OLR: Exercise 3 – Topic 4

I would design and manage content for a blog these days by picking firstly the software to use that is commonly known and used by the community. An example of this is this blog which is based on the wordpress engine. The content would then be structured into different categories such as we have here.

The actual flesh of the content would come from myself citing sources of information and repsonding to the people that comment on my site. A blog is about talking to people, stating your opinions and backing them up. In one way it is like a conversation with the reader.
www.wordpress.com

This site uses the wordpress blogging software that I have decided to look into. This software is very easy to use for both the blogger and the person viewing the blog. The layout is in a logical order allowing users to specify categories  in order to find the content that one seeks easier. This software is more directed at the blogger rather then building an online community as we compare it to Kim’s writings. The software does have many plug ins called widgets that can be used to customise the blog and enhance the features that can be used on the site. For example it has a widget for the Meebo chat chat plug in (www.meebo.com).

Most importantly are presentation. This software allows bloggers to pick a number of different styles and themes for use as you can see from my example I have chosen one that is different from the default one.

In comparison to Kims writings about 9 Design Strategies (Kim 2000a) and the three underlying principles (kim 2000b)

Lets look at these in greater detail starting with Kim 2000a

1. Blogger allows a section where the purpose of this blog can be detailed. This is known as the default About page where the blogger can give a speal about what the blog is about.

2. The technology of blogger is very easy to use and thus allows participation from all levels of experience.

3. Blogger does not allow participants to define themselves. It allows parrticipants to define themselves from their posts.

4. The community can be built to offer new participants help. However this blog does not come with a general discussion function such as a forum so people can only help new participants by responding to their comments.

5. Fostering leaders is more something designed around a more community focused site such as a forum. WordPress is more designed as a virtual soapbox for the owner of the site.

The blogging software does not really apply to the other design rules

The blogging software in comparison to the underlying principles does meet two of the three. The software does allow for expansion and growth into different directions. These are fueled by the customization of the software. In addition to this the software does have functionality for visitors to leave comments on the site as a means of discussion and providing feedback. The main downfall of this software is that it dosn’t allow users to take control and collaborate as with other online communities. As stated earlier this is more about being a soapbox for the person running the site.

Overall this software is fantastic for what it was intended to do. It provides a clean easy to use user interface an has many customisation options.

OLR: Exercise 2 – Topic 4

A) Discuss three ways of providing users with more control in an online community.

There are infinate ways to provide users with more control within communities they visit. These features would vary depending on the intentions of their use. For example tools could be developed to enable better user contribution. These controls would enable the user to feel like a bigger part of the community and as thus giving them a greater stake and percieved ownership of the community.

Tools could enhance such functionality as building their online persona through extra fields  their profile to allowing them their own blog. The current trend is to allow communities to be build and developed by their users. This web 2.0 phenomina that is currently sweeping the web allows users to submit and generate all forms of content from traditional text to rich multimedia uploads such as video.

Other tools of a more community focus could be deployed such as tools for karama enabling community members to police themselves. Also a rewards system that encourages interaction within the online community.

B) The rules are based around enabling people to contribute with each other, enable them to build the wealth of knowledge within the site and keep the rules simple.

C) Collaborative software systems with synchronous communications need to have a clear set of rules of engagement as they are operating within real time. The moderations need to be able to deal with issues as they arise on the fly. The need is still there within document sharing systems as inappropriate content can and will be submitted. The advantage of this is that these can be moderated much easier and sections of the document can be removed or hidden for review. Reporting of inappropriate activities can be made much easier and automation can be inplace e.g. If the document gets x number of bad marks against it, it is hidden from the public for review.

OLR: Exercise 1 – Topic 4

The community Dogzonline is a very unique niche where dog lovers can come together!

The site has alot of features including:

Rich content

A section for breeders

Forums

Calssifides

Market place

Links to external clubs

And a VIP card which gives you discounts to the merchants listed on the site.

 

Regular Events?

Some regular events for an online community such as this could be.. Doggy of the month, owner of the month. Drawing contests, and art contests.