An excellent addition to the R5 calendaring/scheduling feature list is the group calendar functionality. End users may create their own groups, then simultaneously view all of the calendars for the people in that group. This functionality is only available in R4.6 through third party products or through a customized mail template.

The calendaring/scheduling interface has been re-worked, giving it much more flow. As an example, take a look at the new calendar interface as shown in Figure C

FIGURE C


The new R5 calendar is far more usable than that of R4. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Now compare it to the R4.6 calendar interface, shown in Figure D. As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words. If anyone out there actually likes the 4.6 interface shown below better than the R5 version, I'd really like to hear from you concerning why at jon@msphub.com.

FIGURE D


The R4.6 calendar interface was usable, but R5 is way better. Roll over picture for a larger image.

R4.6's clunky action buttons have been replaced by date selection buttons that are part of the calendar interface. By comparison, R4.6's action buttons look as if they were added as an afterthought. The difference is in the usage by end users. When we have introduced new users to the R4 client, we had a constant need to point out the action buttons. From early introductions to the 164.1 client, we have already noticed that users quickly recognize the new buttons.

The Domino server
As if an entirely new client weren't enough, Lotus has taken care of enormous holes in the infrastructure side of the Domino/Notes equation. Domino servers will see performance increases because of the direct integration of the SMTP MTA task into the core of the server environment.

The architecture of R4 requires that mail be converted from native Notes to SMTP before being sent to the Internet. This has been re-designed in R5 so that mail is stored in MIME and SMTP formats, and therefore does not require conversion before being sent. This results in greater email fidelity and increased performance because the R5 Domino server does away with the conversion process.

A common selling point against Notes is its administrative burden. While the requirement for managing Notes IDs has not been relieved, a new administrative client is available that will greatly lessen the burden. From a single interface, you'll be able to accomplish all administrative tasks. The interface provides a single point of monitoring Domino servers as well.

A common task performed by administrators is the need to create replica stubs to multiple Domino servers when deploying an application. The new administrative client allows administrators the ability to drag and drop databases between servers.

A new ID recovery process has been added to R5, replacing the escrow agent in the R4 environment. The recovery process will provide greater means for administrators to quickly recover users' lost or corrupted ID files.

LDAP support is greatly enhanced now that Domino R5 supports LDAP v3. Not only has LDAP integration increased, users will also be able to use external LDAP directories to authenticate into the Domino environment. Registration of users is now much more flexible, allowing you a wide range of choices on setting the user's addressing scheme at registration time, choice of email template, default mail database Access Control List, and set mail database quota.