Chapter+Thirty

Chapter 30 Groupware: Interactive systems that support cooperative work, computer supported cooperative work

Collaborative Virtual environments(CVEs): online digital places where we can be in touch, play together and work together regardless of geographic location.

Space-time matrix proposed by DeSanctis and Gallupe is the idea that people may work at the same location or from different location, or may be working at the same time or at different times. (think of what different dimensions might be relevant)

Synchronous-supporting technology: Netmeeting(chat), LiveBoard(shared whiteboards), DeskTopConference(application sharing), file transfer(ftp – widely used software application), Electronic Meeting Systems(Group support systems, group decision support systems, meetingware)

Core-dimensions include: • Awareness: individuals working together need to be able to gain some level of shared knowledge about each other’s activirties. Provides a context for your own activity. • Articulation work: cooperating individuals must somehow be able to partition work into units, divide it amongst themselves and after the work is performed, reintegrate it • Appropriation(or tailorability): how an individual or groups adapts a technology to their own particular situation, the technology may be appropriated In a manner completely unintended by the designers.

Workflow Technology: Any technology designed to give order to or record the progress of work activities over time. A workflow system manages the order in which tasks are executed and the flow of information.