WebJunction

The phenomenon of online discussions is widespread, but how well do different discussion mechanisms fit within the library environment? Is the Internet a good way to provide for discussions of policy, programs, events, and other key library issues. How would libraries incorporate chat, newsgroups, conferences, mailing lists, and the like?

Here's the rundown of available online discussion techniques.

There are two kinds of online discussion mechanisms - real time and asynchronous.

Real time means that all the people engaged in discussion are online at the same time and participating in a typed conversation. The most popular and familiar of these mechanisms is "chat," such as the program offered to AOL subscribers as a membership benefit. Other programs are available on the Internet for any subscriber, such as Yahoo! Messenger, MSN messenger, and others. Free e-mail chat programs can be had for the price of a free Web-based e-mail account, such as Yahoo.

A system is "asynchronous" when members of the discussion group come online at different times, leave messages for each other, and then respond to messages others leave -- all on their own time, and not at the same time.

There are other options for organizations with geographically dispersed memberships, when time-zone difficulties prevent phone and conference calls. Within the category of asynchronous mechanisms, there is a large range of sophistication, from e-mail to virtual decision rooms.

Asynchronous communications

• E-mail: Also known as the "killer app" of the Internet. It is used by almost everyone with Internet access, offering almost no technological barriers beyond a phone line, a communications program, and a basic computer. To discuss specific topics or areas of concern, e-mail users can organize mailing lists or discussion groups. Mailing lists can be highly specific, such as for campaigns and special actions. Mailing lists also can be used for general discussion or regional discussion. Mostly, mailing lists are used to exchange information rather than for discussions.

• Newsgroups/conferences/forums: These are extensions of the mailing list concept of providing a focus for discussion. Instead of e-mail arriving in one's mailbox unsolicited, a newsgroup has to be visited by the participants. Newsgroups can be accessed via newsreader software that either comes with your mail program or that you can download for free from software libraries. In a newsgroup, topics are organized by date and title, and visitors respond to the topic of interest by "posting their message or response to the newsgroup. Newsgroups can be public or private.

• Newsgroups can also be linked to mailing lists, so people can either participate by e-mail or by visiting the newsgroup. The advantage of the newsgroup over a mailing list is that the visitor may view all the active topics on their computer screen at the same time, and choose which to respond to. This makes the discussion more organized, and the thread easier to follow.

• Web-based discussion: Both public and private discussion areas can be found on the Web via conferencing systems.  A great example is WebJunction's own community discussion forums.

• Decision Rooms: These are services offered by companies on the Web to facilitate online collaboration. Some are specific to the Lotus Notes program, and some are generic for all types of Internet and Web software. An example is Decision Room.

In theory, the Internet is a good way to provide discussion of policy issues. In practice, it takes effort and leadership to make the discussion productive. Facilitated discussions don't happen unless someone facilitates them. If discussions are not facilitated, then they tend to be dominated by a few, get off track, follow tangents, and rarely come to clear-cut conclusions. This is true in real-life face-to-face discussions, and just as true online.