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Looking towards the 2.6 timeframe, we may see synergies between the alternative layout managers. Another place for improvement here is in enabling programmatic creation of layout fragments. Sources for layout information may extend beyond databases and XML files to enable such things as a runtime interrogation of a CMS for generating layout portions presenting appropriate managed content.
Nested tabs
As more content becomes available, we may need more screen real estate upon which to present it. Nested tabs and even more tree-like skins for uPortal may be the way to achieve this. Nested tabs have already been implemented by schools such as Virginia Tech. Even more schools may be able to take advantage of this approach if uPortal includes transforms/skins out of the box demonstrating more advanced presentations than the current tab-column approach.