{# System "release" message (what's new in BSCW 5.1) #} {# This message is shown to users after the server has been upgraded. #}
This BSCW server has been upgraded to a new software release BSCW 5.1. Please take a few moments to learn how to adjust to the new version and what's new in BSCW 5.1.
The new version of BSCW includes a new document preview feature and content view of folders, a completely revised search function, a new document review feature and a new microblogging component that supports instant team communication and improved awareness of other user's activities. Finally, user-defined metadata have been extended by the concept of metadata profiles allowing users to define their own sets of metadata for a group of objects.
The standard details view on folders has been extended by a new content view which may be activated alternatively. The content view offers more information on the content of an object entry, e.g., for documents a preview and abstract (if available), for contacts and user objects a photograph and for folders the names of the objects contained. BSCW can display a preview of the document, which you may additionally have enlarged - just position your cursor over the object type icon of a document in a folder listing!
The BSCW search function has been completely revised and simplified. The easy-to-use dynamic search form makes construction of a complex query a snap. Consequently, there is now only one single search form left for entering your queries. Queries to the Google search engine are no longer supported.
The new Microblogging component in BSCW supports the exchange of short text messages, which are displayed in chronological order. In BSCW, also events are included into microblogging. Microblogs may be focused on single users, members of a workspace or the whole social network, i.e. the users with whom one is in contact via shared workspaces. That way current changes are always at your fingertips.
Document review is used in the production of documents that have to meet a certain quality standard. After editing a document is reviewed by one or more persons responsible and is eventually released or rejected. In BSCW, document review can be defined for single documents or whole folders by specifying the different review steps and the persons responsible.
Metadata attributes of an object may be summarized in a metadata profile. Metadata attributes have a name and a data type (such as text or date) and can be structured into groups within a profile. For most of the existing object types in BSCW (such as Folder or Document) there are predefined system profiles. You may create your own metadata profiles on the basis of the given system profiles and store these profiles for further use in template folders.
A new (optional) alternative and simplified user interface allows easy access to the most basic features of BSCW and can be offered to users who only sporadically login to BSCW. The simplified user interface to BSCW is restricted to essential functions like navigation, creation and deletion of documents and folders as well as searching.
The navigational action shortcut that lets you browse your workspaces is now always accessible since it remains on the same spot of the browser window, even if the window is scrolled. The online status has been extended in such a way that users may indicate in their online status that they do not want to be disturbed. A new popup window provides instant information about other users such as contact data and access to the full user profile.
The automatic emails have been redesigned (e.g. daily workspace activity report) and are now available as HTML email completely. Some BSCW functions have been dropped: the Document Generator (because it is superseded by the improved Website Folder), the Event Monitor (because similar functionality is offered by the event widgets in portals and on the desktop) and the BSCW Desktop client (because many other convenient options for uploading documents exist) are no longer offered at the user interface. In addition, the optional extensions for visualisation of workspace maps and document events have been omitted for technical reasons. The user interface without JavaScript doesn’t meet modern user interface requirements and is therefore no longer offered, i.e. usage of BSCW requires the activation of JavaScript in your browser.
Further information can be obtained from our website on BSCW 5.1 - or just have a look at our new online help.