Interactive web book system with attribution and derivation features

• US 6,411,993 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: F Poszat Hu LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Family Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Reynolds, Brian, Goldhor, Richard Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Krisna
• Application Number:
  US09/329,142
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/219, 709/218, 707/10
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

An interactive Web book (“ibook”) system is provided that allows material to be contributed to the World Wide Web. An ibook is a self-extending, self-sustaining information-redistributing Web robot, which is resident on a data network such as the Internet or an intranet. Users may enroll with an ibook as viewers or contributors. Viewers may view ibook material, such as text or multimedia content. Contributors may contribute original material to the ibook or may create derivations of existing ibook material. Attribution information that identifies the source of material in a derivation is automatically generated. Information concerning the derivation of each work and its characteristics can be used to help the user navigate through ibook material. The ibook system keeps track of how often users access each work within an ibook. Contributors may be automatically rewarded (e.g., by a monetary distribution) based on the extent to which their contributed material is viewed by the users.

Claims

1. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:

means for allowing contributors to contribute material in different languages wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors;

means for generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors;

means for generating derivation information associating the contributed material in one language with the contributed material in another language;

a navigation tool comprising;

means for allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available in a language other than the language of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select one of the languages; and

means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected language; and

means for providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the means for automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises means for automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

means for viewing the passages; and

means for alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

7. The system of claim 5 further comprising means for allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for generating attribution information further comprises means for automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

10. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:

means for allowing contributors to contribute material in different media types wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors;

means for generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors;

means for generating derivation information associating the contributed material in one media type with the contributed material in another media type;

a navigation tool comprising;

means for allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material in a media type;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available in a media type other than the media type of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select one of the media types; and

means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected media type; and

means for providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the means for automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises means for automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

13. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

means for viewing the passages; and

means for alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising means for allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein the means for generating attribution information further comprises means for automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

19. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material on various subjects that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:

means for allowing contributors to contribute material on different subjects wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors;

means for generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors;

means for generating derivation information associating the contributed material on one subject with the contributed material on another subject;

a navigation tool comprising;

means for allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available on a subject other than the subject of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select one of the subjects; and

means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is on the selected subject; and

means for providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises means for automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

22. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

23. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for viewing the passages; and

means for alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

25. The system of claim 23 further comprising means for allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein the means for generating attribution information further comprises means for automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

28. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:

means for allowing contributors to contribute material that is stored by the server, wherein at least some portions of the contributed material are alternate versions of other portions of the contributed material;

means for generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose contributed material is stored;

means for generating derivation information associating the contributed material of some of the contributors with the contributed material of other contributors;

means for allowing the users to view the contributed material of various contributors at one of the clients;

means for alerting users when an alternate version of the displayed contributed material exists; and

means for providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

29. The system defined in claim 28 further comprising navigation tool means for allowing the users to select between displaying contributed material and an associated alternate version.

30. The system of claim 28 further comprising means for automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the means for automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises means for automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

32. The system of claim 28 further comprising means for determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

33. The system of claim 28 further comprising means for providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising means for allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

36. The system of claim 28 wherein the means for generating attribution information further comprises means for automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

37. A method for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing contributors to contribute material in different languages wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors;

generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors;

generating derivation information associating the contributed material in one language with the contributed material in another language;

providing a navigation tool comprising the steps of;

allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material;

alerting the users when contributed material is available in a language other than the language of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select one of the languages; and

allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected language; and

providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises the step of automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

41. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

displaying the passages for viewing; and

alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

43. The method of claim 41 further comprising the step of allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

45. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of generating attribution information further comprises the step of automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

46. A method for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing contributors to contribute material in different media type wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors;

generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors;

generating derivation information associating the contributed material in one media type with the contributed material in another media type;

providing a navigation tool comprising the steps of;

allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material;

alerting the users when contributed material is available in a media type other than the media type of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select one of the media types; and

allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected media type; and

providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the step of automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises the step of automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

49. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

50. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising the steps of:

displaying the passages for viewing; and

alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

52. The method of claim 50 further comprising the step of allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

54. The method of claim 46 wherein the step of generating attribution information further comprises the step of automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

55. A method for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material on various subjects that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing contributors to contribute material on different subjects wherein at least some of the contributed material is based on the contributed material of other contributors;

generating attribution information identifying contributors whose contributed material is used by other contributors;

generating derivation information associating the contributed material on one subject with the contributed material on another subject;

providing a navigation tool comprising the steps of;

allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material;

alerting the users when contributed material is available on a subject other than the subject of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select one of the subjects; and

allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is on the selected subject; and

providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

56. The method of claim 55 further comprising the step of automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises the step of automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

58. The method of claim 55 further comprising the step of determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

59. The method of claim 55 further comprising the step of providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

60. The method of claim 59 further comprising the steps of:

displaying the passages for viewing; and

alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

61. The method of claim 59 further comprising the step of allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

63. The method of claim 55 wherein the step of generating attribution information further comprises the step of automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

64. A method for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing contributors to contribute material that is stored by the server, wherein at least some portions of the contributed material are alternate versions of other portions of the contributed material;

generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose contributed material is stored;

generating derivation information associating the contributed material of some of the contributors with the contributed material of other contributors;

allowing the users to view the contributed material of various contributors at one of the clients;

alerting the users when an alternate version of the displayed contributed material exists; and

providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of allowing the users to select between displaying contributed material and an associated alternate version with a navigation tool.

66. The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the step of automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises the step of automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

68. The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

69. The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

70. The method of claim 69 further comprising the step of allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

72. The method of claim 64 wherein the step of generating attribution information further comprises the step of automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

73. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:

means for allowing contributors to contribute material that is stored by the server, wherein the material is in a certain media type, in a certain language, and on a certain subject and at least some portions of the contributed material are alternate versions of other portions of the contributed material;

means for generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose contributed material is stored;

means for generating derivation information associating the contributed material of some of the contributors with the contributed material of other contributors;

a navigation tool comprising;

means for allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material at one of the clients;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available in an alternate version of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select an alternate version;

means for allowing the users to view the selected alternate version;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available in a language other than the language of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select one of the languages;

means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected language;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available in a media type other than the media type of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select one of the media types;

means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected media type;

means for alerting the users when contributed material is available on a subject other than the subject of the contributed material being viewed;

means for allowing the users to select one of the subjects; and

means for allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is on the selected subject; and

means for providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

74. The system of claim 73 further comprising means for automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

75. The system of claim 74 wherein the means for automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises means for automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

76. The system of claim 73 further comprising means for determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

77. The system of claim 73 further comprising means for providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

78. The system of claim 77 further comprising means for alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

79. The system of claim 77 further comprising means for allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

80. The system of claim 79 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

81. The system of claim 73 wherein the means for generating attribution information further comprises means for automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

82. A method for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing contributors to contribute material that is stored by the server, wherein the material is in a certain media type, in a certain language, and on a certain subject and at least some portions of the contributed material are alternate versions of other portions of the contributed material;

generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose contributed material is stored;

generating derivation information associating the contributed material of some of the contributors with the contributed material of other contributors;

providing a navigation tool comprising the steps of;

allowing the users to view at least some of the contributed material at one of the clients;

alerting the users when contributed material is available in an alternate version of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select an alternate version;

allowing the users to view the selected alternate version;

alerting the users when contributed material is available in a language other than the language of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select one of the languages;

allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected language;

alerting the users when contributed material is available in a media type other than the media type of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select one of the media types;

allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is in the selected media type;

alerting the users when contributed material is available on a subject other than the subject of the contributed material being viewed;

allowing the users to select one of the subjects; and

allowing the users to view only the contributed material that is on the selected subject; and

providing access information concerning the amount that the contributed material is viewed.

83. The method of claim 82 further comprising the step of automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the step of automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises the step of automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

85. The method of claim 82 further comprising the step of determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the contributed material based on the access information and the attribution information.

86. The method of claim 82 further comprising the step of providing the contributed material in the form of a plurality of passages on the Web pages.

87. The method of claim 86 further comprising the step of alerting users who view the passages when a passage is a derivation of another passage.

88. The method of claim 86 further comprising the step of allowing the contributors to specify passage characteristics for each passage.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

90. The method of claim 82 wherein the step of generating attribution information further comprises the step of automatically generating the attribution information when one contributor contributes material by cutting and pasting from the contributed material of another contributor.

91. A system for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the system comprising:

authoring means used by the contributors for creating derivations based on previously contributed material;

means for ensuring that each derivation is saved as an individual copy so that multiple derivations may be created at the same time;

means for generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose material is used to create the derivations, wherein the attribution information comprises an attribution link from each derivation to the previously contributed material on which that derivation is based;

means for generating a derivation link from the previously contributed material to each derivation based on that previously contributed material, wherein at least a given one of the derivations has an associated derivation that is based on the given derivation, wherein the given derivation and its associated derivation are linked by one of the attribution links and one of the derivation links, and wherein the given derivation and the previous contributed material on which the given derivation is based are linked by another one of the attribution links and another one of the derivation links;

means for viewing the material by navigating along the derivation and attribution links, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to the previously contributed material on which the given derivation is based using the attribution link between the given derivation and that previously contributed material, wherein the users navigate from that previously contributed material to the given derivation using the derivation link between that previously contributed material and the given derivation, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to its associated derivation using the derivation link between the given derivation and its associated derivation, and wherein the users navigate from the associated derivation to the given derivation using the attribution link between the associated derivation and the given derivation; and

means for providing access information concerning the amount that the previously contributed material and derivations are viewed.

92. The system of claim 91 further comprising means for automatically rewarding the contributors based on the access information and the attribution information.

93. The system of claim 92 wherein the means for automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises means for automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

94. The system of claim 91 further comprising means for determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the previously contributed material and the derivations based on the access information and the attribution information.

95. The system of claim 91 wherein the authoring means further comprises means for allowing a contributor of a derivation to enter a derivation type for the derivation.

96. The system of claim 95 wherein the derivation type is alternate version.

97. The system of claim 95 wherein the derivation type is commentary.

98. The system of claim 95 wherein the means for viewing further comprises means for navigating based on the derivation type.

99. The system of claim 91 further comprising means for providing the Web pages in the form of a plurality of passages.

100. The system of claim 99 wherein the authoring means further comprises means for allowing a contributor to enter passage characteristics for each passage.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

102. The system of claim 100 wherein the passage characteristics include media type.

103. The system of claim 100 wherein the means for viewing further comprises means for navigating based on the passage characteristics.

104. The system of claim 91 wherein the means for generating attribution information further comprises means for automatically generating the attribution information when the contributor creates one of the derivations by cutting and pasting material to the derivation from the previously contributed material.

105. The system of claim 91 further comprising means for automatically advertising the contents of the material on the server to a search engine database.

106. The system of claim 91 further comprising means for automatically replicating the contents and structure of said Web pages.

107. A method for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

creating derivations with an authoring tool used by the contributors based on previously contributed material;

ensuring that each derivation is saved as an individual copy so that multiple derivations may be created at the same time;

generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose material is used to create the derivations, wherein the attribution information comprises an attribution link from each derivation to the previously contributed material on which that derivation is based;

generating a derivation link from the previously contributed material to each derivation based on that previously contributed material, wherein at least a given one of the derivations has an associated derivation that is based on the given derivation, wherein the given derivation and its associated derivation are linked by one of the attribution links and one of the derivation links, and wherein the given derivation and the previous contributed material on which the given derivation is based are linked by another one of the attribution links and another one of the derivation links;

viewing material by navigating along the derivation and attribution links, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to the previously contributed material on which the given derivation is based using the attribution link between the given derivation and that previously contributed material, wherein the users navigate from that previously contributed material to the given derivation using the derivation link between that previously contributed material and the given derivation, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to its associated derivation using the derivation link between the given derivation and its associated derivation, and wherein the users navigate from the associated derivation to the given derivation using the attribution link between the associated derivation and the given derivation; and

providing access information concerning the amount that the previously contributed material and derivations are viewed.

108. The method of claim 107 further comprising the step of automatically rewarding the contributors based on the amount that their material is accessed by the users and the attribution information.

109. The method of claim 108 wherein the step of automatically rewarding the contributors further comprises the step of automatically making monetary distributions to the contributors.

110. The method of claim 107 further comprising the step of determining the amount that the users directly and indirectly use the previously contributed material and the derivations based on the access information and the attribution information.

111. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of creating derivations further comprises the step of allowing a contributor of derivative material based on previously contributed material to enter a derivation type to be associated with the derivative material.

112. The method of claim 111 wherein the derivation type is alternate version.

113. The method of claim 111 wherein the derivation type is commentary.

114. The method of claim 111 wherein the step of viewing further comprises the step of navigating based on the derivation type.

115. The method of claim 107 further comprising the step of providing the Web pages in the form of a plurality of passages.

116. The method of claim 115 wherein the step of creating derivations further comprises the step of allowing a contributor to enter passage characteristics associated with each passage.

117. The method of claim 116 wherein the passage characteristics include subject matter information.

118. The method of claim 116 wherein the passage characteristics include media type.

119. The method of claim 116 wherein the step of viewing further comprises the step of navigating based on the passage characteristics.

120. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of generating attribution information further comprises the step of automatically generating the attribution information when the contributor creates one of the derivations by cutting and pasting material to the derivation from the previously contributed material.

121. The method of claim 107 further comprising the step of automatically advertising the contents of the material on the server to a search engine database.

122. The method of claim 107 further comprising the step of automatically replicating the contents and structure of said Web pages.

123. A server for use in a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications wherein contributors through the use of clients contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages for access by users at the clients for viewing, the server comprising:

means for storing derivations created by a client-based authoring tool used by the contributors based on previously contributed material;

means for ensuring that each derivation is saved as an individual copy so that multiple derivations may be created at the same time;

means for storing attribution information identifying the contributors whose material is used to create the derivations, wherein the attribution information comprises an attribution link from each derivation to the previously contributed material on which that derivation is based;

means for storing a derivation link from the previously contributed material to each derivation based on that previously contributed material, wherein at least a given one of the derivations has an associated derivation that is based on the given derivation, wherein the given derivation and its associated derivation are linked by one of the attribution links and one of the derivation links, and wherein the given derivation and the previous contributed material on which the given derivation is based are linked by another one of the attribution links and another one of the derivation links;

means for providing a navigation tool to at least one of the clients for allowing the users to view the material by navigating along the derivation and attribution links, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to the previously contributed material on which the given derivation is based using the attribution link between the given derivation and that previously contributed material, wherein the users navigate from that previously contributed material to the given derivation using the derivation link between that previously contributed material and the given derivation, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to its associated derivation using the derivation link between the given derivation and its associated derivation, and wherein the users navigate from the associated derivation to the given derivation using the attribution link between the associated derivation and the given derivation; and

means for receiving access information from the client concerning the amount that the previously contributed material and derivations are viewed.

124. A method for use in a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications wherein contributors through the use of clients contribute material that is stored by a server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the stored material for viewing, the method comprising the steps of:

storing derivations created by a client-based authoring tool used by the contributors based on previously contributed material;

ensuring that each derivation is saved as an individual copy so that multiple derivations may be created at the same time;

storing attribution information identifying the contributors whose material is used to create the derivations, wherein the attribution information comprises an attribution link from each derivation to the previously contributed material on which that derivation is based;

storing a derivation link from the previously contributed material to each derivation based on that previously contributed material, wherein at least a given one of the derivations has an associated derivation that is based on the given derivation, wherein the given derivation and its associated derivation are linked by one of the attribution links and one of the derivation links, and wherein the given derivation and the previous contributed material on which the given derivation is based are linked by another one of the attribution links and another one of the derivation links;

providing a navigation tool to at least one of the clients for allowing the users to view the material by navigating along the derivation and attribution links, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to the previously contributed material on which the given derivation is based using the attribution link between the given derivation and that previously contributed material, wherein the users navigate from that previously contributed material to the given derivation using the derivation link between that previously contributed material and the given derivation, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to its associated derivation using the derivation link between the given derivation and its associated derivation, and wherein the users navigate from the associated derivation to the given derivation using the attribution link between the associated derivation and the given derivation; and

receiving access information from the client concerning the amount that the previously contributed material and derivations are viewed.

125. A client for use in a communications network having a server and clients linked by a data network supporting World Wide Web (Web) communications, wherein contributors use the clients to contribute material that is stored by the server in the form of Web pages and users at the clients access the material for viewing, the client comprising:

authoring means used by the contributors for creating derivations based on previously contributed material;

means for ensuring that each derivation is saved as an individual copy so that multiple derivations may be created at the same time;

means for generating attribution information identifying the contributors whose material is used to create the derivations, wherein the attribution information comprises an attribution link from each derivation to the previously contributed material on which that derivation is based;

means for generating a derivation link from the previously contributed material to each derivation based on that previously contributed material, wherein at least a given one of the derivations has an associated derivation that is based on the given derivation, wherein the given derivation and its associated derivation are linked by one of the attribution links and one of the derivation links, and wherein the given derivation and the previous contributed material on which the given derivation is based are linked by another one of the attribution links and another one of the derivation links;

means for viewing the material by navigating along the derivation and attribution links, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to the previously contributed material on which the given derivation is based using the attribution link between the given derivation and that previously contributed material, wherein the users navigate from that previously contributed material to the given derivation using the derivation link between that previously contributed material and the given derivation, wherein the users navigate from the given derivation to its associated derivation using the derivation link between the given derivation and its associated derivation, and wherein the users navigate from the associated derivation to the given derivation using the attribution link between the associated derivation and the given derivation; and

means for providing access information to the server concerning the amount that the previously contributed material and derivations are viewed.