Some providers are capable of generating multiple channels based upon their configuration. This chapter details the basics of developing new content channels for the desktop and introduces a sample provider. The content for the columns will be provided by providers, which are custom Java classes. The Java classes are invoked by the desktop Servlet and the output is inserted into the output of the entire desktop for display. Each provider may define the look of the content section of part, or, the whole layout.
Channels can define their width as either thick or thin.
The absolute width is dependent upon the size of the browser window. The iPlanet Portal Server package includes several sample Content Providers in the SUNWips package. The following sections explain the process to compile the providers, and add them to an existing iPlanet Portal Server installation. See the iPlanet Portal Server Administration Guide for information on adding custom providers. The following sample works well with a default installation.