Mail provides the transport mechanism to import mail messages. Users have inboxes, allowing them to screen incoming objects and to apply permissions and metadata. Export of objects is through email notification of the URL through which the object is normally available. The user interface is web-based. It allows searching on the metadata of the entire data store, viewing and editing metadata, and viewing objects themselves.
Users can browse among their folder links, create new folders, and rearrange folder contents.
Only the owner and system administrator can edit object permissions. Security parameters for users and groups are edited on a separate administration page, which only the system administrator can access. Anticipated uses include searchable storage of written and electronic correspondence, on-line art image and journal article repositories, and fax distribution. Objects are identified uniquely based on timestamp and datatype. Metadata elements are based on a modified and expanded Dublin Core.