For example, a meeting scheduler might have a reminder function that makes it valuable as a calendar regardless of whatever else it does. The radical development of information technology causes some antisocial behaviour. In order to avoid such behaviour it is necessary to allow the group to regulate itself. The alternative, enforcing particular policies, often causes more problems than it solves. Some constraints on what people can do may be necessary.
Security of information is often a problem.
People generally do not want other people to be able to monitor their personal work. Users need to be able to trust the system, to be sure messages are going to the intended recipients and not to anyone else. Sometimes one might want anonymous communication for brain storming and exchange of opinion. Many of the guidelines for ensuring usability in single user systems apply also to groupware. Each of the four topics below has been suggested as a criterion in that context.