Impromptu Workspace allows users to share files and collaborately view and editing these files.
Each user is presented with the same GUI. The GUI has a Pie in the center. Within the pie, each user is represented by a slice. Each shared file is represented by a dot. The local user's slice looks darker than other slices. Each slice displays what files that user is sharing. Each user can pick a color, which is used to depict the name of the user, a colorful marker on the edge of the pie, and all files shared by that user.
The outside of the pie represents the private space of a local user, where the user can put files that the user does not want to share yet.
The owning user can do anything with files that the user shares. For other users, the possible operations are determined by the sharing degree of a shared file. There are four degrees of sharing. The "see only" files, which are put in the outer outermost ring (excluding the colorful edge), are files that other users can be aware of their existence but can do no more operations. The "read only" files, whic are put in the second outermost ring, are files that other users can read. The "read/write" files, which are put in the ring that is near the center circle, are files that others can not only read but also modify. Finally, the "persistent" files, which are put in the center circle, are files that shared by one user but will be continually served by another user even after the original owing user leaves.
When you start Impromptu Workspace, the Workspace starts fresh, sharing no files to others. You need to import files that you want to share.
When you start, the Workspace displays what files other users are sharing.
When you exit the Workspace, all your files will no longer be shared, unless they are put in the persisten space, in which case another user will keep serving these files.
The Impromptu Workspace does not allow sharing directories. You can share all files under a directory, though.
If another user already shares a file with a certain name, you can no longer share a file with the same name. You either need to rename the file, or wait until that user leaves the shared Workspace.
There are two ways to import files that you want to share with others.
You can drag a set of files from your native application (Windows Explorer or Mac Finder) and drop them onto the Workspace. These files will be imported and displayed at the drop point. The drop point also determines what other users can do with these shared files, based on what ring the drop point belongs to.
You can change the position of your file by dragging a file to a new place.
If the place lies in a different ring than the original ring, the new ring determines the new sharing level of the file.
You can right click on the file, and choose the "Delete" item from the pop up menu. The file will be deleted from the shared repository.
If any of the shared files that you own are changed by either you or other users, when you exit, the Workspace asks you whether you want to save the changes or not. Choose yes to save the changes. (It will overwrite the original copy of the file.)
You can also use "File/Save My Changed Files" to save changes during normal operation.
You can right click on the file, and choose the "Save" item from the pop up menu.
When you choose the "Delete" item from the pop up menu, if the file has been modified, you will also be asked whether you want to save the changes.
Impromptu Workspace mount the shared workspace as a regular file system drive or directory, thus allowing any applications of your operating systems access the shared files. You can treat it like an integrated part of your file system and operate with your familar tools. On Windows, the default drive is "I". On Mac, the defaul mount point is "/Volumes/Impromptu".
On Windows, for some reason the "net use" command used by Impromptu Workspace does not always function correctly. If you receive an error that reports mount failure, you can try to restart Impromptu Workspace. Or you can log off Windows, log on again, and restart Impromptu Workspace.
During test, you can manually type, in a command prompt window, the command "net use i: http://localhost/files /user:Username password". You might need to try several times. If Windows reports an error of 1219 (Conflicting credentials), then you have to log off Windows, log on again, and restart Impromptu Workspace.
You can choose "Zoom In" and "Zoom Out" from the "View" menu to zoom in and zoom out the dipaly.
You can choose "Increase Dot Size" and "Descrease Dot Size" from the "View" menu to increase or decrease the size of dots by 10%, respectively.
If you want to see the description for files, check the "Show Tip Message" item from the "View" menu.
You can choose the "Change color..." item from the "View" menu. Select a color you want to use for your slice and your files.
Your choice will be picked up by other present users. A user joins after you change your color WILL NOT pick up your change (and still uses your old color for display).
Your chosen color is saved when you exit. When you come back, the color you choose last time is used.