A model for computer supported collaborative work and document re-use

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a model for computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) which shows collaborative authoring and reading and information interchange to be facilitated by international standards (SGML, HyTime), and a widely accepted hypertext reference model (the Dexter model). The new model, called the Dexter-Groupware (DG) model, is an extension of the Dexter hypertext reference model and incorporates a conversion and interchange model (SGML-HyTime-Dexter model) that provides an interchange mechanism to support collaborative work. Based on the DG model, an open environment for CSCW and document re-use is proposed, and a prototype, the MUCH (Many Using and Creating Hypermedia) environment, is described. The MUCH system forms the centre of the environment and a set of import/export tools allows the MUCH system to interchange information with other systems by going through international standards. In addition to interchanging information with other hypermedia systems, the MUCH environment provi...