2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the discussion forum portlet was created by an admin discussion forum portlet.
1. A method for providing access to a discussion forum over a computer network, comprising: configuring a web provider to support a discussion forum portlet; receiving a first request for a web page from a user, the web page comprising the discussion forum portlet, the discussion forum portlet hosting at least one of the one or more discussion forums, wherein the at least one of the one or more discussion forums comprises restricting access through a password, a moderator alias, and at least one of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link or announcements for a specified duration; identifying the web provider at an application server based on the request; transmitting a second request to the web provider for content; parsing the second request at the web provider; checking, at the web provider, one or more central repositories to determine whether the content exists; fulfilling the second request with the content at the web provider; transmitting the information satisfying the second request from the web provider to the application server to be assembled in response to the first request for content by using information about the structure, appearance and operation of requested web page and the information obtained from the web provider; obtaining the content to be displayed in the discussion forum portlet from the web provider; assembling the requested web page at the application server, wherein the application server retrieves information about the structure, appearance, and operation of the web page from a database and thereafter composes the web page with the information and the content from the web provider and the database; and transmitting the web page to the user.