The method of the present invention provides for collaborating between a first application and a second application, wherein the state of the first application is defined by one or more first variables, and wherein the state of the second application is defined by one or more second variables. The first variables are grouped into one or more first partitions each having a classification representing whether the first application is to send to the second application data that reflects changes to the first variables of the first partition associated with the classification. Upon detecting a change to one of said first variables, one of said first partitions that corresponds to the one of the first variables is identified, and the data reflecting the change to the one of the first variables is communicated from the first application to the second application according to said classification associated with the one of said first partitions.
Advantageously, the method of the present invention provides for flexibility in controlling the level of collaboration between the applications, and may be used to provide for collaboration over low-bandwidth communication links.