The Access Grid (AG) links geographically separated people so that they may participate simultaneously in different types of group activities. This technology shows clear potential for engendering conditions capable of supporting true distance collaboration; however, barriers exist that keep the AG from becoming a communication medium capable of rivaling face-to-face meetings. This paper reviews literature from social psychology, anthropology and computer-supported cooperative work, suggesting possible reasons for these barriers and supporting them with evidence from three separate observations of AG events. Proposed research for addressing these issues in the coming year is discussed.

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