Computer
comunication B
CSCW: introduction 1
CSCW
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With the label CSCW we mean:
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Computer-SupportedCooperative/CollaborativeWork
CSCW are so called groupware, i.e. software that support the
mutual collaboration of groups.
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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.
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 All
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
these processes are very important for teaching
purposes, companies, or for research
CSCW: differences in interpretation
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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
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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:
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Communicationsofware (like e-mails)
Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS)
EMS are computer software that help decision-making within
an organization
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EMS is a synonym of GSS, Group Support System
GROUPWARE and WFMS
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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.
2.
Level of coordination: low in groupware, high in WFMS
Level of possibility in interaction: low in WFMS, high in
GW
GROUPWARE: EXAMPLES
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The first commercial success of a groupware was LOTUS
NOTES (DOMINO) by IBM
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it is a client-server software
Contains: e-mail, 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:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2006/10/
IntoTheGroove/
LOTUS NOTES
CSCW: parts of groupware
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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 RUG
CSCW: parts of groupware 1
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Project-management-systems
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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
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Examples: Microsoft Project
Microsoft office project
CSCW: parts of groupware 2
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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 competences
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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
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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
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatconnectpro/demo/
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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
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Communicative groupware:
 E-mail
 Instant messaging
 Free call
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Meeting groupware:
 Electronic meeting systems
 Application sharing and shared
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whiteboards
Management of cooperation/collaboration
 Electronic agendas
 Systems of knowledge
management
CSCW: other divisions of
groupware
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Time-place matrices
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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)
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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
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SURFgroupen https://www.surfgroepen.nl is
meant to be a complete cooperation
environment
 Keeps up with exchange of documents, pictures
 Collaboration via chat e common agendas
 Online
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etc
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
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Support for all works: “MySite”. Saving of documents
Support for collaborations; “TeamSite”:
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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
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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
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Common agendas en list of duties, lists with deadlines
Forums for discussions
Construction and development of surveys
CSCW: the SURF organisation
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SURF is a part of the SURF organisation
(another part is SURFSPOT
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
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Working with videos
For next time
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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