BOX 4.1
Some Definitions of "Groupware"

• Specialized computer aids designed for use by collaborative work groups—Robert Johnson

• Software applications that are designed to support . . . groups—especially software that recognizes the different roles the users of the application have—Jonathan Grudin

• The class of applications arising from the merging of computer plus communications technology. These systems support . . . users engaged in a common task and provide an interface to a shared environment—Clarence Ellis

• Computer-based tools that can be used by work groups to facilitate the exchange and sharing of information (including user adaptations of individual tools to support group functionality)—Christine Bullen and John Bennett

• Loose-bundled collection of multifunction tools in an interactive system . . . that are susceptible to use by all the members of a group, plus the user practices that incorporate them into day-to-day service to accomplish group tasks—Tora Bikson

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Note: The term "groupware," while variously defined, refers to current efforts to make distributed computer technology meet the needs of multiperson groups engaged in varied work or social interactions.