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by: Thom Yarbrough
Word Count: 610
Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 Time: 4:21 PM
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Defined by IBM Software Group as "an integrated desktop client option for accessing business e-mail, calendars and applications on an IBM Lotus Domino server," Lotus Notes has been around for some time, but was mainly used as a simple contact management database. Today's Mac-based Lotus Notes provides blogs, wikis, RSS aggregators, customer relationship management (CRM) and help desk systems, and organizations can build a variety of custom applications using Domino Designer. Mac users seem to rave the most concerning Lotus Notes, but users everywhere have a lot of positive things to say about this application.

Mac-based Lotus Notes runs on the Eclipse Framework. What this means to you as a user is that you have the opportunity to enjoy an unlimited number of application upgrades as these are developed within Eclipse, an open-source network defined by collaborative user-developed innovations. For instance, instead of dragging and dropping mere files, you are able to drag and drop folders in Lotus Notes. You can also duplicate unread marks, edit attachments and save any changes back via email.

In terms of design, you will find the features of the application safe and easy to use. Tight security features ensure that your computer is less prone to, if not free from, virus attacks whenever you launch the application. The following features also make Mac-based Lotus Notes quite superior among the regular lot:

* Dialog Boxes. Experience greater flexibility with dialog boxes. If you're used to Windows applications that require you to close the dialog box before you can select, format or alter the text, you'll be amazed that this is not the case with Mac-based Lotus Notes. You can leave any dialog boxes open as you make any changes to your hyperlinks, formatted text or other rich-text documents. There's a nice extra to the properties dialog boxes too: instant text type recognition and a matching list of recommended and compatible formatting options.

* Tab-Friendly Table Formatting Capabilities. The application allows tables to be formatted using tabs in regular documents, e-mailed messages or rich-text fields. This is a convenient option for users who are accustomed to navigating web portals and organizing content through tabbing.

* Deletions. Say hello to convenient document deletions. Other applications often burden you with the task of searching for then deleting the same file stored in various folders, and these can be cumbersome tasks when you are on a tight schedule. With Mac-based Lotus Notes, all that's needed from you is one deletion. The application then takes care of simultaneously scrapping similarly named documents stored in different folders.

* Mac-based Lotus Notes is easily installed and administered. It's extendible, which means it integrates with other applications without relying on the mail server. The reduction of cost is also significant with this application, as it provides users with one centralized place to send, receive and manage faxes and emails-through Notes mail-with seamless integration. A user can create fax messages directly in Notes just like anybody would to create an email. This makes it easy to extend faxing capabilities across the enterprise to streamline document delivery and receipt. Mail-dependent fax servers, however, cannot connect to other vital business applications like enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management systems. This feature is being addressed and will more than likely change on later releases of Mac-based Lotus Notes.

With the enhanced productivity, speed and efficiency of Mac-based Lotus Notes, users can perform more effectively. These are but a few highlights and advantages to using Mac-based Lotus Notes. There are plenty more users will find on their own once they start using the application within their organization.

About the Author

Thom builds articles for mac sync software leader, PocketMac. They specialize in software to sync the Mac to 500 pocket pc's, including their mac-based lotus notes synching software, PocketMac GoBetween for Lotus Notes.

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