1. CMC Conceptualization Spring 2002

2. General The term computer-mediated communication refers to both task-related and interpersonal communication conducted by computer. This includes communication both to and through a personal or a mainframe computer, and is generally understood to include asynchronous communication via email or through use of an electronic bulletin board; synchronous communication such as "chatting" or through the use of group software; and information manipulation, retrieval and storage through computers and electronic databases. (Ferris)

3. Transmission The 'transmission and reception of messages using computers as input, storage, output, and routing devices' (Paulsen, 1997).

4. Human Focus Computer-Mediated Communication is a process of human communication via computers, involving people, situated in particular contexts, engaging in processes to shape media for a variety of purposes. process of human communication via computers people contexts media purposes

5. 10 Years Ago? There seems to be, despite all the changes that we can transparently see have occurred in levels of use and interface design, a belief among some CMC researchers and users that findings from CMC research undertaken 10 or more years ago can be applied unchallenged today. Much CMC research has failed to take account of the nature of the user group (ie who is communicating), the interface design (ie text only, GUI, Web etc), and the type of CMC (ie conferencing, listservs, MOOs etc) being researched, and has suggested far wider application of the findings than are often justified.

6. Questions Are findings from a text-only interface applicable to a GUI or web interface? Are findings from one form of cmc (eg asynchronous computer conferencing) applicable to another (eg moos)? Are findings from experiments with email use by mainly male computer science students applicable to listerv use by mainly female qualified healthcare workers? Are findings from cmc research conducted on a small group of selected subject in a closed environment applicable to communication in an open, worldwide environment? What effects might changes over time in familiarity with CMC systems have had on levels and types of usage?

7. CMC List There are increasing numbers of forms of CMC. The technologies for mediating CMC are changing rapidly. There is increasing diversity of users and uses. Many forms of CMC, particularly where interpersonal interaction is concerned, seem to explicitly or implicitly serve multiple purposes.

8. Family Resemblance CMC, as with any form of communication, is socially constructed. Diverse research methods are applicable to any form of CMC. A search for generalizable results is meaningless.

9. CMC Fast Facts Technology and organization are 'coconstructed' There is no simple, one-way impact from technology to organizations New technology is not 'automatically' adopted Depending on actors' strategies and social interests, it is put to selective uses.