• FTPd server software (shareware) and Fetch 3.0:
  Course participants used the Fetch 3.0 client in combination with the FTPd server software to transfer their image files to the ACOTNet server.

• FileMaker Pro 3.0 (Claris) and Tango for FileMaker (EveryWare):
  FileMaker Pro 3.0 was used mostly to create member as well as project databases on the ACOTNet server, which all participants could be accessed through the Web with the Tango application server.

• Web Crossing discussion server (Lundeen & Associates):
  Web Crossing was the main online conferencing system, providing course participants with Web-based discussion forums. These discussion forums enabled participants to post their reflections on weekly assignments, including their images, as if on a bulletin board, and let others read and respond to these messages at any time and engage in an ongoing conversation.

• NetForms Web server add-on (Maxum):
  NetForms allowed participants to create personal home pages on ACOTNet by simply filling out an online form that was accessible through a regular Web browser.

In addition to the ACOTNet server environment, we also used and tested two external servers supporting live chats:

• GlobalChat Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server (Quarterdeck):
  GlobalChat was our chat client-server software. The GlobalChat client, that is, the software interface used for typing and reading electronic conversations consists, like most traditional IRC chat clients, of three windows: the chat screen itself, which looks like a scrolling screenplay when people are talking; the text box where one enters messages; and a box containing a list of the people who are in the same chat room, or channel. Limited multimedia capabilities could be added to GlobalChat (however, this feature was available to channel operators only, not to regular chat participants.) A small banner could be displayed in the client window, with an embedded URL telling the Web browser on the recipient's machine to go to the Web page in the given URL.

• RoundTable conferencing software (ForeFront):
  RoundTable provides two-way real-time desktop conferencing between an Internet-connected computer (client) and a RoundTable conference server. It combines text-based chat with the ability to dynamically share images, documents, URLs, video, and audio in a freeform work space or canvas. Shared documents or images are seen immediately by everyone participating in a RoundTable chat session.
  
  
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