User Interfaces for CSCW Systems
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TL;DR
The potential of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) systems to place the user into even more rigid technological straitjackets has to be viewed with considerable unease since the whole history of the development of computer systems points to technology, rather than the needs of the user, calling the shots.
Abstract
We are only just beginning to come to terms with the fact that users of computer systems are individuals, and that they may wish to do their jobs in ways that don't quite fit with the collections of functional services and user interface styles known as "applications" dreamt up by software developers. The potential of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) systems to place the user into even more rigid technological straitjackets has to be viewed with considerable unease, since the whole history of the development of computer systems points to technology, rather than the needs of the user, calling the shots. Studies of early examples of CSCW systems have shown that they don't work well if they can't be adapted to fit the prevailing style of working in an organization (e.g. Carasik and Grantham 1988).
