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Workspaces

Workspaces are the working environments for the user. They consist of a number of Blocks that work like small editor windows and can be arranged on the workspaces, as well as additional information that can be accessed through the permanent workspace-blocks (they cannot be closed).

Any time a new block is created, the workspace window should scroll down to it (if it makes sense at that point), or alternatively give a visual hint that a new block was created and hasn't been looked at yet.

The configuration of blocks should be saved with cookies and the user warned, that clearing the cookies or switching computers results in the loss of all blocks, and Tables, Maps etc. have to be reopened.

Every user starts with the Default-Workspace (Home) which acts as a playground for work that is not yet related to a certain project or goal and cannot be shared with other users.

Every other workspace is given a separate browser tab/window and therefore a webpage on its own.

Through a special block, the workspace-block, settings for the workspace such as title, description (and maybe access rights for othere users?) can be entered. Only exception is the Default-Workspace (Home); instead of workspace settings, this block allows the user to access account information.

Every workspace contains a resources list (bookmarks), which is simply put a list of bookmarked objects created by the user or somebody else. The Home-Workspace bookmark list by default contains all the objects created by the user, on the other workspaces the user has to manually bookmark objects to add them. This bookmarking system is supposed to facilitate finding important Tables, Views etc. whenever they have to be opened or included into another object (like e.g. in maps and views). An object created in a certain workspace should be automatically added to the workspace's resources list when it is saved.

Any object can be bookmarked when it is opened in a block by clicking the bookmark (star) symbol to the right.

All the Objects (Tables, Views, Maps...) created by the user are accessible from every Workspace and not organized into folders or "possessed" by any workspace.

Workspaces can be shared between users.

Every workspace contains a section for saving notes that are visible to everyone who has access to the workspace.

The configuration of Blocks should only be saved per user and not per workspace, otherwise working on it with multiple users might get complicated, as everyone can move, open and close Blocks as he/she wishes.

Before a user can leave a workspace, a prompt should ask if unsaved changes should be saved to avoid data loss.

Every workspace should have a direct link back to the default/home workspace.

Every workspace is assigned a color, defined by the creator/admin of the workspace.

Changes done to a workspace by another user should be reported back to the other users in their notes/notifications, marked in the color of the workspace.

Whenever one user is editing an object, it should be locked down to all the other users (saying who is working on it) so that no editing glitches occur.

Properties

• a workspace has a description (smaller or longer text)
• a workspace has messages (small texts ordered by time of posting)
• a workspace can be assigned a color
• a workspace is created and owned by one user, the owner can decide to share ownership with other users