Integrating synchronous and asynchronous collaboration with virtual network computing

With thin-client virtual network computing technology, the support for synchronous collaboration offered by traditional CSCW tools has been extended to asynchronous participation in a shared workspace. Using frame buffer rectangles to relay pixel values, the system considered acquires and stores the ongoing computer session and offers all participants a joint viewing of their shared workspace. The system also forwards input from the real-time conferees to the remote session and offers support for teleoperations from multiple distributed users. It also lets latecomers retrieve and play back parts of the session they have missed with VCR-like control (fast forward, rewind, play, and stop). Distributed users can access the remote session from heterogeneous platforms such as X Window or Windows NT, or with a Web browser such as Netscape.