University Portals as Gateway or Wall, Narrative, or Database

Abstract

Most definitions of a portal involve the term “gate” or “gateway” and a Web portal can thus be seen as a gateway to information and services on the Web. In the context of corporate intranets, and universities in particular, the allusion is to the entrance to a walled city. The parallel is worthy of some consideration. As technologies develop and intranets expand to provide information tailored to specific user requirements, and access to personal information, authentication becomes a central issue.