The motivation for this paper is driven by the fact that studies on knowledge management tend to be approached in a very generalised, or even, categorised way. The paper outlines the need to understand how knowledge and computers have met before in both research and practice. What lessons might be learned from these previous studies? What is the prevalent understanding of computer supported knowledge management? Are we now ready to acknowledge that computers serve as active tools for knowledge creation and business performance? The paper can be seen as a theoretical contribution to the general discussion of computer support and knowledge management in terms of presenting a historical review of knowledge system generations as well as future implications for research