'What is groupware' depends on 'wha
sta...@cdp.uucp
Tosihiko,
Thank you for your clear and consise comments on the nature of
group ware. I tire of this philosophical and academic verbage. I
am interested in practical applications. How can we use a network
system to build consensus? And how can a Board of Directors
optimize communications? Simple things....
The things that get lost in a very linear communication system
concern me the most. This response will be covered by the next,
and the next will cover it. Unless a thoughtful and time
available person will download and compile the ideas and comments
and try to correlate a response. We write and never know if
anyone reads or agrees. Often we here if there is some
disagreement... curious but predictable. Agreements get lost.
Thank you and everyone else for putting these ideas forward. I
hope that we can find some way of building upon these ideas to
improve the way we interact.
My interest lie in conflict resolution. I direct a network
(ConflictNet) on IGC. We hope to improve networking, information
sharing, and dialogue among Mediators, Arbitrators, Conciliators,
and nayone interested in the way we deal with conflict.
I am here and involved. Please excuse my typo's, this is a
spontaneous and online composition.
Sincerely, John Helie staffcn
Hugh LaMaster
>Tosihiko,
>Thank you for your clear and consise comments on the nature of
>group ware.
I agree. Of course, it would have been easy to follow bulletin-board
practice and only post when a disagreement arises. Debate and differing
opinions seems to be the strong point of bboards; this is only a problem
because we don't have, yet, a commonly available system of electronic
committee meetings (oh boy - just when you thought you could get *away*
from them by reading USENET for awhile...)
>am interested in practical applications. How can we use a network
>system to build consensus? And how can a Board of Directors
I too find this the most needed practical application. How could a system
be built which would be the consensus-building counterpart to the USENET
bulletin board?
>and the next will cover it. Unless a thoughtful and time
>available person will download and compile the ideas and comments
>and try to correlate a response.
True. I feel that comp.arch *almost* reached a consensus on simple branch
strategies about 1 1/2 years ago. How could the results of that "committee
work" be preserved without a lot of post-session editing work?
>My interest lie in conflict resolution. I direct a network
>(ConflictNet) on IGC.
Perhaps you could describe how ConflictNet works, and what functionality
exists so far.
Hugh LaMaster, m/s 233-9, UUCP ames!lamaster
NASA Ames Research Center ARPA lama...@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Phone: (415)694-6117
sta...@cdp.uucp
Thank you for your inquiry about ConflictNet. My partner
and I created this network to serve the communication and
networking needs of organizations and individuals working in
the area of conflict resolution. Mediators, conciliators,
arbitrators, ombudspersons, consensus builders, share
information, engage in dialogue, and collaboratively work
through the network.
We are new and growing, as is the field of conflict
resolution. Calendar of events, newsletter article wire
service, and information regarding current legislation that
effects the field are just the beginning of our vision.
The Academy of Family Mediators board of directors, a
nationally dispersed group uses ConflictNet to facilitate
their policy making. Northern California Council for
Mediation is also active as a board and an organization
online. Community/Neighborhood organizations are also
beginning to become active. We have also attracted some
academic institutions in the hopes of creating a bridge
between the theory builders and the practitioners.
It is our dream that someday we will be able to provide an
electronic vehicle for the processes that our users
practice. Online mediation, consensus building, meeting
facilitation, arbitration; and that is why I have tuned in
to this conference. I have a great deal to learn about
this medium. I am not familiar with many of the networking
systems or the processes and protocols used by them. My
level of involvement has brought me only as far as being
aware of some of the obvious shortcomings of electronic
networking.
I am very interested in what works, not just programs, but
the essential elements of those programs.
I am a mediator and organizer, most of my work has been in
community based mediation. I specialize in construction and
land use issues. The City of Berkeley uses mediation in the
building permit/public hearing process and I volunteer my
services to that process.
ConflictNet is a non-profit project of the Tides Foundation.
We are part of the Institute of Global Communication which
also carries PeaceNet and EcoNet. If you would like more
information drop me a note.
Sincerely,
John Helie