collabwrite


 * Collaborative software** (AKA groupware) is application software that integrates work on a single project by several concurrent users at separated workstations. In its modern form, it was pioneered by Lotus Software with the popular [|Lotus Notes (view video)] application running in connection with a Lotus Domino server.

Software becomes more valuable when more people use it (see [|Metcalfe's law]) For example, calendaring becomes more useful when more people are connected to the same electronic calendar and choose to keep their individual calendars up-to-date.

The terms **collaborative writing** and peer collaboration refer to projects where written works are created by multiple people together rather than individually. Some projects are overseen by an editor or editorial team, but many grow without any top-down oversight. In a true collaborative environment, each contributor has an equal ability to add, edit, and remove text. The writing process becomes a recursive task, where each change prompts others to make more changes. It is easier to do if the group has a specific end goal in mind, and harder if a goal is absent or vague.


 * Online word processing** tools (like [|Writeboard] allow simple collaborative, online writing.

A **blog** (or weblog) is a website in which items are posted on a regular basis and displayed with the newest at the top. Like other media, blogs often focus on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news. Some blogs function as personal online diaries, but by using multiple authors and controlling editing permissions, a blog can be a collaborative project. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Since its appearance in 1995, blogging has emerged as a popular means of communication, affecting public opinion and mass media around the world. Blogs are sometimes referred to as personal journalism.

Blogs can be hosted by dedicated blog hosting services like [|http://www.blogger.com] or they can be run using blog software on regular web hosting services such as the NJIT Serendipity35 blog [|http://devel2.njit.edu/serendipity]

Students should be familiar with both [|academic blogging] and, for students in professional programs, management, and writing programs,they should be familiar with [|corporate blogging] examples used professionally.

The wiki software, upon which [|Wikipedia] runs, evolved from a free software philosophy for similar collaborative applications. The Division 35 Wiki at [|http://eris.njit.edu/mediawiki] is built with the same software. The American government is becoming very involved in wiki use [|Video on wiki use for collaboration by government agencies] and the idea of [|communities of practice] (our class might be seen as such).
 * WIKIS**