Newsgroups: comp.groupware
Subject: Re: Collaboration
From: dmittleman@misvax.mis.arizona.edu (Daniel Mittleman)
Date: 9 Nov 1992 10:21 MST  
Distribution: world,local
Organization: University of Arizona MIS Department
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

In article <92313.173950NG7165A@auvm.american.edu>, NG7165A@auvm.american.edu (Narendra Gangadhar) writes...
>I am doing some work in the area of collaboration,CSCW, and groupware. I am
>interested in the benefits, and problems within the group and within the organi
>zation. If anyone knows wher I can find such information, I would greatly appre
>ciate it. I am also interested in finding out where I can locate conference pro
>ceedings dealin with this area.
> 
>Thanks,
>N.G.

    {I don't mean to single out N.G., my comments are meant to be taken in
    the general case}

    I think it is wonderful that the students at American University are
    being shown how to use usenet and are being encouraged to participate
    in discussions here - I really do - but I am concerned that so many of
    the students seem to be asking for reference information (I presume for
    the purpose of writing term papers) without showing any evidence that
    they are undertaking simple steps to find it themselves.

    Questions: 
    [1] is the course instructor showing you the basic reference
    sources for CSCW?  If not, if someone from the class asks the
    readership of this conference to each list the three most impoartant
    CSCW or GDSS journals, you will get a very interesting sampling of
    where you might look.
    [2] what is the readings list for your course?
    [3] does the course instructor read this group?

    My feeling is: if a student asks a detailed question in my area of
    experience or interest, I will try to provide some information. 
    However, if a student asks open ended questions about CSCW
    literature in general without showing any evidence that he/she is
    trying to find information on their own, then I do not feel obliged to
    render any assistance.

    Note: this issue is emerging because we are using a brand new form of
    communication and the social protocols are not yet resolved.  I guess
    what I am doing here is suggesting some social protocols.  I welcome
    comment and criticism.

    Another note:  Dr. Stodolsky, might we add a list of important CSCW and
    GDSS journals, proceedings, and books to your FAQ posting?

    -----

    Now that I have gotten that off my chest...  N.G., you might look at
    the following journals: 

    Management Information Systems Quarterly (Dec 88 is a must read)
    Communications of the ACM
    Journal of Management Information Systems
    Information Systems Review
    Group Decision and Negotiation

    You might also look at the Proceedings from CSCW.  There was a
    conference in 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1992.  Also check ICIS
    (International Conference on Information Systems) and HICSS (Hawaii
    International Conference on Systems Science) proceedings.

    {this is by no means a complete list - it is just off the top of my
    head}

===========================================================================
daniel david mittleman     -     danny@arizona.edu     -     (602) 621-2932