Book excerpt: This monograph presents the still young, but already large and very active interdisciplinary realm of computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) in a systematic and well-balanced way. Besides technical progress also the cultural, social, legal, psychological and economic aspects of CSCW are discussed. The book makes accessible a wealth of information and culminates in the development and detailed discussion of a "Collaboratory" suitable to fulfil the needs of scientific cooperation in Europe. The book addresses CSCW research and development professionals as well as the general scientist interested in CSCW-based scientific cooperation. The bibliography with its more than 600 entries and the subject index are particularly comprehensive and helpful.