Compared with other media, computer-mediated communication (CMC) is a relatively new mode of communication that has emerged in the past two decades. In the past decade, there has been a growing body of research on CMC. There are two dominant models of CMC: the task-oriented and the social-emotion-oriented. This review discusses, compares, and contrasts several major aspects of these two models. Results indicate that both models share similarities in three areas: research methods, participants' characteristics, and task characteristics. However, the models have differences in three other areas: theoretical foundations, technology and experimental duration in research methodology, and major findings. Suggestions for future CMC research are proposed in order to more clearly identify the nature of CMC environments. (Contains 93 references.) (Author/MES)