Page 115 - DCAP307_PLANNING_AND_MANAGING_IT_INFRASTRUCTURE

Unit 6: Collaboration Tools

interest and simultaneously view the annotations contributed by the user community. By viewing Notes
the aggregated collections of favourite spots, users participate in richer interactions related to
place, spawning conversations around a common interest in locations.

Did u know? While location-based applications are still in their infancy, considerable effort
is going into identifying useful applications that capture how users would like to interact
with and share their location information.

Task Make distinction between Google Docs and Google Earth.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:

4. ......................................... sometimes referred to as chat or text chat, is a versatile, accessible,
and almost universally available tool that supports collaboration in multiple ways.
5. ......................................... sites allow individuals to selectively share pictures, which can
become social objects around which users can congregate.
6. ......................................... is one of several online tools that allow individuals to work together
on a shared document.
7. Geographic and mapping tools use the power of location to create spatial connections
between users, adding a layer of ......................................... for users to share and contribute
to.
8. ......................................... is a client application installed on local PCs and uses browser
plug-ins and an Internet connection to provide rich, visual, geographic data.
9. ......................................... refers to the ability to ask a question of experts, friends, or
acquaintances at any time, regardless of location, provides new levels for sharing and
communication.

6.3 Collaboration Tool Features

With these technologies in mind, we might add new features to our list, including features that
may permit or promote new and different types of collaboration. Their inclusion in emerging
tools gives each its own feel and culture and may promote entirely new types of interaction.
Multiple Collaborators: How many collaborators can contribute with a particular tool?
What is the limit on the number of collaborators for an effective interaction?

Example: A phone call is usually a dyad, while a conference call can include several
participants. Yet, there is a limit on how many people can actively participate in a conference
call.
Synchronous versus Asynchronous Collaboration: Does the tool support instant, real-
time collaboration, or is the interaction more of an iterative process based on taking
turns? Twitter, IM, and chat are synchronous; e-mail is iterative. However, while Twitter,
IM, and chat transcripts can be saved for asynchronous viewing later; there is always a
time delay between sending an e-mail and getting a response.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 109