==== * exactly what's in the book*
A bible for those creating or leading or participating in groups online. The book is comprehensive about groups online, both about the internet tools and the human group process. It is a guide for group leaders, teachers, participants and administrators behind the scenes.
The book will cover all types of groups on the Internet in depth. Here is are the chapter headings:
Chapter 1 - Groups Online - Rethinking Everything.
Chapter 2 - Types of Groups
Chapter 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
Chapter 4 - Creating an Online Group
Chapter 5 - Being in a Group Online
Chapter 6 - Online Group Dynamics
Chapter 7 - Training for Online Groups
Chapter 8 - Case Studies
To give an idea of the level of detail in the book Chapter 2 will have two main subheadings, each with a further list of subheadings. Each headings breaks down into a deeper level of detail.
Chapter 2 - Groups Online - a Typology
1. Types of Online Groups:
Virtual Community - Online Learning - Online Groups in Business
2. Types of Group Software
Web based conference systems, Email groups (mailing lists), Usenet News groups, Groupware on corporate networks, Groups as a part of a proprietary workspace.
Following one of these subheadings we see that each of these headings is comprehensive in its scope. For example:
Online Groups in Business
Communities of Customers, Conferences, Communities of Practice, Work Teams, Knowledge Sharing Groups, Executive Committees and Boards, Collaboration groups.
The exposition of the Roles in Chapter 3. will be similarly detailed. With this typology established the book goes onto to the tasks for the various roles: for example Design - this will address questions such as which software is best for certain types of groups. Sections on Participation and Leadership will look at how to prevent and manage flame wars, identity deceit, abuse etc.
The book will go into detail on specifics but it will not try to be a technical manual for the software, which would be easily outdated and it would be impossible to cover it all. For example all group software from mailing lists to web based conferences will have some way of joining registering or subscribing people - the exact way this is done in each case and in each version of the software is different. The advantages of having people do their own subscription in rather than being added administratively will be discussed. The exceptions to this will be noted.
The Groupwork Online will aim at presenting universal principles rather than specific instances. For example it will talk about "Web based conferencing systems like Web Crossing and Caucus" rather than the details specific to either of them. It will point to resources on the net where there are reviews and evaluations of each one.
===== * what your thesis is*
The Net is the first group tool since language. We are new to developing knowledge to work effectively in groups, as our culture has favoured one-to-one and one-to-many communication. Suddenly groups have become the vital force once again - McLuhan had the inkling: the global village. The reality is here: Virtual Communities, Markets are conversations, consumers are the best marketing tool, "history is a discussion not a statement". Being skilled in groups online is the literacy of this age.
===== * and how you intend to flesh it out*
This is a book which might mention the above in the intro, but it is about creating Groupwork Online*Literacy*. The ABC of groups but also a style guide, a bible for group creation and leadership.
So there will be a typology of types of groups, their purpose, their value. The roles needed for each group, the skills, the best software for each type. The principles of groupwork. Brief Case studies. Links to groups online to investigate. (A web page associated with the book would keep these up to date and form the basis of new editions.)
===== * an argument for why they should buy your book*
There are no books quite like it. (There are some on "Virtual Communities" and also on how to make money from groups. Plenty on Cyberspace and the internet with a different focus.)
The aim is to have a generic definitive reference. There is enormous breadth in groupwork online. Usenet is still huge. There are groups within organizations run on Microsoft exchange and Lotus notes and Groupwise.
The book will be promoted virally in online groups by people who use groups, and who need others to know this stuff, as groups all work better if everyone is *group literate*.
===== *why anyone will want to read it*
It is a handy reference, practical and somewhat annoying to be in groups with people who are not *group literate*
It will be pleasant to read and browse. I am aiming for it to be a "How to book" but also with *warmth*. One of the main points about groups and people is that they can be led and encouraged in groups but not forced or bought. The book will engage in the same way.
Groupwork Online will changed the way people look at online groups ... and life! It will have a wealth of positive design concepts and read a little like a book of meditations without loosing its practical footing.
People will keep quoting references to it... in order to get their groups working well, this will invite sales.
Reading this is an act of responsibility for anyone who wants to get their groups working well; anyone in a position of responsibility with respect to a team, board, classroom, extended family, club, or collaborative project. This includes professional and business people in all areas of endeavor. Being in groups and being online is synonymous with being a literate professional.
===== *who the audience is*
Professional and business people in all walks of life. Being in groups and being online is synonymous with being a literate professional.
===== *how to market your book*
The book will sell, as it will be promoted virally in Online Groups by people
who use groups, and who need others to know this stuff, as groups all work
better if everyone is group literate. It is ideally situated to
be released
in part through free chapters online, and the potential for a complete download
for cash.
===== *other books in the market would be considered comparable or competitive with yours*
Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together : A Pioneering Approach to Communicating in Business and in Life by William Isaacs, William Issacs, Peter Senge (Foreword)
Beautiful concepts. More esoteric and not inclusive of the online medium.
Community Building on the Web: Secret Strategies for Successful Online Communities by Amy Jo Kim
Specialises in "communities" - hence not as focussed on business oriented and learning groups, as well as email groups and Usenet style newsgroups, which are the most prolific, see http://www.egroups.com, now owned by Yahoo!.
Leaders
: Strategies for Taking Charge by Burt Nanus, Warren G. Bennis
A resource but not
a competitor, as Groupwork Online
is not only for leaders but
administrators, "social designers", participants.
Hosting Web Communities: Building Relationships, Increasing Customer Loyalty, and Maintaining A Competitive Edge by Cliff Figgalo
Useful, similar to Amy Jo Kim.
These books are on the same shelf in the bookstore but they all occupy a slightly different niche.
===== *your credentials for writing the book*
I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Christchurch NZ. In addition to face to face work I do psychotherapy online and online interaction consultation withhttp://www.groupsense.co.nz I am a qualified Social Worker and Psychodramatist.
I have worked intensively with psychological groups online since 1993. This has been the research focus of Psybernet http://www.psybernet.co.nz , my website which has been online since about 1994. This includes conducting Dreamevents - (see article on the web: DreamEvents in Psyberspace ) In the last three years I have introduced online groups to health and educational organisations.
===== *and your media "platform."*
I have been interviewed in NZ on pubic radio and for the news media as an expert in such things as sex online, internet addiction etc.
My website has had thousands of visitors, and is well linked to on the web.
Notes for the Overview:
From Peter Occhiogrosso <peteroc@prodigy.net>
Re: Writing Tue, 22 Aug 2000 10:00:39 -0400*This is the opening section (and most crucial) of any good book proposal. It tells the agent or editor exactly what's in the book, what your thesis is and how you intend to flesh it out. It's essentially an argument for why they should buy your book, and why anyone will want to read it. After that in a good proposal you'll have sections on who the audience is, how to market your book, what other books in the market would be considered comparable or competitive with yours, and your credentials for writing the book--your academic or research background, your experience in the field in an active, hands-on sense, and your media "platform." That last term refers to how many people you can reach on your own in the course of a year--students, clients, followers, etc. Do you give workshops? How many people read your Website or whatever your platform for reaching potential readers is. Publishers are increasingly parsimonious about spending on promotion. The ten-city author tour is practically a thing of the past unless you're already a vest-selling author. In effect, they want YOU to do their job for them. A pretty state of affairs.*