JCBR's Report

We shouldn't create social systems as functional and expect people to use it naturally and comfortably without first understanding people's social activity instincts.

However, we should design social systems according to human's social motivations and needs.

Software cannot be social in nature, it is mankind that is social in nature.

With that, I had thought of some social rules that were applied to current social systems.

a. Low barrier to entry.

In real life, if you want to include as many friends in your life, you cannot make it difficult for others to befriend you. Similarly in a social system/service, registration must be made easily accessible but there must also be credentials checking, etc.

[It really depends what kind of social service you are providing]

b. Politeness, friendliness and respectfulness.

In real life, we do not welcome or condone (usually we condemn) people who do not observe social norms such as being polite and respectful. In cyberspace, social systems have filtering rules in forums, terms and conditions to be adhered to and as well as social norms seen by how other online users condemn someone's unruly behavior.

What is the norm in real life are also a norm in online social space.

c. Observing personal space and boundaries.

In real life, we do not reveal everything to everyone. We decide where our personal boundaries extend to. Likewise in social systems, we do not reveal overly personal information online or do we accept anyone to have access in viewing our online profiles (Facebook, Friendster).

One good example, while others may be comfortable in revealing that their relationship status had changed from being "in a relationship" to being "single" (Seen in context, Facebook), others may feel uncomfortable about the whole world knowing that they had broken up and would wish no one would ask about it.

In applying the above concepts, I had learned how to better craft and design social network communities such as Facebook Pages, Twitter tweets and online forums.

For example, group pages on Facebook. I remembered I will create a group page on FB

and invite my classmates to join. Considering everyone at that time has a Facebook account, barrier to entry is low.

Facebook group page was meant for class interaction and discussion but no interesting content was created, even if someone created some content, no one will comment and I doubted they read it. Although there are no traffic after my classmates had joined the group, one thing for sure I was successful about:

There is a conformity pressure, if you are in the class and if you do not join this exclusive class group page, you will be left out. Moreover, being proud of being in the class, everyone will accept my group invitation to build their identities online.

You can connect people, you can provide a platform but real collaboration comes in when online social services were designed after understanding the social behavior in real life such as:

a. Social motivation

Social motivation in a way that, "Hey, are my good friends in that platform?"

"What is my motivation for sitting in front of the computer screen, is it because my friends are usually there and I can talk to all of them at one time making sure I am in the loop of everyone?

b. Content and value of participation

In the case of Wiki, there is incentive to provide high quality articles because wiki authors wants approval and respect from fellow wiki authors and readers.

The value of any discussion, gossips, etc be it online or offline relies on the content.

My friend once told me how she stayed awhile longer just to listen and participate in the gossips and "updates" of the students in School of Computing. I felt it was amazing how the content and how people derive their perceived value and satisfaction out of gossips can glue them to a coffee shop table in Clementi.

In conclusion, how do we start off such an online group page and make it more successful (hopefully)?

a. Advertise, create awareness and know your social service has value people are looking for.

b. Generate useful and interesting content at least twice a week or minimally once a week.

c. Have a core group of members to comment and generate commentary traffic to the above content.