Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!know!slug!wex From: wex@dali.pws.bull.com (Der Grouch) Newsgroups: comp.groupware Subject: Re: Discussing Groupware Message-ID: Date: 21 Jan 91 18:41:45 GMT References: <20922@crg5.UUCP> <3996@eastapps.East.Sun.COM> <20966@crg5.UUCP> Sender: news@pws.bull.com Organization: Bull Worldwide Information Systems Inc. Lines: 29 Nntp-Posting-Host: dali.pws.bull.com In-reply-to: szabo@crg5.UUCP's message of 20 Jan 91 04:55:10 GMT To pick one fairly large nit, Nick has his blinders on again... In article <20966@crg5.UUCP> szabo@crg5.UUCP (Nick Szabo) writes: E-mail and netnews are the only forms of groupware that carry emotion, and even those are more useful for technical information. Patently false. Most meeting-support tools carry some kind(s) of emotion-level indicators. Gibbs et al (project NICK at MCC/STP) even went so far as to include explicit iconic emoticons for things like "I'm pleased" and "I'm bored." Other forms of groupware that carry emotion are the computer-supported meetings rooms (at U Arizona plus umpty-ump technical reports from Marilyn Mantei & co), plus brainstorming tools like Colab, plus Root et al's work with video "cruising" and video conference rooms. And as for the relative utility of email/netnews for technical information, all I can say is that Nick is reading different enews than I. Even in good groups such as this one, I find few nuggets of technical information. Much more is contained in media which can carry multiple messages (such as tech reports with text/pictures, demonstration videos with text/animation/ pictures/sound, etc.) -- --Alan Wexelblat phone: (508)294-7485 Bull Worldwide Information Systems internet: wex@pws.bull.com "Honesty pays, but it doesn't seem to pay enough to suit some people."