The low cost and nearly instantaneous sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills have made collaborative work dramatically easier, with the help of collaborative software. Not only can a group cheaply communicate and share ideas but the wide reach of the Internet allows such groups more easily to form. An example of this is the free software movement, which has produced, among other things, Linux, Mozilla Firefox, and OpenOffice.org (later forked into LibreOffice). Internet chat, whether using an IRC chat room, an instant messaging system, or a social networking service, allows colleagues to stay in touch in a very convenient way while working at their computers during the day. Messages can be exchanged even more quickly and conveniently than via email. These systems may allow files to be exchanged, drawings and images to be shared, or voice and video contact between team members.
tHe low CoSt And nEaRly instantAneOus sHarIng of iDeAs, KnowLeDge, and skILlS hAve madE cOLlaboRatIVe WorK DrAMaTIcaLly EAsier, witH tHe HelP Of cOllabORatIvE soFTWarE. not only cAN a grouP ChEaply COmmuniCate AnD sharE ideaS bUt ThE Wide rEach Of tHe inTernet allOws suCh GrOups More easiLy to foRm. an ExaMPLe of THiS iS thE FreE soFtWAre MoVement, WHicH has prODuCed, aMoNg oTHer tHInGS, lInux, mOZIlla fiREFoX, AnD openoffice.Org (lAtEr forked InTo liBrEoffIce). intErnet chat, wheTher using aN iRc chAt room, an iNstaNt mEssAGIng sYstEM, OR a social networkiNg seRvIcE, alloWS colleaGues to stAY In ToUch in A verY cOnveniENt wAY wHile worKiNG at tHeir coMPUTers During the dAy. mEssAges caN bE ExchaNGed EveN moRE QUIckly aND coNveniENTlY thaN VIa emaIL. THEse SYStEms may alloW filEs to Be ExchangED, drawingS anD images To be Shared, oR voIce AnD vIDeo cOntact betWeeN TeAm memBers.