Electronic Collaborative workspace

collaborating the wiki Way Working together is faster and easier with a collaborative workspace

A collaborative workspace or shared workspace is an inter-connected environment in which all the participants in dispersed locations can access and interact with each other just as inside a single entity. The environment may be supported by electronic communications and groupware which enable participants to overcome space and time differentials. These are typically enabled by a shared mental model, common information, and a shared understanding by all of the participants regardless of physical location.

Communication comes in two forms: synchronous and asynchronous. Asynchronous communication includes email, and shared file systems where information is based back and forth in a non-interative, sequential manner. The popularity of synchronous forms has developed over recent years with the increase in processing capabilities and the widespread availablilty of high speed internet providers. These include video and voice messaging services including shared whiteboard capabilities. Program sharing has also become available to allow remote users to share much more detailed information through CAD packages, spreadsheets, etc. and have access to these in real time.

Definition from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_workspace

The Collaborative Workspace supports synchronous cooperation and participation by providing a shared informational space and coordination tools as resources to manage teamwork in a collaborative way. The system design was based on a paper-based metaphor, resulting in a top-projected space where virtual sheets of paper can be created, edited, rotated and shared by the participants. Every document is contained into a Rotate able Window that implements the basic functionalities for sharing virtual objects into a horizontal stage in a collaborative context. The collaborative workspace interface is developed using the Collaborative Workspace Framework, a toolkit based on the Microsoft Vista technology for the development of robust horizontal interfaces.