Collaborative computing: a multi-client multi-server environment

ABSTRACT

Most people think that collaboration implies that several people are sharing work on a single application with shared displays. In fact, collaboration is more. It includes the concurrent control of multiple applications by a collaborative group. To enable this more powerful form of collaboration, we show how to combine earlier mechanisms for single client, multiple server computing with a new mechanism called ESP (Event Sense Protocol) for multiple client, multiple server computing. We describe two extended examples — a working prototype of a multi-user, heterogeneous, distributed debugger and a commercial banking application.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Organizational design

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Interaction styles (e.g., commands, menus, forms, direct manipulation)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Synchronous interaction

  J. Computer Applications
  J.1 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA PROCESSING
      Subjects: Financial (e.g., EFTS)

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Human Factors