Aspects categorize the nature of sync-props. For instance, if a document is being edited, the specific document is a Subject Aspect, the content of the document is a Content Aspect, the visibility of the window that displays the document is an Outlet Aspect, and the scroll position of the document is a View Aspect.
This document describes standard aspects used by the reference implementation of Sel-Sync).
For this discussion, outlet refers to any mechanism used for collecting input from and displaying content to a user. outlet control areas refer to additional related outlets used for control purposes, or to display non-primary content. Examples of outlet control areas include a menu bar, toolbar, or pagination controls.
Synchronization of the visibility of outlets (outlet and outlet control areas) across version peers. The format, style, and location of outlets may be optimized differently for each peer device. The objective is to ensure all version peers are viewing the same outlets. Outlet aspect indicates the visibility of the outlet, and not other aspects such as the size, shape, position, view, or content. This aspect also includes this visibility of sidebars.
Synchronizing of the size, position, format, and/or shape of outlets or of outlet contents. Layout aspect also includes the ordering of items.
Synchronization of the content subject displayed within the outlet. This includes the resource, subresource, and page. This does not include the content of the subject. For example, it would include the URL of a document or image to view, but not the content of the item.
Synchronization of the portion of a resource being viewed. For example, this includes boundaries for images, first and last visible line for text, or scale factor. For lists, first and last visible items, filters, grouping, and sort results. This aspect also includes scroll positions.
Synchronization of the content of a resource, if the resource has editable content.
Synchronization of the state of a resource, such as isPlaying and isPaused. This aspect may also include flags, tags, and transient data. This aspect may also include modes.
Synchronization of the selection or focus of items.
Synchronization of the style used to render resource. Examples would include font, font size, and font color. For a resource such as audio, the style aspect may imply effects such as reverberation and compression. For image and video items, the style aspect may imply filters. Style aspect may also be considered as audio or text translated into a language.
Synchronization of resource overlays, such as pointers, clicks, annotations, highlights, pins, and markers. Overlay aspects may appear inline with content, or superimposed over them.
Synchronization of related resource accessories, such as bookmarks, chats, reviews, and comments.
Synchronization of the filtering of content.
Synchronization the order content is displayed.
Synchronization of user defined aspects.
Synchronization of an aspect that does not fall into another type, or has not been categorized.
