Increasing use of computer-mediated communication

Description:

Computer-mediated communication reffers to interactions that occur via computer-mediated formats (i.e., instant messages, e-mails, chat rooms, online games) between two or more individuals(1). This kind of communication are becoming ubiquotous since the generalised use of internet and mulitimedia-enabled personal computers.

This kind of communication has had a broad impcat in the way people form and mantain social relationships by provinding new possibilities to mantain communication with people in distant places. This kind of communication has also impacted deeply the way people interact in working and educational environments by enabling new ways of collaborative work and data exchange. It also has influenced the way people make decisions by enabling remote meetings and data exchange.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-mediated_communication

Enablers:

1. Increasing use of internet [1]

2. Increasing use of digital media

3. Increasing network bandwidth [2]

Inhibitors:

1. Increasing online security threats

Paradigms:

1. The use computer-mediated communication makes easier and enriches communication with people who are located at remote distances

2. The physsical presence is not any longer a requirement for holding a working meeting.

Timing:

1965: first use of email

1970: UNIX offers instant messaging

1972: Development of ARPANET, predecessor of nowadays internet

1989: the internet becomes commercial

1990: The world wide Web is created

1996: first graphical interface messaging client(ICQ)

Web Resources:

1. Association of Internet Researchers [3]

2. Cornell University CMC [4]

3. Sociolinguistics and CMC - online research group and community blog site [5]