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IBM puts Notes on memory key

USB key meant to give workers mobility. It also brings RSS feeds to Notes client and Domino server.

Martin LaMonica Former Staff writer, CNET News
Martin LaMonica is a senior writer covering green tech and cutting-edge technologies. He joined CNET in 2002 to cover enterprise IT and Web development and was previously executive editor of IT publication InfoWorld.
Martin LaMonica
IBM released on Wednesday a version of its Notes collaboration software that can be stored on a memory key or iPod.

The goal of the memory key feature is to give employees more mobility, allowing them to use USB ports on different computers to log in and check e-mail, according to IBM.

In addition, Notes version 7.0.2 adds support for really simple syndication (RSS) protocol, which will allow people to receive notification of feeds, such as blogs, in Notes.

Support for RSS in the Domino server, which delivers information to Notes clients, will allow a user to broadcast regular updates, such as podcasts or blogs, from a Notes application, according to IBM.

IBM's general manager for Lotus, Michael Rhodin, said the mobile Notes client and RSS feed support are part of the company's plan to take advantage of popular Web collaboration tools.

"Technologies such as blogs, RSS feeds and portable storage devices are changing the way businesses collaborate," Rhodin said in a statement.

The upcoming versions of Microsoft's Outlook and server software, such as SharePoint and Exchange, will add greater support for RSS feeds as well.

The new edition of Notes also has prebuilt integration with SAP applications and supports the iCalendar Web calendar format.

A Macintosh version of Lotus Notes 7.0.2 is planned for the end of the year.