The goals Groove Networks set for Groove 3.0 were ambitious: start with Version 2.5’s secure, enterprise-class peer-to-peer collaboration client; surround it with a fresh user interface against which others will be measured; and to top it off, allow business users to build applications without programming. But after my initial tests of the beta, it looks like Groove’s developers have accomplished all this and more.Performance was a sore point with Version 2.5, but no longer. In my informal tests, launching the application, creating workspaces, and navigation were all three times to 10 times faster in the 3.0 beta.The new, IM-like Launchpad interface allowed me to track contacts, organize and share workspaces, and configure options with a single click. Other areas have also been polished, rounding out a terrific user experience. For example, custom alerts informed me when there were changes to individual files and folders. And Groove’s chat now features better formatting and more flexible send options (although interoperability with other IM services is still lacking). The file-sharing workspaces were especially impressive. Groove added an option to Windows Explorer that allowed me to securely share files with anyone who was part of the workspace — even those outside the firewall. And you have complete control of shared file transfers. For example, to minimize network traffic, I specified that files larger than 1MB would not automatically download.The Forms tool is another big change. It allows users to create interfaces to view, update, and export enterprise data, drawing from such sources as SQL databases and Web services. No code is required, but programmers can add more functions using JavaScript, VBScript, or macros. With these and other improvements, Groove appears poised to redefine virtual teamwork yet again. Technology Industry