New technologies of communication and information representation have almost always had an impact on the conduct of social and organizational life, sometimes creating new linkages, strengthening some existing ones and breaking others. Science operates within a technological environment which itself is a product of social, cultural, economic and political factors. Using in-depth interviews with members of a department of anthropology (faculty, technical support staff, and graduate students) who have recently been introduced to a new technology, Geographic Information Systems, a study examined issues of communication and community building in relation to knowledge production. Results indicated that (1) anthropologists do not explicitly acknowledge the importance of technology in the production of science; and (2) what scientists talk about may be less important than who they talk to--and this is often determined by methodological rather than conceptual alliances. (Contains 56 references.) (Author/RS)