This paper presented a prototype architecture for a CSCW system which supports human collaboration by means of explicit informal and implicit formal or semi-formal human interaction. To avoid users from performing repetitive and easy but time consuming work, an agent component is going to be integrated.
The current prototype version of Cooperation-Ware includes a number of components that have been developed independently: The CoNus system which provides a cooperative multi-user interface, shared objects and mechanisms for synchronous and autonomous work. These components include the video conferencing and application sharing tools developed within the BERKOM-2-Project. The model for agent-based cooperation is a further development of components resulting from the Esprit II IMAGINE project. At the current stage a fully integrated functionally enhanced Cooperation-Ware platform is under implementation.
The Cooperation-Ware system will be ported to ISDN and ATM network platforms, and to PC/Windows systems. A special 3D virtual reality user interface is under development. This user interface provides additional cognitive feedback through 3D animations when users navigate between different rooms. It also provides more naturalistic illusion of working in the same room.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank their co-workers Birgit Otto, Martin Schneider, and Donald Steiner from the Cooperation-Ware team and the Marvin and the GroupX project teams for their contribution on the audio/video components and application sharing, respectively. Special thanks to Michael Berger for his careful proof reading and his contributions on issues on consistency.