A study explored the social uses of computer-mediated communication, identifying primary users and amounts of time spent using two related systems. Interviews and observations of computer users suggest that a large, socially active computing subculture is based at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus. It was hypothesized that members of the subculture are the heaviest users of available electronic mail and electronic conference systems. A questionnaire was administered directly through a special computer program on the University of Massachusetts mainframe. Light users of the electronic mail system reported they used the system to communicate with friends, but they equally reported using the system to get help with homework. Heavy users more frequently used it for social purposes--mainly to initiate friendships and to arrange personal meetings. Light users reported using the conference facility mainly to alleviate boredom. Heavy users of the conference facility reported using the system to initiate friendships. Heavy users also reported spending less time on the phone or in face-to-face communication than light users. The idea that the computer mediates and facilitates an individual's social life leads to interesting questions which further research should attempt to explore. (SRT)