Temporal Database Support for Cooperative Creative Work

A data modeling perspective on computer support for collaborative writing is given. In particular, the problem is identified as a temporal database application. The solution proposed is based upon a design system architecture the repository of which uses the GENREG historical data model. GENREG uses event graphs to provide a group memory. Nodes represent the design objects (documents, references, etc.) and edges represent the processes by which they are created. A particular strength of this solution is the ability to represent multiple contexts and perspectives of the collaborators within a single instance of the data model. A prototype Java– based implementation is described.