We envision a peer-to-peer (p2p) scheduling system that allows a group of people on a network to plan events or offer suggestions to one another. The system runs in the background of a user's computer and has the speed and easy-use of a common p2p Messaging (P2PM) program .

Unlike an P2PM application, however, QuickNotes is used to schedule a team's time. QuickNotes will allow a user to create character-formatted notes on the desktop that may contain scheduling information, thoughts to remember for later, or data (such as files, webpages, or images) important for a current project. The user then has the ability to send these notes over the network to other team members. QuickNotes remain on the desktop of the user's computer until a note's deadline is reached or it is manually removed.

Two programs similar to QuickNotes are Microsoft Outlook's Notes® and 3M's Post-it Notes®. Outlook's Notes use a large portion of the Windows taskbar, may not boot automatically at startup, have very limited font and background settings, and do not have p2p features. 3M's program has more options, but even less color features than Outlook, also uses up taskbar space, does not contain titles for notes, and has note-sharing features only available on a shareware version. One main focus for QuickNotes will be a larger variety display features not offered in Outlook or Post-it Notes. Since the notes are displayed on the desktop the client should have more control over their appearance. In addition, the user will have options to minimize the notes, boot the program automatically at startup, reduce taskbar use, and title each note.

Through developing QuickNotes, We hope to make scheduling easier for a group seeking one goal. This is why QuickNotes, when released, will be free of charge. Post-it Notes'® best features are only available available through its shareware versions and Outlook® is purchased with the expensive Microsoft Office® software package.

The non-user stakeholders in the system include:

• Josh Reed, Pete Stoltenow, and Ted Skjei - students in Com Sci 362 and the developers of QuickNotes.
• Gary Leavens and the TAs of Com S 362, who help advise the analysis and design.
• Students in Com S 362, who also help with analysis and design feedback.

The users of QuickNotes are a group that would like an easy and quick p2p scheduling program. The group wants to schedule and remember tasks needed to be completed to meet a goal. The team need not be advanced users, and likely use the computer for job-related tasks more than anything else. Each team member's computer is connected to the same network.

• Josh Reed, Pete Stoltenow, and Ted Skjei are taking other classes at Iowa State University. They want to have the time to get enough work done on the system with the time constraints from other classes. Eventually, they would like a job in the computer-related field.
• The application will have to be short on using the system's available processes because it will likely run the entire time the client's computer is on. The numerous display features will be difficult to design with this requirement in mind.

The users need a scheduling application that:

• Allows one to send important data (scheduling information, files, web links, or images) to others also seeking to complete a shared objective.
• Is easy to use and sends data to others quickly, similar to a p2p Messaging program .
• Reminds oneself, as well as other team members, of important events required for an objective's completion.
• Allows a client to modify general display features (font and background settings).
• Is free.

By using QuickNotes, a group of users may more easily schedule their time to complete an objective. QuickNotes will allow groups to have more control over their busy schedules by providing an easier way of reminding each other (or oneself) of an important meeting or suggestion. With the click of a mouse or a simple keyboard command, the client may create a QuickNote ® on the desktop and type anything inside of it to use as a reminder for later. The user may choose to send the note to other users on the same network and may also receive notes from others. The note remains on the desktop until a user manually removes it later, or one sets a deadline on the note so it may be removed automatically at a scheduled time. Since the notes will be displayed on the desktop, the user should have control of their appearance; therefore, QuickNotes allows a user to change the font and background settings easily. Other display features include transparency settings, idle-minimization options, and more.

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The system provides:

• The ability to send/receive notes to/from others on the same network.
• An on-desktop display, that does not interfere with the user's other tasks.
• In-note file and web hyperlinks.
• Scheduled alarms to remind the user of an important event.
• Numerous display properties so the notes do not make a desktop look unattractive and disorganized.
• Note titles so a user may appropriately identify and organize notes.
• Automatic removal through the Deadline ® feature. The user chooses the time a QuickNote may be automatically removed from the desktop.

For details on other requirments and contraints, look at the Use Cases or Supplementary Specification documents.