Channels for End-User Collaboration

Portal Server offers four channels that enable end users to do the following:

• Communicate effectively and efficiently with others who use the same applications

• Organize and schedule tasks and appointments

The channels are the following:

• Mail—Displays mail messages sent to end users. Allows end users to view and manage mail messages.

• Address Book—Displays name and address entries. Allows end users to view and manage the entries.

• Calendar—Displays calendar events and tasks. Allows end users to view and manage the events and tasks.

• Instant Messaging—Displays the presence status of users with access to Sun Java^TM System Instant Messenger. Allows end users to conduct real-time communication with other end users on their contact list.

These portlets are not specific to portal community pages. They are also available for portal pages delivered to organizations, suborganizations, and roles.

End users use the Desktop to access these channels. By designing each channel's edit page, administrators control whether the end user can edit the communications channels. Options granted to end users are limited or extended. The administrator:

• Can configure channels to work without the need for end-user server configuration

• Can select which specific features end users can edit by using the channel's Edit button

• Can allow end users to configure a second channel, such as a mail application, on the Desktop, if a site provides more than one instance of a particular application