Computer comunication B CSCW: introduction 1

CSCW With the label CSCW we mean:  Computer-SupportedCooperative/CollaborativeWork  CSCW are so called groupware, i.e. software that support the mutual collaboration of groups. The cooperation can exist in the distance, both in SPACE and TIME Documents and programs can be shared CSCW are very useful for projects, companies, research environment etc.  With CSCW next to the softwares, group processes are examined as well. For example where are the problems in those processes that could be potential bias for the software support How does the software influence the supported processes  All these processes are very important for teaching purposes, companies, or for research

CSCW: differences in interpretation The difference in the interpretation of the second “C” (i.e. Cooperative vs. Collaborative) takes the tones of a dislocation of stress in the explanation  Cooperative: how is the work subdivided in small parts, so that they can be independent from one each other?  Collaborative: how a community perspective can be reached for solution of a problem (and the analysis of problems as well)

GROUPWARE: Definition The definition of groupware is not well defined  For some people groupware is all what enables communication between people who work together, without any distinction  Others separate between: Communicationsofware (like s) Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS) EMS are computer software that help decision-making within an organization  EMS is a synonym of GSS, Group Support System

GROUPWARE and WFMS Groupware are sometimes distinguished from WFMS (workflow-management-systems WFMS support the governing of divided work processes The subdivision between groupware and WFMS is not defined but there are two aspects which play a role for the difference 1. Level of coordination: low in groupware, high in WFMS 2. Level of possibility in interaction: low in WFMS, high in GW

GROUPWARE: EXAMPLES The first commercial success of a groupware was LOTUS NOTES (DOMINO) by IBM  it is a client-server software  Contains: , electronic agenda, support the sharing of documents and discussions  It is the first used browser that used cryptography Another example is GROOVE (Microsoft), a desktop software designed for collaborations Some infos: IntoTheGroove/

LOTUS NOTES

CSCW: parts of groupware Electronic agendas  Enables to look for spots of free time of members  Enables to fix time for meetings and inform the intended participants about it  Show overlapping appointments  Example: Rug-agenda Agenda RUGAgenda RUG

CSCW: parts of groupware 1 Project-management-systems  They help to plan the step of a project tracking down the steps till the end of the project  Enhance the optimisation of needs and resources (time, money, people, space, etc Examples: Microsoft Project

Microsoft office project

CSCW: parts of groupware 2 Information management systems  Collect, administer en cut different types of existing information in one company or agency  Activates the information  Examples: the yellow pages gives a list of collaborators with specific competencesthe yellow pages Version administration system  Allows several authors to work together at the same enterprise  In case of contradictory or unwanted changes, the old versions of the project can just be resored

CSCW: parts of groupware 3 Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS)  Software that supports the policy formation in organisations  Goals: the communication must be multimodal, like in a usual meeting (handouts, presentations. Etc)  The monitor is subdivided in sub-monitors for all participants, like a whiteboard, chat and calls  Example: acrobat adobe pro  Supports for decision making (voting, enquiry)  Purpose: diminish the distance among members in a group: visualisation brings closer than only sound or written words  It is possible to fix progress and results only if the distance is not to large

CSCW: division of groupware according to the functionality Communicative groupware:   Instant messaging  Free call Meeting groupware:  Electronic meeting systems  Application sharing and shared whiteboards Management of cooperation/collaboration  Electronic agendas  Systems of knowledge management

CSCW: other divisions of groupware Time-place matrices  Presence/absence (for example shared whiteboards in contrast to meeting rooms)  Asynchronous/synchronous (for example in version administration systems in contrast to whiteboards of electronic meetings systems) Permissive/restrictive software  The users can do what they like for example with shared whiteboards  They limit the actions that can be taken with the system, like project management systems

CSCW: SURFgroupen 1 SURFgroupen is meant to be a complete cooperation environmenthttps://  Keeps up with exchange of documents, pictures etc  Collaboration via chat e common agendas  Online meeting (with headsets and webcam) Works only with Windows Internet Explorer and Mozzilla Other examples:  Microsoft Sharepoint  Windows messenger  Acrobat Connect Professional

CSCW: SURFgroupen 2 Support for all works: “MySite”. Saving of documents Support for collaborations; “TeamSite”:  Savings of common works on documents; is integrated in Word  Communicate and discuss (Instant Messaging): chat and video  Electronic meetings: makes possible to create a meeting place for the members of groups  It is possible to use it for educational purposes, but used in small groups. Thirds can get access to documents and get access to participate to the common work

CSCW: SURFgroupen 3

CSCW: SURFgroupen 4 The documents on the web are always the most up to date They are safely saved All the documents pertaining to a project can be saved in one place (for example structured maps Other possibilities for supporting the collaboration  Common agendas en list of duties, lists with deadlines  Forums for discussions  Construction and development of surveys

CSCW: the SURF organisation SURF is a part of the SURF organisation (another part is SURFSPOTSURFSPOT It is collaborative union of Dutch universities and other research centres Goal: to put at disposal of research and education innovative ICT-equipments Administer a high-level network within the country among the local networks that are connected to SURFnet and other networks More SURFnet Video Portal Working with videos

For next time Read the literature signaled in Nestor under: Literature online working One group choose two articles to discuss for the next time (tell me which ones so I prepare the discussion). Take as an example NESTOR