Virtual Workplaces What is the suitability of tools like Webex, erooms and Netmeeting for real online collaboration? Blackboard and WebCT are other tools. The other ones at http://thinkofit.com/webconf/forumsoft.htm are Facilitate, Groove, and iManage These are all pretty expensive. http://www.ewenger.com/tech/index.htm is a relevant link. Supporting Communities of Practice: A Survey of Community Oriented Technologies I recently have looked at learning management systems which are also morphing into team tools. Then there are: www.erooms.com www.intranets.com www.learningspace.com (hm, I think that is the IBM brand, not the url) Intranets.com used to have a free low volume option - not any more... Learningspace is http://www.lotus.com/home.nsf/welcome/learnspace Groove is still pretty much a "work in progress" it has been known to bloat your Windows registry nearly beyond redemption (beware!). Check out Bernie DeKoven's reviews on http://www.technography.com? Also webcrossing has a new wrapped version called Teamcrossing. See also http://www.optecs.com The list of tools with descriptions at http://www.coworking.com/html/tools.html is very useful! http://www.mimerdesk.org/ is an open source product. http://www.teamspace.de Another one I've seen is Community Zero http://www.communityzero.com/ looks to be a combination of several of the kinds of free services which are available elsewhere

OVERVIEW: Collaborative Technologies & Processes 2002 URL: http://www.icohere.com/ctp2002 CTP2002 is an online seminar that will help you gain an understanding of the growing options to enable collaboration for teams, communities of practice, learning communities, and other mission-oriented groups. Presentations & discussions with leading practioners from Hewlett-Packard, Lucent, PlaceWare and other companies and consulting firms will provide you with the strategies, frameworks, and tools to identify, assess, and select the right collaboration technologies and approaches for your work group, business unit, or organization. Spread out over 5 business days, most sessions are asynchronous (not everyone attending at the same time) allowing you to attend at any time that fits your schedule, day or night. Cost: $75 USD Dates: January 28 - February 1 Location: online using your web browser Online Information & Registration: www.icohere.com/ctp2002

Also Etienne Wenger/John Smith's online workshop on communities of practice starts 1/28 as does my/Mihaela Moussou's Facilitating Online Interaction class. URLS; http://www.fullcirc.com/ws/onfaccourse.htm http://www.ewenger.com/edu

Variations on email based communities. http://www.tightcircle.com http://www.icohere.com