What is CoWord?
CoWord converts MS Word into a real-time multi-user
collaborative word processor. With CoWord, you and your collaborators can edit the same MS Word document at
anytime (the same time or different times) over the Internet. Changes made to the
document are immediately displayed for all users to see. See
CoWord's collaboration features.
As CoWord retains the "look-and-feel" and functionalities of Word, you will be able to edit collaboratively in
your familiar environment. See
CoWord's editing features.
CoWord is currently Free for public use. Download CoWord
See videos of situations where CoWord can be useful CoWord in Action
A screen shot of CoWord. Two users are editing the same document at the same time using CoWord with MS Word 2003. (Click to enlarge)
What are the technologies behind CoWord?
CoWord is powered by GCE (Generic Collaboration Engine). GCE integrates a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art collaborative technologies and can be used to convert existing and new single-user applications into advanced collaboration tools without making any change to the
source code of the original application, as we have done to convert MS Word into CoWord.
The innovative technology that glues GCE and the single-user applications
together is Transparent Adaptation (TA). Details of technologies behind
CoWord can be found in our publications.
You can build your own real-time collaborative editing systems with GCE! Find out more about GCE here or download GCE.
CoPowerPoint
CoPowerPoint is a follow-up project of CoWord. It converts MS PowerPoint into a real-time multi-user collaborative slide authoring and presentation system. CoPowerPoint shares the same GCE as CoWord.