The MRD concept: Sharing applications independent of time and place

In a general manner, this work first focuses upon systems designed to provide electronic communication support. It offers a conceptual framework, then elaborates upon some basic requirements for systems aimed to support cooperative efforts. Mechanisms for satisfying these requirements are also suggested.Given the proffered conceptual framework, it is argued that in order for systems aimed to support
communication within cooperative efforts to be potentially effective, they must provide some aggregation of “show, point and talk” functionality. With respect to the general themes first developed, this paper continues with a description of the Middle Road Demonstrator (MRD). The MRD is a system for communication support within cooperative work settings. It supports cooperative work by providing users with seamlessly integrated desktop conferencing and multimedia messaging facilities. The MRD provides transparent access to it’s “show, point and talk” functionality through a homogenous, task-oriented user interface. The style in which this functionality has been integrated within the MRD’s synchronous and asynchronous communication modalities leads to a new system concept; that is, the MRD enables cooperating parties to share applications inde-pendent of time and place.