Method and apparatus for allowing a user to display a pre-defined number of search results on a web page

Abstract

A web server for displaying search results is disclosed. The web server may be configured to present the user a search page for receiving a query from the user and search options regarding the query over the public network from a user; display results of the query to the user on a web page as titles in list form, the titles corresponding to entries retrieved from the database as a result of the query; and wherein the number of titles displayed on the web page corresponds to a user-defined number contained in the search options.

1 . A method for allowing a user to display a pre-defined number of search results on a web page comprising: 
 providing a web-accessible database searchable by a user over a public network, said database including full-page entries posted by users of the database;    presenting the user a search page for receiving a query from the user and search options regarding the query over the public network from a user;    displaying results of said query to the user on a web page as titles in list form, the titles corresponding to entries retrieved from the database as a result of the query; and    wherein the number of titles displayed on the web page corresponds to a user-defined number contained in the search options.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said entries include non-textual content.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said non-textual content comprise graphics.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of allowing a user to store entries in a user-defined category in said web-accessible database.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the act of allowing a user to provide a description for said user-defined category.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of presenting said user a full-page entry containing said content responsive to the user selecting one of said titles.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of displaying a URL associated with said entry.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for allowing a user to display a pre-defined number of search results on a web page comprising: 
 means for providing a web-accessible database searchable by a user over a public network, said database including full-page entries posted by users of the database;    means for presenting the user a search page for receiving a query from the user and search options regarding the query over the public network from a user;    means for displaying results of said query to the user on a web page as titles in list form, the titles corresponding to entries retrieved from the database as a result of the query; and    wherein the number of titles displayed on the web page corresponds to a user-defined number contained in the search options.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said entries include non-textual content.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said non-textual content comprise graphics.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising the act of allowing a user to store entries in a user-defined category in said web-accessible database.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising the act of allowing a user to provide a description for said user-defined category.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising the act of presenting said user a full-page entry containing said content responsive to the user selecting one of said titles.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising the act of displaying a URL associated with said entry.  
   
   
       15 . A web server for displaying search results comprising: 
 a web server including a database searchable by a user over a public network, said database including entries posted by users of the database, the web server configured to: 
 present the user a search page for receiving a query from the user and search options regarding the query over the public network from a user;  
 display results of said query to the user on a web page as titles in list form, the titles corresponding to entries retrieved from the database as a result of the query; and  
 wherein the number of titles displayed on the web page corresponds to a user-defined number contained in the search options.  
   
   
   
       16 . The web server of  claim 15 , wherein said entries include non-textual content.  
   
   
       17 . The web server of  claim 16 , wherein said non-textual content comprise graphics.  
   
   
       18 . The web server of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of allowing a user to store entries in a user-defined category in said web-accessible database.  
   
   
       19 . The web server of  claim 18 , further comprising the act of allowing a user to provide a description for said user-defined category.  
   
   
       20 . The web server of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of presenting said user a full-page entry containing said content responsive to the user selecting one of said titles.  
   
   
       21 . The web server of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of displaying a URL associated with said entry.