Lancaster's distance-run courses have shifted over time from predominantly using Lotus Notes clients to a preference for web clients. There are a number of reasons for this. On occasion, users have found installation and set up of dedicated Notes client software problematic because, for example, it is against their company policy to install software not specified by a local IT department or their company firewall does not permit Notes client communication.
On the other hand, many users already use Lotus Notes in their organization and are very happy to use it for their learning activities too. For the averagely IT- literate person, often emolled on a short-term course, the overhead of installing and learning about a full Lotus Notes client is too much. This is particularly apparent now that all of them have a web browser and can easily connect to a course web site. One major virtue of the Notes client, namely the ability to work while disconnected, is becoming available to web browsers too. This is a very recent development and so far we have not made the facility available to staff or students.
176 The Digital University - Building a Learning Community Earlier problems such as unreadable floppy discs and unrecognized modem types have largely disappeared because virtually everyone now has a CD drive and working internet connection. The need for supporting documentation is also greatly reduced when using web clients instead of Notes clients, although the impact of Domino offline services (DOLS) on the documentation has yet to be assessed.
11.6.1 Replication
Perhaps one of the main difficulties distance learners experience with the Notes client is the concept of replication. This is where an identical copy of a database, held on the Notes server, is made on a leamer's own machine. A learner can then work on the database locally, i.e., without incurring any network connection charges, an important consideration for distance learners.
After this initial copy is made, the learner must regularly update the server copy (replicate with it) to register comments they have made and 'collect' any comments that have been made by others.
Since the on- and offline working environments in Notes are so similar, learners sometimes forget to replicate and wonder why things are so quiet. The importance of regular replication is stressed in the supporting documentation and demonstration and practice of the process at residential workshops reduces the problem.
Lancaster's Notes servers are available to remote Notes client users by one dedicated direct-dial modem and by the Internet. Lancaster University provides a dialup internet access service and only a few off-campus users still connect to Notes by direct dialup.
Typical remote connections average only 3 to 4 minutes. Connections are short because of Notes' built-in offline working environment and replication capability.
Users can schedule replication to occur during quiet periods (typically at night) or click a button to begin an ad hoc replication whenever they choose. In both cases, their Notes client automatically connects to their server, exchanges changes and disconnects. People need to work online only briefly when initiating the first replication of a conference.
11.6.2 The Groupware Mindset
Another conceptual hiccup tends to be a result of the need to encourage people away from an email-centric view of the world and towards a groupware mindset.
Since many users are familiar with email, they expect conferences to be an extension of that, which, of course, in some ways they are.
The main difference is to ensure people understand that everyone with access to a discussion space can read what is written, even if they are not writing anything.
Using Lotus Notes for Asynchronous Collaborative Learning and Research 177 There have been instances of personal messages being placed in a public discussion space because the person had forgotten that this was not private email.
11.6.3 Hardware
Notes release 5 is available as a dedicated client application for Windows NT/95/98 and Mac Power PC with OS/9. The design client is available only for Windows. There is a dedicated administration application for Windows clients and, in any case, any Domino server can be administered from a web client.
The Domino server is currently available for Windows (NT2000, NT4, 98, 95, NT Alpha), Solaris 2.6 Intel & SPARC, OS/2, Linux (Intel: Caldera, Red Hat, SuSE, Turbolinux), IBM (AIX, AS/400, S/390) and HP-UX.
The Notes release 5 Windows NT client requires a minimum recommended specification of a Pentium compatible processor, 32Mb RAM and 112Mb of disc storage. The R5 client after release 5.03 is certified for Windows 2000.
11.6.4 Development versus Stability
The very rapid evolution of HTTP-related technology and universities' inherent interest in keeping up with developments and trends means that new ways of supporting and enhancing opportunities for collaboration are appearing all the time.
On the other hand, many of the people actually collaborating online do not always appreciate alterations to their online environment or suggestions that they upgrade or change their web browser.
This can create tension; for example, development is easier if sites are written for specific browsers, while on the other hand there may be a legal requirement (as in the UK) not to discriminate against a disabled person by :
(a) refusing to provide or deliberately not providing a service;
(b) offering a lower standard of service;
(c) providing a service on worse terms.
In terms of a web environment, this means ensuring that all pages are available and usable in text-only mode. Use of image-maps, Javascript and even HTML tables in web pages can make them difficult or impossible for sight-impaired people to use with screen-reading software.
Using a database-driven web system like Domino means that content can more easily be served in whatever form the user requires and that new facilities can be added to the site simply by changing the database design and without any need to alter site content.
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