RobbieD - 11:55 am on Aug 11, 2003 (gmt 0)

A portal is indeed a starting place, but it's not a destination. A "portal" is a something that takes you elsewhere.

I disagree. While I think what you are saying has truth to it, it is not the full truth.

Yes, a "portal" can take you elsewhere but I think the long term goal of most portals is to retain a loyal following to most of their In-House services. Most people that use portals on a daily basis also use one or more of the services quite often if not daily.

My question is still what makes or breaks a portal?
Why are Y! and MSN so popular? Just the brand? Most people? If the answer is yes to either of them, then what is the secret to building a new portal?

[edited by: RobbieD at 12:11 pm (utc) on Aug. 11, 2003]