3 different views, xy, xz, yz, technique question

i need to write a program that views the ‘world’ in 3 different views, xy, xz, yz. basically, sort of flatten each view. my question is, which would be easier?

-for each view, translate how each object is being set in the world

or

-somehow move the camera so it is viewing from the other axis.

You can use glulookat or any combination of glRotate and glTranslate on the modelview stack to orient the camera. Look at the chapter on viewing in the redbook.
http://www.rush3d.com/reference/opengl-redbook-1.1/chapter03.html