Mac-Based Lotus Notes, a Cut above the Rest

By Thom Yarbrough

You may have heard of Lotus Notes. IBM Software Group’s creation is certainly not new to the multitude of integrated desktop client options. However, where the old Lotus Notes is reminiscent of simple contact management databases, today’s Mac-Based Lotus notes is a tad more contemporary. Aside from enjoying its primary email client function, you can now use the application to produce blogs, RSS aggregators, wikis, and help desk and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. If you want to add some personal touch, you can customize the many applications of Lotus Notes using the Domino Designer. The application is not a unanimous choice by Mac users, but it has a huge base of patrons who find the features of Lotus Notes a cut above the rest.

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.

Other features include helping increase user productivity by instantly locating and connecting with resources via presence awareness, business cards and instant messaging incorporated within the inbox and calendar. It also helps minimize or eliminate computer viruses through vigorous security features. In addition, the design of Mac-based Lotus Notes was created with so many superior features than other applications of its kind. Some are listed below:

* Dialog boxes for formatting text, hyperlinks and other rich-text information can remain open after changes are made to the selected text. This provides great flexibility to select new text and apply other formatting without closing the dialog box, selecting new text and opening a new format dialog box. Almost all other Windows applications require the user to close the dialog box, select new text, and then open a new dialog box for formatting or changes. Properties dialog boxes also automatically recognize the type of text selected and display the appropriate selections, for instance, a hyperlink properties box when appropriate.

* 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.

* Deleting a document is also vastly different. Typically when users delete a document it is deleted from where it is saved. With Mac-based Lotus Notes, when users delete a document it is deleted from every place in which it is saved. This is an awesome feature.

* 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.

Thanks to Mac-based Lotus Notes, you and your business can enjoy enhanced speed, efficiency and productivity. Of course, the advantages mentioned in this article are not all. Once you begin to use the application, you’ll discover a lot more. - 23544

About the Author:

Thom manufactures articles for mac sync software experts, 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.