Collaborative computing: the next millennium

Abstract

Nunamaker has spent nearly two decades working in the field of collaboration technology. His articles on group support systems and collaborative computing have appeared in many publications, including Computer, the Journal of Management Information Systems, and the Communications of the ACM. In this Computer interview, Nunamaker addresses the advent of ubiquitous connectivity that signals a drastic change in the nature of globalized business environments. He sees the side-effects of race, gender, and ethnicity disappearing as anonymity dissolves any predispositions, letting people express themselves without the natural inhibiting influences commonly associated with face-to-face meetings. Nunamaker predicts a 90 percent increase in productivity due to this revolution. He also feels that collaborative computing promises to become one the the next century's core applications.