Collaboration Glossary

Terms you need to know when thinking and talking about online collaboration.

Collaboration

Individuals working together, typically each contributing to an overarching goal. Collaboration suggests that each contributor holds a piece to the overall puzzle, and must work with the other individuals in order to accomplish the larger goal.

Collaboration software (also known as groupware)

Application software that allows concurrent workers located at separate workstations to work together on a single project. Collaboration software typically allows individuals to communicate electronically and manage projects either online or through software installed on desktops.

Wiki

An online forum in which any user authorized to do so is able to easily add and edit content. The wiki broke down technology barriers by vastly simplifying the creation of HTML webpages, and thus, became an effective collaboration tool. Wiki is derived from the "Wiki Wiki" line of Chance RT-52 buses in Honolulu International Airport. The name is based on the Hawaiian term wiki, meaning "quick," "fast," or "to hasten."

Enterprise wiki

A private wiki located within a business or enterprise (aka collaborative software). Enterprise wikis can house documentation or serve as project management software for internal projects. Some companies use wikis to replace their intranets.

Blog (also known as weblog)

A website that contains information, written material, photos, or links in the form of an online journal, usually compiled by one or many users. These sites are continually updated by the contributor(s).

Intranet

Typically a secure, local area network (LAN) used by organizations to store or share internally relevant information and data.

Extranet

Securely extends a company's Intranet out to suppliers, vendors, partners, customers and other businesses through the use of internet protocols and networks. Typically, an extranet requires security and privacy obtained through firewalls, server management, and encryption.

Groupware (also known as Collaborative Software)

Allows users located at separate workstations to work together on a single project using communication and project management software tools.

Knowledge management

Refers to the creation, organization, sharing and flow of information in organizations. Enterprise Knowledge Management (EKM) seeks to leverage the information within the organization to further the organization's strength within the marketplace. This is accomplished by building a central repository where information can be shared, exchanged, acquired and expanded.

Web conferencing

Refers to the ability to hold group meetings or live presentations over the Internet, where each participant sits at his or her computer and connects into a central location through the Internet. Different elements of the meeting can be delivered through the Internet. The most basic feature of a web conference is screen sharing, whereby conference participants see whatever is on the presenter's screen. Usually this is accompanied by voice communication done through a traditional telephone conference. Sometimes, the entire presentation – voice and lecture - is delivered via the Internet.

Instant Messaging (IM)

Allows individuals who have downloaded client software to locate individuals who are online concurrently and communicate with those individuals in real-time. While most instant messaging is the exchange of text messages, it is advancing to the point of being able to conduct voice and video conversations via the messaging software.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

A cryptographic protocol which provides secure communication over the Internet.

Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

A way of syndicating content over the web that allows users to receive amalgamate information in the form of a "web-feed" onto their desktop. Commonly used for news and discussion sites, RSS allows information to come to the user, rather than the user having to visit websites to receive the latest information.

Virtual teams

A group of individuals working across time, space, and organizational boundaries, facilitated by layers of communication technology, such as telephones, email, and collaboration software. Geographically dispersed teams allow organizations to hire and retain the best people regardless of location.