Abstract
A computer mediated communication system for dispersed human groups was first designed and implemented in 1970, at the Office of Emergency Preparedness at the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Since that time, a variety of computerized conferencing and related systems have been designed and implemented, and we have begun to understand the opportunities, limitations, and issues which are raised when one uses the computer to facilitate and structure complex human communication processes. In this paper, we will review the nature of computerized conferencing systems, past, present and future, and then focus on a few key policy, research and evaluation issues which are raised by this new form of telecommunication. In treating these issues, we will give our own, often controversial views. Because of space limitations, we will not attempt to present opposing points of view.
Many of the points made in this paper grow out of the early months of a computerized conference devoted to a research review of computerized conferencing, sponsored by the Division of Computer Research of the U.S. National Science Foundation. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the following workshop organizers: Raymond Panko (Stanford Research Institute), Jacques Vallee (Institute for the Future), Dick Wilcox (U.S. government), and John McKendree (U. S. government). Among the participants who contributed ideas and comments reflected in this paper are Harold Bamford, David Penniman, Elaine Kerr, Ronald Uhlig, Ronald Wigington, Robin Crickman, Haig Kafafian, Barry Wellman, Robert Bezilla, Robert Johansen, Andy Hardy, and Julian Scher.
Development of the EIES System was supported by grants from the Division of Science Information Services, National Science Foundation.
The opinions stated in this paper are the personal views of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Science Foundation or of other participants in the projects described.
Prof. Hiltz’s work on this paper was made possible by a faculty fellowship from the National Science Foundation.
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© 1978 Plenum Press, New York
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Turoff, M., Hiltz, S.R. (1978). Computerized Conferencing: A Review and Statement of Issues. In: Elton, M.C.J., Lucas, W.A., Conrath, D.W. (eds) Evaluating New Telecommunications Services. Nato Conference Series, vol 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0175-3_32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0175-3_32
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