to modify a previous first category list electronic document to produce the first category list electronic document.

53. The system of claim 32,

wherein the computer code device configured to initiate includes an update internet event triggered by a user command.

54. The system of claim 32,

wherein the computer code device configured to initiate includes an update internet event triggered periodically by a timer.

55. The system of claim 40, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

56. The system of claim 41, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

57. The system of claim 42, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

59. The system of claim 43, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to generate a first markup language formatted electronic document in accordance with a document template and including the first item category, the first item identifier, and the first item description; and

a computer code device configured to update the log file to include a reference to the first markup language formatted electronic document, wherein

the computer code device configured to generate a first markup language is further configured to store the first markup language formatted electronic document in the first storage area.

60. The system of claim 43, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to generate a first text formatted electronic document including the first item category, the first item identifier, and the first item description and to store the first text formatted electronic document in the second storage area; and

a computer code device configured to update the log file to include a reference to the first text formatted electronic document.

61. The system of claim 43, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document comprises one of:

a computer code configured to retrieve the first item description electronic document and to determine whether the first item description electronic document includes the first item category which corresponds to the first category list electronic document,

a computer code device configured to search a plurality of electronic documents of the hierarchical organization of electronic documents for electronic documents which include the first item category, and

a computer code device configured to use the log file to determine whether to retrieve the first item description electronic document and to determine whether the first item description electronic document includes the first item category which corresponds to the first category list electronic document, wherein the log file includes a reference to at least one electronic document which has been updated in the first storage area.

62. The system of claim 43, wherein said at least one entry identifying a modification includes at least one of an identifier of a modified item and a new content of a modified item.

63. A computer program product configured to store program instructions for execution on a computer system enabling the computer system to perform the steps of:

inputting a first item description and a first item category;

generating a first item identifier corresponding to the first item description;

generating a first item description electronic document in a plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description electronic document in a first storage area;

collecting at least one existing item description from at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description electronic document, each of said at least one respective existing item description electronic document including said first item category;

generating a first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category prior to receiving a request for the first category list electronic document from a web browser, said first category list electronic document including

at least a portion of each of the at least one existing item description and a reference to each of the at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents;

determining if any of a copy of the first item description electronic document and each of the at least one existing item description document are already stored in a second storage area configured to store published documents; and

initiating a transfer of a copy of the first category list electronic document and a copy of at least one document determined by the determining not to be already stored in the second storage area, and not initiating a transfer of the copy of at least one document determined by the determining to be already stored in the second storage area.

64. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein said collecting further comprises a copy of each of said at least one existing item description electronic document being already stored in a second storage area configured to store published documents.

65. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein said first category list electronic document further comprises at least a portion of the first item description and a reference to the first item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

66. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the step of inputting the first item description further comprises inputting data into at least one item description content field and the step of storing the first item description electronic document further comprises storing the first item description electronic document in the first storage area using a first file name corresponding to the first item category and the first item identifier.

67. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the first item description electronic document comprises one of a text formatted first item description electronic document and a markup language formatted first item description electronic document.

68. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the first category list document comprises one of a text formatted first category list electronic document and a markup language formatted first category list electronic document.

69. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a text format first item description electronic document having a text format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the text format first item description electronic document in the first storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the text format first item description electronic document, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

70. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a first item description database record having a database format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description database record in the first storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the first item description database record, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

71. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a text formatted first category list electronic document having a text format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the text formatted first category list electronic document in the first storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the text formatted first category list electronic document, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

72. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a first category list database record having a database format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the first category list database record in the first storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the first category list database record, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

73. The computer program product of claim 63, which further stores program instructions for performing the steps of:

inputting a second item description and a second item category;

generating a second item identifier corresponding to the second item description;

generating a second item description electronic document including the second item description, the second item category and the second item identifier;

storing the second item description electronic document in the first storage area; and

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category to include at least a portion of the second item description and a reference to the second item description electronic document, prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser.

74. The computer program product of claim 63, further comprising:

updating a log file to include at least one entry identifying a modification to at least one of the first item description electronic document and the first category list electronic document at a time when the modification is made,

wherein said determining is based on whether the log file contains the at least one entry identifying the modification to at least one of the first item description electronic document and the first category list electronic document.

75. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the step of storing the first item description electronic document further comprises:

storing the first item description electronic document in a database in the first storage area.

76. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document according to a markup language formatted electronic document template.

77. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to the first category list electronic document.

78. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the step of generating the first category list electronic document comprises:

generating the first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category according to a a markup language formatted category list electronic document template.

79. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the initiating is further configured not to initiate the transfer of any file of which an identical copy is already stored on the second storage area.

80. The computer program product of claim 63, further comprising:

transferring a copy of the first item description electronic document to the second storage area; and

transferring a copy of the first category list electronic document to the second storage area.

81. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to at least one of an image file and a sound file,

the method further comprising;

storing the at least one of the image file and the sound file in the first storage area;

transferring a copy of the first item description electronic document to the second storage area; and

transferring a copy of the first category list electronic document and a copy of the at least one of the image file and the sound file to the second storage area.

82. The computer program product of claim 63, further comprising:

deleting a second item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents stored in the first storage area, said second item description electronic document including a second item category;

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, said second category list electronic document not including a reference to the deleted second item description electronic document;

initiating a transfer of an instruction to delete a copy of the second item description electronic document stored in the second storage area; and

initiating a transfer of a copy of the second category list electronic document to the second storage area.

83. The computer program product of claim 63,

wherein the generating the first item description electronic document includes modifying a previous first item description electronic document to produce the first item description electronic document, and

wherein the generating the first category list electronic document includes modifying a previous first category list electronic document to produce the first category list electronic document.

84. The computer program product of claim 63,

wherein the initiating includes an update internet event triggered by a user command.

85. The computer program product of claim 63,

wherein the initiating includes an update internet event triggered periodically by a timer.

86. The computer program product of claim 69, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

87. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

88. The computer program product of claim 71, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

89. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

90. The computer program product of claim 73, which further stores program instructions for performing the steps of:

generating a first markup language formatted electronic document in accordance with a document template and including the first item category, the first item identifier, and the first item description;

storing the first markup language formatted electronic document in the first storage area; and

updating the log file to include a reference to the first markup language formatted electronic document.

91. The computer program product of claim 73, which further stores program instructions for performing the steps of:

generating a first text formatted electronic document including the first item category, the first item identifier, and the first item description;

storing the first text formatted electronic document in the second storage area; and

updating the log file to include a reference to the first text formatted electronic document.

92. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the step of generating the first category list electronic document comprises one of:

retrieving the first item description electronic document and determining whether the first item description electronic document includes the first item category which corresponds to the first category list electronic document,

searching a plurality of electronic documents of the hierarchical organization of electronic documents for electronic documents which include the first item category, and

using the log file to determine whether to retrieve the first item description electronic document and to determine whether the first item description electronic document includes the first item category which corresponds to the first category list electronic document, wherein the log file includes a reference to at least one electronic document which has been updated in the first storage area.

93. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said at least one entry identifying a modification includes at least one of an identifier of a modified item and a new content of a modified item.

94. A method for production, revision and hierarchical organization of electronic documents on a computer system, comprising:

inputting a first item description and a first item category;

generating a first item identifier corresponding to the first item description;

generating a first item description electronic document in a plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description electronic document in a publication storage area configured to store generated documents for publication;

collecting at least one existing item description from at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description electronic document, each of said at least one respective existing item description electronic document including said first item category; and

generating a first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category prior to receiving a request for the first category list electronic document from a web browser, said first category list electronic document including

at least a portion of each of the at least one existing item description and a reference to each of the at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein said first category list electronic document further comprises at least a portion of the first item description and a reference to the first item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of inputting the first item description further comprises inputting data into at least one item description content field and the step of storing the first item description electronic document further comprises storing the first item description electronic document in the publication storage area using a first file name corresponding to the first item category and the first item identifier.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the first item description electronic document comprises one of a text formatted first item description electronic document and a markup language formatted first item description electronic document.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein the first category list document comprises one of a text formatted first category list electronic document and a markup language formatted first category list electronic document.

99. The method of claim 94, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a text format first item description electronic document having a text format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the text format first item description electronic document in the publication storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the text format first item description electronic document, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

100. The method of claim 94, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a first item description database record having a database format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description database record in the publication storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the first item description database record, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

101. The method of claim 94, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a text formatted first category list electronic document having a text format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the text formatted first category list electronic document in the publication storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the text formatted first category list electronic document, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the publication storage area.

102. The method of claim 94, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a first category list database record having a database format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the first category list database record in the publication storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the first category list database record, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the publication storage area.

103. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

inputting a second item description and a second item category;

generating a second item identifier corresponding to the second item description;

generating a second item description electronic document including the second item description, the second item category and the second item identifier;

storing the second item description electronic document in the publication storage area; and

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category to include at least a portion of the second item description and a reference to the second item description electronic document, prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser.

104. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document according to a markup language formatted electronic document template.

105. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to the first category list electronic document.

106. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of generating the first category list electronic document comprises:

generating the first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category according to a markup language formatted category list electronic document template.

107. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to at least one of an image file and a sound file,

the method further comprising storing the at least one of the image file and the sound file in the publication storage area.

108. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

deleting a second item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents stored in the publication storage area, said second item description electronic document including a second item category; and

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, said second category list electronic document not including a reference to the deleted second item description electronic document.

109. The method of claim 94,

wherein the generating the first item description electronic document includes modifying a previous first item description electronic document to produce the first item description electronic document, and

wherein the generating the first category list electronic document includes modifying a previous first category list electronic document to produce the first category list electronic document.

110. The method of claim 99, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

111. The method of claim 100, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

112. The method of claim 101, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

113. The method of claim 102, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

114. A system for production, revision and hierarchical organization of electronic documents on a computer system, comprising:

a computer code device configured to input a first item description and a first item category;

a computer code device configured to generate a first item identifier corresponding to the first item description;

a computer code device configured to generate a first item description electronic document in a plurality of item description documents including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

a computer code device configured to store the first item description electronic document in a publication storage area configured to store generated documents for publication;

a computer code device configured to collect at least one existing item description from at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description electronic document, each of said at least one respective existing item description electronic document including said first item category; and

a computer code device configured to generate a first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category prior to receiving a request for the first category list electronic document from a web browser, said first category list electronic document including

at least a portion of the at least one existing item description and a reference to each of the at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

115. The system of claim 114, wherein said first category list electronic document further comprises at least a portion of the first item description and a reference to the first item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

116. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to input the first item description is further configured to input data into at least one item description content field and further configured to store the first item description electronic document in the publication storage area using a first file name corresponding to the first item category and the first item identifier.

117. The system of claim 114, wherein the first item description electronic document comprises one of a text formatted first item description electronic document and a markup language formatted first item description electronic document.

118. The system of claim 114, wherein the first category list document comprises one of a text formatted first category list electronic document and a markup language formatted first category list electronic document.

119. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a text format first item description electronic document having a text format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

a computer code device configured to store the text format first item description electronic document in the publication storage area; and

a computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document based on the text format first item description electronic document, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

120. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a first item description database record having a database format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

a computer code device configured to store the first item description database record in the publication storage area; and

a computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document based on the first item description database record, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

121. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a text formatted first category list electronic document having a text format and corresponding to the first item category;

a computer code device configured to store the text formatted first category list electronic document in the publication storage area;

a computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document based on the text formatted first category list electronic document, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

a computer code device configured to store the first category list electronic document in the publication storage area.

122. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document further comprises:

a computer code device configured to generate a first category list database record having a database format and corresponding to the first item category;

a computer code device configured to store the first category list database record in the first storage area;

a computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document based on the first category list database record, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

a computer code device configured to store the first category list electronic document in the first storage area.

123. The system of claim 114, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to input a second item description and a second item category;

a computer code device configured to generate a second item identifier corresponding to the second item description;

a computer code device configured to generate a second item description electronic document including the second item description, the second item category and the second item identifier; and

a computer code device configured to generate a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category to include a reference to the second item description electronic document, prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, and configured to store the second item description electronic document in the publication storage area.

124. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to generate the first item description electronic document according to a markup language formatted electronic document template.

125. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to generate the first item description electronic document to include a reference to the first category list electronic document.

126. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document is further configured to generate the first category list electronic document according to a markup language formatted category list electronic document template.

127. The system of claim 114, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is further configured to generate the first item description electronic document to include a reference to at least one of an image file and a sound file,

the system further comprising a computer code device configured to store at least one of the image file and the sound file in the publication storage area.

128. The system of claim 114, further comprising:

a computer code device configured to delete a second item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents stored in the publication storage area, said second item description electronic document including a second item category; and

a computer code device configured to generate a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, said second category list electronic document not including a reference to the deleted second item description electronic document.

129. The system of claim 114,

wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document includes a computer code device configured to modify a previous first item description electronic document to produce the first item description electronic document, and

wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document includes a computer code device configured to modify a previous first category list electronic document to produce the first category list electronic document.

130. The system of claim 119, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

131. The system of claim 120, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

132. The system of claim 121, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

133. The system of claim 122, wherein the computer code device configured to generate the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

134. A computer program product configured to store program instructions for execution on a computer system enabling the computer system to perform the steps of:

inputting a first item description and a first item category;

generating a first item identifier corresponding to the first item description;

generating a first item description electronic document in a plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description electronic document in a publication storage area;

collecting at least one existing item description from at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents including the first item description electronic document, each of said at least one respective existing item description electronic document including said first item category; and

generating a first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category prior to receiving a request for the first category list electronic document from a web browser, said first category list electronic document including

at least a portion of each of the at least one existing item description and a reference to each of the at least one respective existing item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

135. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein said first category list electronic document further comprises at least a portion of the first item description and a reference to the first item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents.

136. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the step of inputting the first item description further comprises inputting data into at least one item description content field and the step of storing the first item description electronic document further comprises storing the first item description electronic document in the publication storage area using a first file name corresponding to the first item category and the first item identifier.

137. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the first item description electronic document comprises one of a text formatted first item description electronic document and a markup language formatted first item description electronic document.

138. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the first category list document comprises one of a text formatted first category list electronic document and a markup language formatted first category list electronic document.

139. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a text format first item description electronic document having a text format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the text format first item description electronic document in the publication storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the text format first item description electronic document, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

140. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating a first item description database record having a database format and including the first item description, the first item category and the first item identifier;

storing the first item description database record in the publication storage area; and

generating the first item description electronic document based on the first item description database record, said first item description electronic document including a markup language format.

141. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a text formatted first category list electronic document having a text format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the text formatted first category list electronic document in the publication storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the text formatted first category list electronic document, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the publication storage area.

142. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein generating the first category list electronic document further comprises:

generating a first category list database record having a database format and corresponding to the first item category;

storing the first category list database record in the publication storage area;

generating the first category list electronic document based on the first category list database record, said first category list electronic document including a markup language format; and

storing the first category list electronic document in the publication storage area.

143. The computer program product of claim 134, which further stores program instructions for performing the steps of:

inputting a second item description and a second item category;

generating a second item identifier corresponding to the second item description;

generating a second item description electronic document including the second item description, the second item category and the second item identifier;

storing the second item description electronic document in the publication storage area; and

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category to include at least a portion of the second item description and a reference to the second item description electronic document, prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser.

144. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document according to a markup language formatted electronic document template.

145. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document further comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to the first category list electronic document.

146. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the step of generating the first category list electronic document comprises:

generating the first category list electronic document corresponding to the first item category according to a markup language formatted category list electronic document template.

147. The computer program product of claim 134, wherein the step of generating the first item description electronic document comprises:

generating the first item description electronic document to include a reference to at least one of an image file and a sound file,

the method further comprising storing the at least one of the image file and the sound file in the publication storage area.

148. The computer program product of claim 134, further comprising:

deleting a second item description electronic document in the plurality of item description electronic documents stored in the publication storage area, said second item description electronic document including a second item category; and

generating a second category list electronic document corresponding to the second item category prior to receiving a request for the second category list electronic document from a web browser, said second category list electronic document not including a reference to the deleted second item description electronic document.

149. The computer program product of claim 134,

wherein the generating the first item description electronic document includes modifying a previous first item description electronic document to produce the first item description electronic document, and

wherein the generating the first category list electronic document includes modifying a previous first category list electronic document to produce the first category list electronic document.

150. The computer program product of claim 139, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

151. The computer program product of claim 140, wherein generating the first item description electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

152. The computer program product of claim 141, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.

153. The computer program product of claim 142, wherein generating the first category list electronic document is based on a markup language formatted electronic document template.