The research on Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) is largely inconsistent. These inconsistencies may be attributed to the different system software, tasks, subjects, and methodological designs. A study utilized a commercially developed conferencing software (Quickmail) to allow other researchers to gain easy access to the software and form a basis for future comparative study. Quickmail was used to compare the effects of Face to Face (FTF) and CMC among 144 undergraduate participants on communication variables in a two-stage (idea generation and idea evaluation) design. Results indicated that more ideas were generated within CMC than in FTF, and participants engaged in more off-task comments in FTF than in CMC. No differences were found on process satisfaction, decision outcome satisfaction, and consensus. Research limitations and practical implications are addressed. (Three figures are included and 47 references are attached.) (Author/SR)