Rick's experiment with a graphic signature reminded me he had used the
same sig in posts to an online conference called Collaborate '98. It's
over now, or I would offer the url. The conference was entirely virtual,
conducted in Caucus, an online conferencing system which is mostly text
based but which allows graphics.
There were keynoters, guest authors, and sessions started by participants.
Each virtual session was a separate 'thread,' and so you could read all
the comments that had come before you. You wrote your response in a text
entry box. Caucus feels quite a bit different from Lotus Notes, although
it's difficult to explain the difference. It feels a bit 'warmer' perhaps
because the text of previous messages and author names is easily
scrollable. That's a weak explanation, but all I have at the moment.
The conference was facilitated by the Metasystems Design Group who have
long experience in this kind of thing. There was a peculiar sense that you
were 'among friends' (or at least colleagues) on that conference. I
commented to Rick that I feel more prone to 'ping-ponging' here on the LO
listserve than I did in there. In other words, I feel more prone to
argument and discussion, less prone to listening and reflecting. I realize
this is a personal reaction, but I wonder how prevalent it is? Can anyone
reflect on the nature of this medium and how it makes you feel?
Neil Olonoff
Conversant Associates (703) 503-9848
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com>
Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>