Content and user resources
Content resources are Java™ classes (.class), Java archive (.jar), and resource (.hrf, or XML) files that are used to access user data or Web content (such as text, a graphic, an applet, or JavaScript™). The content is displayed when you request a JSP or servlet that dynamically generates and formats a Web page in the appropriate format, such as HTML or XML. When personalizing your Web site, you do not have to customize every element--only the content that you want to selectively display, or perhaps suppress. For example, a given page might consist of 40% static content and 60% variable content, based on particular user characteristics or business conditions, while other pages might be 100% static content.
Site visitors' needs and interests are stored as properties in the user profile data store. Many sites obtain the user needs and preferences by using an HTML input form. The input form includes information that seldom changes (such as the user name and address) and information that must be updated over time (such as gift wish lists). In addition to explicit information provided by the site visitor in the HTML input form, a business might also programmatically update the user profile data store with information obtained from other sources. These sources could include an analysis of a user's action on the Web site and data from a user's non-Web interactions with the business.
Although users are unique, personalizing Web content does not often require creating totally unique content for each user. Users can be classified or grouped into categories that facilitate personalization. For example, on an internal Web site, certain information might be appropriate for managers, while other content may be suitable for salespersons.
Related concepts
Using Personalization wizards and resources
User resources, content resources, and content spots
Related reference
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