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Computer Supported Collaborative Work
The rapid evolution of information and the new potentials for communication between people have been of great importance to the success of most organizations. Key aspects were the increased availability of computer networks and the trend towards team work. One of the main emphasis of the chair of Applied Informatics-Distributed Systems is on computer support for team work. Activities in that domain are known by the notions of groupware or computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). Ellis defines groupware as 'computer-based systems that support groups of people engaged in a common task (or goal) and that provide an interface to a shared environment.' While groupware refers to real computer-based systems, means the notion CSCW the study of tools and techniques of groupware as well as their psychological, social and organizational effects. According to Wilson is 'CSCW a generic term which combines the understanding of the way people work in groups with the enabling technologies of computer networking, and associated hardware, software, services and techniques.'