Culture and Participation in the Development of CMC: Indigenous Cultural Information System Case Study

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) networks need to be viewed as information systems and appropriate socio-echnical
methodologies employed in their design and evaluation. Human factors issues are of particular importance for such systems, especially where they are used for cross-cultural communication. Culture, values and attitudes towards technology of the system users (and designers) are important factors which can be addressed through the use of a highly
participatory system development methodology. Significant ethical issues arise for system developers, especially in the context of systems involving indigenous communities and the preservation of local cultures. The paper discusses these topics and summarises their relevance to a cultural
heritage information system being developed with an indigenous community in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.