Integrating XML and CORBA to support collaborative writing using off-the-shelf editing software

  • Authors:

  • Kei Shiu Ho;Hong Va Leong;Wai Lam;Robert Wing Pong Luk

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong;Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong;Department of Systems Engineering & Engineering Management, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong;Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

  • Venue:
  • Information Systems
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

In this paper, collaborative writing is modeled as a workflow application comprising a number of activities. Each activity is assigned to a co-author to edit certain part(s) of the shared document. The order of editing is governed by a workflow schedule, which can be modified during execution. To enable concurrent editing, a data definition scheme is proposed whereby documents are transformed into the XML format for internal storage. Effectively, a hierarchical structure is superimposed on each document, allowing it to be broken down into a number of independent parts. These parts may then be separately edited in parallel. Unlike other approaches, the system supports the use of off-the-shelf editor software. Users can thus adapt to the system easily and existing documents can also be re-used rapidly. A prototype has been built which supports collaborative editing of Microsoft WordTM documents.