Characteristics of CSCW Systems

1
CSCW Systems and Applications

• Characteristics of CSCW Systems
• Essay Topic
• Discussion of CSCW in practice

2
Characteristics of CSCW Systems
CSCW systems provide support for
Communication between group members Sharing
of information Co-ordination and control of
shared work objects Sharing of workspace
Organisation and common understanding of the
work process Decision making
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Communication Between Group MembersFace-to-Face
Communication
4
Communication Between Group MembersComputer
Mediated Communication
(also audio channels in some applications)
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Communication between Group Members
Examples Advanced electronic mail systems
Real time desktop video conferencing Large
video wall screen systems
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Sharing of information

• Prevent duplication of effort
• Ensure use of same information
• E.g. Multi-user Databases, Web pages, news
  groups, Multi-user hypertext (wikis),

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Co-ordination and Controlof Shared Objects
Changes should be available immediately to
all group members Group needs support for
version control Examples - Shared editors
for synchronous group meetings - Co-authoring
systems for asynchronous working - Shared
diaries
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Sharing of Workspace

• Group members need to share workspace on which to
  develop their ideas
• Similar to white board or flip chart or filing
  cabinet
• Examples WYSIWIS or public windows, Electronic
  whiteboards, Electronic Workspace such as BSCW

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Organisation and Common Understanding of the
Work Process

• Group members need support
• Role assignment
• Objectives and deadlines
• Keeping informed
• Examples Co-authoring tools, Agenda management
  tools

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Decision Making
Group need support to reach decisions
objectives, roles, method Examples -
Tools to display available facts and options -
Argumentation tools - Naming tools to define
terminology - Idea generation
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Essay Topic What is CSCW?

• Background Readings on web - 2 papers
• DTI/CSCW CD
• no more than 4 sides
• due at the end of Week 12 - 31 Jan

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CSCW in practiceClass Discussion

• What specific co-operative work can you identify
  that you take part in?
• How does or might CSCW help?
• Is generic GroupWare sufficient?
• Is specific Groupware for the groups activities
  required?
• Is there a conflict between Computer Support and
  Co-operative Working?