TY - JOUR T1 - Hanging on the 'Wire: A Field Study of an Audio-only Media Space JF - ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction Y1 - 1997 A1 - Mark S. Ackerman A1 - Starr, Brian A1 - Hindus, Debby A1 - Scott D. Mainwaring KW - audio KW - audio spaces KW - CMC KW - computer-mediated communication KW - electronic social spaces KW - media spaces KW - mediated communication KW - norms KW - privacy KW - rich interactions KW - social interactions KW - social presence KW - speech interactions KW - telepresence AB -

The primary focus of this article is an analysis of an audio-only media space from a computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) perspective. To explore whether audio by itself is suitable for shared media systems, we studied a workgroup using an audio-only media space. This media space, called Thunderwire, combined high-quality audio with open connec-tions to create a shared space for its users. The two-month field study provided a richly nuanced understanding of this audio spaces social use. The system afforded rich sociable interactions. As well, users were able to create a useful, usable social space; however, through an analysis of the social norms that the participants formulated, we show that they had to take into account being in an audio-only environment. Within the field study, then, audio by itself was sufficient for a usable media space and a useful social space, but users were forced to adapt to many audio-only and system conditions. The article also considers audios implications for privacy.

VL - 4 UR - Complete IS - 1 ER - TY - CONF T1 - Thunderwire: A Field Study of an Audio-only Media Space T2 - Proceedings of the 1996 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW'96) Y1 - 1996 A1 - Hindus, Debby A1 - Mark S. Ackerman A1 - Scott D. Mainwaring A1 - Starr, Brian KW - audio KW - audio spaces KW - CMC KW - computer-mediated communication KW - electronic social spaces KW - media spaces KW - mediated communication KW - norms KW - rich interactions KW - social interactions KW - social presence KW - speech interactions KW - telepresence AB -

To explore the potential of using audio by itself in a shared media system, we studied a workgroup using an audio-only media space. This media space, called Thunderwire, combined high-quality audio with open connections to create a shared space for its users. The two-month field study provided a richly nuanced understanding of this audio space's social use. The system afforded rich sociable interactions. Indeed, within the field study, audio by itself afforded a telepresent environment for its users. However while a usable media space and a useful social space, Thunderwire required its users to adapt to many audio-only conditions.

JF - Proceedings of the 1996 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW'96) UR - Complete ER - TY - CONF T1 - The Zephyr Help Instance: Promoting Ongoing Activity in a CSCW System T2 - Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI"96) Y1 - 1996 A1 - Mark S. Ackerman A1 - Palen, Leysia KW - CMC KW - collaborative help KW - collective help KW - computer-mediated communications KW - e-communities KW - electronic social spaces KW - expertise sharing KW - help KW - knowledge sharing KW - media spaces KW - norms KW - organizational interfaces KW - social maintenance AB -

If Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) systems are to be successful over time, it will be necessary to promote ongoing and continuing activity, not just initial adoption. In this paper, we consider what technical and social affordances are required to encourage the continued use of a CSCW system. To explore these issues, we examine a chat-like system, the Zephyr Help Instance, which is used extensively at MIT. The Help Instance facilitates users asking questions of one another, and is an example of a distributed help and problem-solving system. We provide an overview of the system’s use as well as those mechanisms, both technical and social, that facilitate continuing its use over time.

JF - Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI"96) UR - Complete ER -