QuickStudy: Collaboration Software

Virtualization Everywhere Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts

July 19, 2004 (Computerworld) -- In many ways, computers make collaboration more awkward than we want. Go into any meeting carrying a piece of paper and, barring language problems, you know that other people in the room can read it, mark it up, pass it around and file it away.

Life isn't nearly so simple with electronic documents. It's considerably harder to mark up a Web page or to use the same filing system for e-mail and other documents -- and even if you can do those things, your systems may not work well or be readily accessible to other applications, whether located on your PC or on someone else's.

Even though there are many collaboration and document-sharing applications on the market, it's still true that for the most part, the way we share files is to e-mail them back and forth as attachments. While this has been surprisingly productive for many people, it's a long way from collaboration.

In fact, this isn't significantly different from the "sneakernet" days of hand-carrying floppy disks from one desk to another.

Network Not Enough

Even though networked computers allow high-speed communications and the fast and easy exchange of data and documents, it's still remarkably difficult for a group of users to work together on a project from separate computers. Doing so requires all involved parties to install a variety of programs and utilities on their PCs.

All that started to change back in 1989, when Ray Ozzie at Lotus Development Corp. brought forth Notes, the first program that attempted to integrate a number of communication, scheduling and database-driven activities into a single software package that was designed from the start to live on a network.

In the years since, many other companies have attempted to produce and market collaboration software, using very different models and approaches. But no one has yet reached the goal of seamless, transparent, hassle-free collaboration between groups.

Collaboration can be done formally, from the top down, through established procedures and processes, or it can be done informally, from the bottom up, as communities and project teams collaborate in an ad hoc way.

Some large organizations may be concerned about the proliferation of project-based collaboration software, and they are likely to want a cohesive plan for supporting (i.e., managing and controlling) collaboration across the enterprise.

Print this Story

Send Us Feedback

E-mail this Story

Digg this Story

Slashdot this Story

Sidebar: Roots of Digital Collaboration Collaboration Software Sidebar: Collaboration Software Vendors

Sidebar: Why Users Resist Digital Collaboration

"It's IT Blogwatch: in which billionaire investor Carl Icahn starts a proxy fight to restart the Microsoft/Yahoo merger talks. Not..." Read more... "I've just put the beta of OpenOffice 3 through its paces, and found that the office suite can do just..." Read more... Read more Desktop Applications posts or See all Blogs

Mozilla launches Firefox 3.0 RC1 early Microsoft: Don't misunderstand UAC, other Vista features HP confirms XP SP3 endless reboot snafu, promises patch More top stories...

Microsoft pulls Windows Home Server backup feature Yahoo tells Icahn that its own board knows best Tools circulate that crack Debian, Ubuntu keys

Shuttle Columbia's hard drive data recovered from crash site Specialists have retrieved about 99% of the data on a disk drive on board the crashed space shuttle Columbia. Don't miss the photographs of the recovered drive. The top 15 vaporware products of all time These big ideas were supposed to revolutionize technology, but they never actually appeared. In a few cases, you'll be glad they didn't. Opinion: Malware vs. anti-malware, 20 years into the fray Nearly 20 years after the first Internet worm, Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols takes stock of the malware/anti-malware landscape and spotlights how the two sides are approaching the battle. Leopard at six months: Does it live up to the early hype? Though some thought it was released too soon, Mac OS X 10.5 has matured into a solid operating system, says reviewer Michael DeAgonia. Windows Vista A to Z Reviews, analyses, how-tos, visual tours, hot issues and predictions about Microsoft's new OS. More Continuing Coverage After 9/11: Homeland SecurityAsk a Premier 100 IT LeaderBlackBerry Legal BattleData Security BreachesElectronic VotingFirefoxH-1B VisasHP's Boardroom ScandalHandheld DevicesHurricane Katrina AftermathMicrosoft Legal IssuesMicrosoft's VistaOpen SourceRFID TechnologySCO's Linux FightSarbanes-Oxley ActSpamVoice Over IPWi-FiWindows Meta File VulnerabilityWindows XP Service Pack 2 IT Careers 2010 Four years from now, the IT field will be a vastly different place. Will you be ready? More Special Reports Premier 100 IT Leaders 2007 Best in Class2006 Computerworld Horizon Awards2006 Premier 100 IT Leaders2006 Salary Survey2007 Best Places to Work in IT2007 IT Forecast2007 Premier 100 IT Leaders40 Years of ComputerworldASPs, Take TwoBest Places to Work in IT 2003Best Places to Work in IT 2004Best Places to Work in IT 2005Best Places to Work in IT 2006Business Intelligence Home RunsBusiness Intelligence: Smarter BIBusiness Intelligence: The Future of BICRM Goes VerticalCRM: Sober CRMCareer Planning Guide 2005Careers: IT Profession 2010Computerworld Horizon Awards 2005Data Management: Mining for GemsData Management: Taming Data ChaosDevelopment: Hard-Workin' Web SitesDevelopment: New Tools New ChoicesDevelopment: The New World of Application DevelopmentDevelopment: The Web Services TsunamiDevelopment: Web Services HurdlesDisaster Recovery: Preparing for the WorstE-commerce Grows UpE-mail/Groupware: Big DecisionsFaces of Mobile ITForecast 2006Global MobileHardware: Multiple Cores, Multiple ChallengesHardware: On-Demand Un-HypedHardware: The Shape of Things to ComeHorizon Awards: 10 Cool Cutting Edge TechnologiesIT Management: Guide to Managing VendorsIT Management: Navigating Global ITIT Management: Recovery AheadIT Management: The Future of ITIT Management: The Resourceful Project ManagerInnovative Technology Awards 2004Management: Reinventing ITMicrosoft in TransitionMobile/Wireless Leaders and LaggardsMobile/Wireless: The Untethered WorkerMobile/Wireless: Tiny Gadgets, Huge CostsNetwork Management: Taking ControlNetworking: Turbulence Ahead!Networking: VoIP Goes MainstreamOperating Systems: In the Slow LaneOperating Systems: Linux Goes GlobalOperating Systems: Should You Nix Unix?Outsourcing: Offshore Buyer's GuideOutsourcing: Outsourcing DangersPremier 100 IT Leaders 2004 Best in ClassPremier 100 IT Leaders 2005 Best in ClassROI: Do the Math!Salary Survey 2003Salary Survey 2004Salary Survey 2005Security Action PlanSecurity: Compliance HeadachesSecurity: Proactive SecuritySecurity: Risk and RewardSecurity: Tips From Security ProsSouped-up SecurityStorage: Battling ComplexityStorage: Cheap & Secure Data StoresStorage: Stretching Your Storage DollarsStorage: The Lean Storage MachineStorage: The New Rules of StorageStorage: The Ultimate Backup GuideSupply Chain: Missing LinksSupply Chain: RFID Reality CheckThe Business of SecurityWeb 2.0 SecurityWireless: Wireless At Work All Zones Application Performance Zone Enterprise-Class Security Zone Enterprise Solutions Zone The File Data Management Zone Grid Computing on Windows Zone Security Management Zone ITIL Best Practices Zone The SAS Zone Storage Virtualization Zone The Data Center Management Zone See your link here

Computerworld Report: Storage Gets Strategic Download this Computerworld Report, free, compliments of HP. (Source: Computerworld) Data Storage has emerged from the back room to become a key part of regulatory compliance, disaster recovery and strategic tecnhology plans. Learn more in this new this Computerworld report, a $49.95 value, available free for a limited time, compliments of HP. Download this executive briefing  E-Mail As a Service: Time for Another Look? E-Mail As a Service: Time for Another Look? Download this webcast, compliments of Google. Go to the webcast  3 Building Blocks for a Profitable Green IT Strategy Get this white paper now! (Source: Verdiem) This practical white paper compares "greening" your IT department to "greening" your home: the key to a lasting return is starting with small steps. Learn how to create an IT carbon footprint baseline, draft a list of objectives, and implement for the best ROI. Download this white paper  White Papers Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. Securing Financial Services Beyond the Perimeter Intercept Spam & Viruses With MessageLabs Meeting PCI Compliance with SonicWALL Global Management System View more whitepapers

• Sidebar: Roots of Digital Collaboration
• Collaboration Software
• Sidebar: Collaboration Software Vendors
• Sidebar: Why Users Resist Digital Collaboration

• Mozilla launches Firefox 3.0 RC1 early
• Microsoft: Don't misunderstand UAC, other Vista features
• HP confirms XP SP3 endless reboot snafu, promises patch
• More top stories 

ITIL Best Practices Zone BMC provides the ITIL solutions you need to drive business value through better management of technology and IT processes. Learn more in the BMC ITIL Best Practices Zone. Learn more in the ITIL Best Practices Zone See All Zones



In Depth: Apple's Leopard leaps to new heights A refined look, revamped apps and new options build on an already solid OS foundation. Read more...



How Operating Systems Create Network Efficiency Lake Partners Strategy Consultants conducted research to understand the efficiencies created by different operating systems. Read the whitepaper to learn about the findings, including how in specific network areas JUNOS software creates significant operational efficiencies. Download this white paper now!



This podcast delivers summaries of key technologies and concepts every week. Listen to the short program on your iPod or in your Web browser. This Week: Darwin Information Typing Architecture,  List of Episodes Subscribe