Page 171 - DLIS408_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY-APPLICATIONSL SCIENCES

Information Technology and Application

Notes whiteboard utilities
groupware
instant messaging systems
audio and video conferencing software
These nascent technologies appeal to businesses because they have potential to save time in
getting tasks done, to reduce travel expenses, and to enhance communications and collaboration
across the organization. However, computer conferencing has its drawbacks. Though some
programs are inexpensive—even free—their performance may be substandard. For example,
video and audio conferencing over the Internet require fast connections. Otherwise, the process
quickly becomes an exercise in frustration as words and images lag or are lost completely. Simpler,
text-based chat conferencing is less prone to traffic hang-ups, but is relatively inflexible for multi-
person and multimedia collaboration and can be tedious to use for extended periods. In addition,
some collaboration packages only work well for a moderate-sized group, say 30 simultaneous
users, and thus are impractical for larger companies that need to assemble many people at once,
such as for computer-based training sessions. A final limitation is the lack of standardization,
especially between high-end programs, which means that all participants must have the exact
same software. As a result, conferencing with individuals outside the company may prove
troublesome; as there are no guarantees they are using a compatible program.

Nonetheless, whatever form it takes, computer conferencing is an important and still-emergent
business technology. Particularly in the so-called groupware programs—integrated electronic
mail, document storage, and collaboration applications—software developers have concentrated
on bringing to market a polished, easy-to-use, and effective collaboration environment that has
wide appeal for business functions.

Notes Tens of millions of corporate users already have access to at least some form of
groupware through popular installations like Lotus Development Corp.’s Domino/
Notes programs, Microsoft Corp.’s Exchange and NetMeeting, and Novell Inc.’s
GroupWise.
In addition to these applications’ off-the-shelf functions, businesses are usually able to customize
the interfaces and tools to meet their needs; however, most use of these programs to date has been
for e-mail and for static document sharing in bulletin-board fashion. The key for software vendors
and for their business clients will be to migrate this large user base toward real-time interactions
via computer conferencing tools.

14.6.1 Early Conferencing Systems
One of the first widely publicized conferencing systems, EMISARI, served as the foundation for the
Emergency Management Information System. At the same time in the early 1970s, researchers at
the University of Michigan developed the text-based Confer system, which allowed users to enter
controlled-access discussion areas, and read and post information related to the topic. Other early
systems frequently relied on the manipulations of the Unix operating system to allow copying of
files from one computer to another, or UUCP (Unix to Unix Copying Program). In 1979, a computer-
based bulletin board software released into the public domain by Ward Christensen set the stage
for further developments in computer conferencing. By 1980, a program called Usenet arrived to
maintain a set of publicly accessible message postings on geographically dispersed computers.
Usenet provided the foundation for so-called Internet newsgroups, which didn’t necessarily contain
news, but became popular sites for exchanging opinions, questions and answers, and other informal
communications. Advances in speed and cost of networked microcomputers and the advent of the
Internet combined to foster the growth and popularity of computer conferencing.

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