Portals have been developed as doorways to the Web information space, and serve as surfers' starting point. A typical portal has a search engine and/or a subject catalogue combined with other services and interactive content. An information (subject) gateway, on the other hand, is a Web site that provides searchable and browsable catalogue of Internet based resources typically focused on one particular subject or subject area.
How should we design and maintain portals and information gateways?
Should we distinguish between the two? Present your experience as a user or as an author!