System and method for facilitating collaboration in a shared email repository

摘要

The present invention facilitates collaboration on electronic messages. Methods are provided in which an electronic message is stored and presented to users. A user is allowed to perform an action on the electronic message and the action is recorded. Additionally, the record is associated with the electronic message. The users are notified of the action.

主权项

1. A method for enabling collaboration on electronic messages, the method comprising:
grouping two or more users into a set of collaborators; storing, by an email server, electronic messages being collaborated on by members of the set of collaborators in an email repository in communication with the email server; providing a common interface for an electronic message mailbox containing the electronic messages stored in the email repository, the common interface being common to the members of the set of collaborators such that the members of the set of collaborators share access to the electronic message mailbox; viewing through the common interface, by two or more members of the set of collaborators, each using an electronic mail client to communicate with the email server to access the electronic message mailbox, the electronic message mailbox containing the electronic messages stored in the email repository; and displaying, at each electronic mail client, through the common interface, (1) one or more of the electronic messages contained in the electronic message mailbox, and (2) an indicator of actions that have been taken on a given electronic message by members of the set of collaborators, said actions comprising annotations to the given message by the members.