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username (be that Y! or Gmail, or even better if it's the University
mail server).

What about the set-up you are looking for, maybe you will give another
try to BuddyPress + Courseware. This summer I added a bunch of features
that should solve a lot of usability issues, like:
* Handbook/Tree organised lectures
* A bookmarking tool
* Breadcrumbs
* Icons, progress indicator, simplified UI
* Quizzes/Tests with auto-grading for assignments component
* Better editing integration: zen-mode and all that jazz
* Improved security for uploads and responses
* A bunch of other stuff...

Hope this helps.