Challenges towards a Distributed Persistence Layer for Next Generation CSCW Applications

Mobility is a great chance for embedding computer supported cooperative learning/work (CSCL/W) in users´ everyday life. One of the most important values, added through the use of technology, is the ability to bridge different learning situations across time and space. This can be accomplished through virtual knowledge spaces which provide means to work over a period of time with different people located at different places. However, most current mobility s-supporting CSCL/W platforms lack facilities for distributing cooperation objects in a way that make them available when needed. Our approach for solving this problem is to provide a network-transparent persistence layer for storing and accessing objects in the network of participating nodes. Our solution takes the needs of CSCW applications into account and uses state of the art mechanisms for object distribution and load balancing.