The synchronous (real-time) presence of peer-group members can enhance the emotional well-being of tele-workers and improve problem solving performance and situated learning. To promote the deployment of next-generation presence-awareness tools in collaborative environments, we have implemented an open-source cross-platform Instant Messaging and geo-location tool called BuddySpace, which provides multiple views of collaborative workgroups based on the concept of 'active dots on geographically-accurate detailed maps', and augmented by a variety of semantically-based services. BuddySpace is being deployed in several innovative contexts, including distributed computing projects and distance learning courses at The Open University in order to create new models of peer collaboration for sharing the right knowledge with the right people in the right places at the right time.

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