Refining temporal criteria to classify collaborative systems

This paper presents a critical analysis of classification criteria for coll aborative systems, and a more refined proposal for their reformulation. The analysis highlights the multiplicity of definitions and uses of the same s et of classification terms which denote time relationships in collaborative systems. We observe that authors, when characterizing collaborative system s, use concepts without giving an exact definition of them, and other autho rs use terms in an ambiguous way, as if they were synonyms, when in fact th ey are not. This situation encourages the revision and reformulation of the conflictive terms. Specifically, the real-time, concurrent and synchronous concepts are analysed, and we apply them in different areas of this techno logy, resulting in the reformulation of the criteria. In many cases the res ulting criteria are truly new due to the fact that their meanings, apart fr om being more precise, are different from those already used by some author s. The refining of criteria contributes to the organization and placement o f the classification concepts, and helps in the formation of a useful vocab ulary in order to better characterize collaborative systems. (C) 1999 Acade mic Press.