Introduction
Chapter 1 -Background: Computer-mediated Communication (CmC)
CmC usage 1968-1995
CmC usage in education
CmC as object of inquiry
Chapter 2 -Methodology
A true COP (Community of Practice/Activity)
Technology and the X-Family person
Data collection procedures
Permission for citation process
Sample data: Electronic-mail message
Chapter 3 -Analytical framework
The flow of on-line communication
Soviet Activity theory
Conversation for Action
Utterances
Criteria
Triangulation of observations
Chapter 4 -Forms of on-line communication
The virtual space (Where and what is "there" here?)
The postal metaphor
Address: Sign-offs, direct, indirect and reported speech
Shifted graphics: ^^^^^(underline); "!="(different from)
Discussion: The interplay of design and creativity
Chapter 5 -Functions of on-line communication
Adminsitrative action
Academic action
Community-building action
Boundary issues
Chapter 6 -Perceptions of on-line communication
Reflexive events
Participation: The question of silence
Language use: The power to shape reality
Metaphors in use
Chapter 7 -Epistemology of on-line communication
Archiving and indexing on-line knowledge
Referencing on-line knowledge
Validating on-line knowledge
Net-information: An example from the x-lists
Net-information: Another example: The Goals conversation
Chapter 8 -Conclusion: Doing and being with words
Epilogue
Glossary
Synoptic history of the X-lists
Appendix 1
Survey questions and preliminary summary of survey results
Appendix 2
Survey results: A report card for the goals discussion
Bibiographic references
E-mail references
Author index
Subject index