Groupware as a concept is cool.  Groupware as a tool sucks.  Why?  Because every single groupware I have come across is a maze of UI.  Take a look at this screenshot of Groove.  Microsoft Word looks simpler than Groove.  Its looks like something you would get if you glued together all the widgets in your house.  If an average man can't figure out how to set the clock on a VCR, he is going to glaze over when faced with something like Groove.

Its better to lose functionalities over ease of use.  This is first of a series of notes to come on how to design a usable groupware.  My first approach will take a web page and turn it into a shared workspace for a group.  Open your browser, click on a Favorites link, and then drag in files or type in stuff for others.  Thats what I am willing to use.  No more information appliance nor fingertip crap.