Inventors:
George P. Moromisato - Cambridge MA, US
Gregory S. Klabish - Malden MA, US
Jerry J. Shekhel - Swampscott MA, US
Pamela J. Taylor-Paris - Upton MA, US
Mark R. Szamrej - Westford MA, US
Raymond E. Ozzie - Manchester MA, US
Eric M. Patey - Rockport MA, US
Patrick M. Halvorsen - Andover MA, US
Assignee:
Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA
International Classification:
G06F 15/16
G06F 3/00
US Classification:
709204, 709205, 715751, 715752, 715753
Abstract:
A conventional operating system folder or directory based file system is implemented with, or enhanced to provide, attributes of shared collaborative workspaces. In particular, the conventional file system is connected to either a server based or a distributed collaboration system and the user interface of the operating system file system is augmented to allow it to control aspects of the collaboration system. Each folder or directory can be synchronized and treated as a “workspace” that can be viewed and shared with other users or groups of users. Folder can also be provided with “awareness” information that indicates collaborators that are present and those that are sharing the workspace.