Stories about: Collaborative Computing

DEMO executive producer Chris Shipley isn't sure what to call the evolution of Web 2.0 software and applications, but she is sure of one thing: It shouldn't be called Web 3.0.

Oracle plans to release WebCenter Suite before the end of the month, a product for building application interfaces that incorporate content from a variety of sources as well as "Web 2.0" tools such as blogs and wikis.

For twenty years, PC users have gazed at standard 'desktops' and operating systems that allowed them limited interaction with business partners using similar machines.

In high tech it has always been the same. What to an outsider may seem like an inconsequential piece of new technology, to an insider is visionary. This is the case with the recent ISO preliminary vote approving the OpenDocument format as a specification, not to mention the excitement surrounding the fact that the OpenDocument Foundation has completed a plug-in for Microsoft Office that allows Office applications to create ODF documents natively.

WestGrid, one of Canada's most impressive supercomputing projects, just got a big shot in the arm.

Deploying a grid infrastructure can help companies dramatically improve hardware utilization rates and boost computing power. But the massive resource aggregation and wider end-user access enabled by grids also have the potential to magnify security risks, implementers say.

Lotus executives last week offered reassurance to corporate users that they remain firmly committed to the future of Notes client and Domino server products, despite persistent rumors that IBM's Workplace collaboration technology might largely replace them.

Harvard University and IBM are developing a universitywide computing grid for student and faculty research, data sharing and collaboration in life sciences, engineering and applied sciences, they announced Wednesday.

Microsoft will introduce a new per-user licensing option with the release of Exchange Server 2003 later this year, legitimizing the way many companies use existing versions of Exchange.

Those who rely on a smile and a handshake to close a deal might never embrace Web conferencing, but for the rest of us - including every stripe of remote worker - the technology is proving a smart way to strengthen collaboration and trim costs.

Lotus recently named 20-year IBM veteran Ambuj Goyal to run its Lotus Software division and lead the company into the next era of collaborative computing. Goyal, whose first name ironically means Lotus in Indian, was formerly the head of IBM Solutions and Strategy where he built the WebSphere Business Integration business and led the acquisition of Crossworlds Software Inc. and Holosofx. He helped develop the component strategy for Domino software, developed IBM's first Enterprise Java Beans technology and helped create DB2. He sat down Monday at Lotusphere with John Fontana to talk about his background and his goals for the future of Lotus under the IBM Software Group.