Abstract: A computer that is programmed with collaboration software receives a change to be made to an object that can be of any type among several predetermined types such as message, document, contact, discussion and meeting. The object is represented as an aggregate of identifiable parts shareable by users, including at least a content part, a lock part, and an access-control part. Each version of the object is represented by a set of identifiers of these parts. In response to receipt of information identifying the change, the computer automatically identifies a specific part to be changed from among multiple parts of the object. Thereafter, the computer automatically creates a new instance of the specific part which contains the change as per the received information. The computer automatically stores a new version of the object as a new set that includes a new identifier of the new instance of the specific part.

Abstract: A computer that is programmed with collaboration software receives a change to be made to an object that can be of any type among several predetermined types such as message, document, contact, discussion and meeting. The object is represented as an aggregate of identifiable parts shareable by users, including at least a content part, a lock part, and an access-control part. Each version of the object is represented by a set of identifiers of these parts. In response to receipt of information identifying the change, the computer automatically identifies a specific part to be changed from among multiple parts of the object. Thereafter, the computer automatically creates a new instance of the specific part which contains the change as per the received information. The computer automatically stores a new version of the object as a new set that includes a new identifier of the new instance of the specific part.