GROUPKIT
Mark Roseman, Saul Greenberg · 1992
This paper presents our approach to the design of groupware toolkits for real-time work, and how the design is instantiated in our toolkit, GROUPKIT.The design is based on both the technical underpinnings necessary for real-time groupware, and on user-centered features identified by existing CSCW human factors work.We also present three strategies for building GROUPKIT's components.First, an extendible, object-oriented run-time architecture supports managing distributed processes and the communication between them.Second, transparent overlays offer a convenient method for adding general components to various groupware applications, for example supporting gestures via multiple cursors and annotation via sketching.Third, open protocols allow the groupware designer to create a wide range of interface and interaction policies, accommodating group differences in areas such as conference registration and floor control.