EASE-a software integration tool and user interface

The Enhanced Aizu Standard Environment (EASE) is designed to provide a new user with a powerful and comfortable initial working environment. Design features include: a sample screen layout, interactive customization, support for organizing data in the user´s home directory, and centralization of definitions not in control of the user; thus making changes in the system configuration-transparent. EASE enables system administrators to install new tools and make configuration changes without requiring actions from the user. This enables users to take quick advantage of new features of the system. By providing an organization scheme for the user´s home directory, installation procedures for private software can be standardized. New applications made available by the user community can be rapidly integrated into the shared portion of the environment, thus greatly simplifying assistance and maintenance, and encouraging rapid communication of software development achievements. This paper presents some of the design principles and implementation aspects, and describes reactions from and acceptance by the user community