EXTENSIBLE USER INTERFACE FOR VIEWING OBJECTS OVER A NETWORK

An extensible common data access user interface is disclosed. The interface operates by storing user interface information in a display database, preferably part of a directory services database, and then coupling that user interface information to the data it will display. The directory service database data to be displayed via the user interface information is in the form of data records of a predefined type stored on at least one of the servers. A second database, preferably part of the same directory service, is stored on the same or another server. The second database contains display records of display information that indicates how records of the predefined type are to be displayed. The predefined record type and the display record are coupled together, preferably by sharing a common naming convention, so that a workstation can display data records of the predefined type by locating the corresponding display record.