Abstract of Accepted Papers
     
    Paper 1 
    Integrating a user interface design method
    in a CSCW framework
    Frédéric Hoogstoel * Jean-Claude Tarby **
    TRIGONE Laboratory
    * EUDIL, ** CUEEP Institute
    University Lille 1
    59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex
    FRANCE
    {Frederic.Hoogstoel, Jean-Claude.Tarby}@univ-lille1.fr
    Abstract
    To support CSCW organisations we designed and implemented Co-Learn which is a tailorable environment centred on the roles in the organisations, in the cooperative environments and in the activities. This environment integrates a design framework and an object-oriented framework to design tailorable collaboration aware applications which extend this environment. To enhance the user interface design and management in Co-Learn, we extend the design framework with an adaptation of an existing single-user interface design method named Diane+. This paper presents this method and show how it improves the design of CSCW applications. 

    Keywords: CSCW design, user interface design, task, activity, role 

    Paper 2 

    PENCACOLAS “PEN Computer Aided Composing cOLlAborative System” Groupware for Learning 
    O.M. González, M.J. Verdú, Y.A. Dimitriadis, C.A. Osuna, C.A. Iglesias, J. López 
    1. O. M. González , Department of Business Administration and Organization, School of Business Administration, Paseo Prado de la Magdalena s/n, 47005 Valladolid, Spain, Tel: +34-83- 423579, Fax: +34-83-.423056, email: oscgon@tel.uva.es 
    2.  M. J. Verdú, Department of Signal Theory, Communications and Telematics Engineering, School of Telecommunications Engineering, C/ Real de Burgos S/N, 47011 Valladolid, Spain, Tel: +34-83-423260, Fax: +34-83-423261, email: marver@tel.uva.es 
    3.  Y. A. Dimitriadis, Department of Signal Theory, Communications and Telematics Engineering, School of Telecommunications Engineering, C/ Real de Burgos S/N, 47011 Valladolid, Spain, Tel: +34-83-423260, Fax: +34-83-423261, email: yannis@tel.uva.es 
    4.  C. A. Osuna, Department of Signal Theory, Communications and Telematics Engineering, School of Telecommunications Engineering, C/ Real de Burgos S/N, 47011 Valladolid, Spain, Tel: +34-83-423260, Fax: +34-83-423261, email: cosuna@tel.uva.es 
    5.  C. A. Iglesias, Department of Signal Theory, Communications and Telematics Engineering, School of Telecommunications Engineering, C/ Real de Burgos S/N, 47011 Valladolid, Spain, Tel: +34-83-423260, Fax: +34-83-423261, email: cif@tel.uva.es 
    6.  J. López, Department of Systems Engineering and Automatic Control, School of Industrial Engineering, Paseo del Cauce S/N, 47011 Valladolid, Spain, Tel: +34-83-423358, Fax: +34- 83-423310, E-mail: coronado@dali.eis.uva.es
    Abstract 
    This paper presents a new CSCW system that contributes in document composition learning in a collaborative form. The design and main performance characteristics of the proposed system was based on an extensive analysis of the writing process and the documents produced during two courses of "Techniques of writing" at the Faculty of Education in the University of Valladolid (Spain). PENCACOLAS (PEN Computer Aided Composing cOLlAborative System) supports all the phases that appear in composition, i. e. brainstroming, planning, composition and revision. It emphasizes the recursive nature of writing and provides a comfortable and natural interface, especially for annotations, gestures and diagrams using the electronic paper paradigm. The design of a flexible protocol, and efficient concurrency control, storage and recall strategies allows intelligent analysis of the global recursive writing process, and its integration in a wireless network. Extensive experimental work validated several of the expected advantages of the proposed system. 

    Paper 3 

    Design Issues of A Cooperative Authoring Application 
    Dominique Decouchant (1) , Manuel Romero Salcedo (2) and Maria Serrano (2) 
    (1) CNRS (2) INRIA Rhône-Alpes 
    655 avenue de l'Europe, 38330 Montbonnot Saint-Martin, France. 
    {Dominique.Decouchant, Manuel.Romero, Maria.Serrano}@imag.fr 
    Abstract 
    This paper presents design issues of Alliance, a groupware application which allows people at different locations to write together shared distributed documents. Alliance is an application that takes in charge all the problems regarding document consistency and shared information management. 
    The cooperative authoring approach implemented in Alliance is very useful because of the possibility of taking advantage of the document structure, which offers suitable document sharing and fragmentation. Moreover, this approach is appropriate for the cooperative production of large documentation on Intranet as well as on a large scale network, such as Internet. 

    From the Alliance design issues it can be distinguished three different document memory levels: the distributed storage, group awareness and editing levels. 

    Keywords: structured authoring, cooperative authoring, group awareness, disconnected cooperative work, distributed document storage 
     

    Paper 4

    Transforming Formal and Informal Work Processes 
    Pedro Antunes, Nuno Guimaraes 
    IST/INESC - Elect. Engin. and Comp. Dep., 
    Technical University of Lisboa. 
    Av. Rovisco Pais 
    1000 Lisboa, Portugal 
    Abstract 
    This paper emerges from the identification of problems in the computational integration of formal and informal work processes in organizations. These processes are either detached, or else formal processes prevail. We present an approach for integrating and, furthermore, support transformations between formal and informal processes. Transformations are possible if both the nature of the group and nature of associated data are changed. The implementation of this approach to workflow and group decision support systems allows users to dynamicly select which work mode provides most benefits for them. 

    Keywords: Organizational processes; workflow; group decision support systems; work modes 

    Paper 5 

    Collaborative Perspectives in GIS Environments 
    Jano M. de Souza (1) , Marco Vaz (1,2) , Sergio Medeiros (1) 
    (1) COPPE - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro 
    (2) CNEN - Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission 
    jano@cos.ufrj.br, mvaz@cos.ufrj.br palma@cos.ufrj.br 
    Abstract 
    Geographic Information Management Technology - using computers to map, draw, store and manipulate spatial and non-spatial data - evolved independently in many places of the world and with many variations. This Technology is maturing and gaining broad acceptance, but it still lacks common structure and definition. The technology most used, GIS - Geographic Information System - is as important as powerful in the solution of systems to process maps and spatial data. The lack of uniformity in applications leads to difficulties in operation and increases the necessity of communication among its users. As a matter of fact, the design of such systems must incorporate not only the solutions for the geographic problems, but also the coordination of such work. 
    The HIP2 project aims at, through an open workbench, to provide several tools to allow users from a broad spectrum of geoprocessing areas, to manipulate data in accordance to their needs and skills. The project should address most of the problems involving heterogeneity, interoperability and distributed databases with a focus on GIS systems. It should also bring answers to the difficulties of coordination and communication among groups of coworkers, what is been achieved by the use of CooMan, a Global Collaborative Project Management System. This system using Speech Acts theory intends to help partners distributed in different locations to communicate and manage their work effectively. 
    This paper intends, through the incorporation of the basic concepts of this former paradigm, to show how a Collaborative System can be improved to cope with the requirements of GIS Technology, so it can help partners to collaborate effectively. The distinguishing feature proposed in the context of the HIP2 project as the evolution of the CooMan System is a dynamic workflow approach to coordinate a GIS environment. 

    Paper 6 

    On the development of a SISCO implementation using Java 
    Jaime Espinosa, José A. Pino and Patricia Pollard 
    Depto. de Ciencias de la Computación 
    Universidad de Chile 
    Abstract 
    A SISCO prototype implementation currently running is described. This implementation does not correspond exactly to the SISCO broad specifications, since it has extensions and shortcomings. This implementation is intended for people with high mobility and having meetings with people at different levels within a distributed organization. The resulting prototype relies on the Internet for communicating users and satisfies our design requeriments of being and remaining small in size. 

    Keywords: Asynchronous CSCW, meeting preparation systems, SISCO, USISCO 

    Paper 7 

    Object Distribution Networks for world-wide document circulation 
    María Eva M. Lijding, Claudio E. Righetti 
    Computer Science Department 
    Universidad de Buenos Aires 
    {mlijding, claudio}@dc.uba.ar 
    Leandro Navarro Moldes 
    Computer Architecture Department 
    Universidad Politècnica de Catalunya 
    leandro@ac.upc.es 
    Abstract 
    This paper presents an Object Distribution System (ODS), a distributed system inspired by the ultra-large scale distribution models used in everyday life (e.g. food or newspapers distribution chains). Beyond traditional mechanisms of approaching information to readers (e.g. caching and mirroring), this system enables the publication, classification and subscription to volumes of objects (e.g. documents, events). Authors submit their contents to publication agents. Classification authorities provide classification schemes to classify objects. Readers subscribe to topics or authors, and retrieve contents from their local delivery agent (like a kiosk or library, with local copies of objects). Object distribution is an independent process where objects circulate asynchronously among distribution agents. 
    ODS is designed to perform specially well in an increasingly populated, widespread and complex Internet jungle, using weak consistency replication by object distribution, asynchronous replication, and local access to objects by clients. ODS is based on two independent virtual networks, one dedicated to the distribution (replication) of objects and the other to calculate optimised distribution chains to be applied by the first network. 
     
    Paper 8 
    Support for Coordination and Adaptative Synchronicity in Large Scale CSCW 
    Henrique J. L. Domingos (and others) 
    hj@di.fct.unl.pt 
    DÁgora Project development team 
    Departamento de Informática, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia 
    Universidade Nova de Lisboa - Portugal 
    Abstract 
    This paper relates with the study and implementation of an integrated large scale distributed system support for groupware development and operation. It is focused on the implementation of a generic platform providing flexible coordination mechanisms and integrated support for awareness-control and adaptative synchronicity. By ``awareness-control'' we mean efficient cooperative event-notification and feedback in terms of the system-support perspective. By ``adaptative synchronicity'' we mean a flexible and complementary support for peer-synchronous interactions as well as asynchronous interactions or even disconnected work. 

    Keywords: CSCW/Groupware, Coordination Control, Large Scale Distributed Computing Support, Object-Group Orientation, Group-Communication, and Object-Replication 

     
    Paper 9 
    A Design Space and Development Process for Collaborative Systems 
    Jesus Favela, Maria T. Soriano and Manuel A. Zapata 
    {favela, msoriano, mzapata}@cicese.mx 
    CICESE Research Center 
    Km. 107 Carr. Tijuana-Ensenada, 22860, Ensenada, B.C., México 
    Abstract 
    Most research in CSCW has been conducted thru the development and evaluation of prototype systems. As the field matures, we gain a better understanding of the issues involved in the specification and design of these systems. To contribute to the understanding and development of collaborative systems we have defined a design space which identifies the spectrum of their functional requirements and design decisions. This space identifies the design issues that are most often addressed during the definition of a collaborative system. An analysis of the dependencies that exist among these issues defines simple design rules and suggests a development process which minimizes the complexity of building collaborative systems. The design space and this development process have been used in the development of two collaborative systems proving to be a useful tool during the analysis and conceptual design of such systems. 

    Keywords: Design Space, Software Architectures, CSCW 

    Paper 10 

    An Environment for Supporting Interactive Presentations to Distributed Audiences over the World-Wide Web 
    J. Arnoldo Aguilar Martínez + , Luis Bellido Triana # , J. Antonio García Macías + , Encarna Pastor Martín # , Jesús Favela Vara + , David Fernández Cambronero # 
    Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada + 
    Email: {jaguilar, antony, favela}@cicese.mx 
    Dpto. Ingeniería de Sistemas Telemáticos # 
    Universidad Politécnica de Madrid 
    Email: {lbt, encarna, david}@dit.upm.es 
    Abstract 
    In recent times tools have been developed that allow us to extend the possibilities of the WWW to support collaborative work. This paper describes a functional prototype of a computerized teaching system. The general idea is to simulate a classroom within a computerized atmosphere. The system provides a synchronous and distributed environment that uses the WWW as the communication medium. An instructor makes use of textual messages, audio, and video in order to teach a class to a pre-determined group. The high costs of a videoconferencing system using satellite connections or dedicated lines make this prototype a promising alternative. 

    Keywords: Distance Learning, Cooperative Work, Multipoint Videoconferencing, Organizational Memory. 

    Paper 11 

    A Framework for the Classification of Computer Supported Collaborative Design Approaches 
    Renata Mendes de Araujo,  Márcio de Sousa Dias 
    {renata,mdias}@cos.ufrj.br 
    COPPE - Programa de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computação 
    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 
    Caixa Postal 6851 Rio de Janeiro - RJ 
    21945-970 
    Marcos Roberto da Silva Borges 
    mborges@nce.ufrj.br 
    Núcleo de Computação Eletrônica 
    Instituto de Matemática 
    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 
    Caixa Postal 2324 Rio de Janeiro - RJ 
    20001-970 
    Abstract 
    This work presents a conceptual framework to classify the approaches involved in collaborative design support. Considering collaborative design as an agreement process, the framework is based on four main support aspects: communication, coordination, group memory and awareness mechanisms. Using this framework, we describe the approaches currently used by tools to support collaborative software design. 

    Keywords: Collaborative Design, CSCW, Groupware, Software Engineering. 

    Paper 12 

    SISCO-RIO: AN ASYNCHRONOUS SYSTEM TO SUPPORT MEETING PREPARATION 
    Maria Cláudia Cavalcanti, Marcos R. S. Borges, Marcos Yuly Endo 
    {yoko, mborges, yuly}@nce.ufrj.br 
    Núcleo de Computação Eletrônica 
    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 
    Caixa Postal 2324, Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brasil 
    Abstract 
    This article describes the SISCO-RIO system, a tool for the support of pre-meeting activities. SISCO-RIO uses a subset of functions proposed by the SISCO system, using the Web as the interface. The article gives detailed information about the architecture and the user interface, presenting examples of a meeting preparation using the system. The implementation work generated an important number of insights into the problem of implementing groupware. We also discuss the limitations and advantages of our development platform. 

    Keywords: Pre-meeting, asynchronous distributed system, group memory. 
     

    Paper 13 

    CLASS: A Computer Platform for the Development of Education's Collaborative Applications 
    Luis A. Guerrero 
    Computer Science Dept. 
    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 
    luguerre@ing.puc.cl 
    David A. Fuller 
    Computer Science Dept. 
    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 
    dfuller@ing.puc.cl 
    Abstract 
    In spite of the important development that the Web has gone through in the last years, the field of education has not taken fully advantage of this development. Using this technology on the educational process could bring different benefits for all its users. In this paper we propose a computer platform on the Web for the development of education's collaborative applications. This platform includes access control through passwords, and queries to a database with structured information, semi-structured data and meta-information. We also provide some facilities of collaboration for the applications developed. Finally we propose some applications that can be supported by this platform, and we provide the possibility to built other applications not only on the Web.