Applying
Social Capital and Usability Theory to Movable Type
Preece
purpose
Website to promote Movable
Type, "a decentralized, web-based personal publishing system
designed to ease maintenance of regularly updated news or journal
sites, like weblogs."
people
For writers and webmasters
and anyone wanting to manage a weblog.
structure
Easily navigable site
using Movable Type software, with Recently Updated sites listed
along the right. Site includes user support forums.
usability
The site is easy to use,
and the process for obtaining a software download is quick and simple.
The installation of this software can be complex, and the many tags
that can be used may be confusing, but the instructions and user
manual are clear and concise and the user interface is considered
excellent.
sociability
As discussed elsewhere,
Movable Type tools such as comments, TrackBack, notifications facilitate
networking.
Lin
social networking
The user support forums
provide networking among users of Movable Type, and are especially
valuable to new users. The Recenty Updated feature is a good use
of recognition, as is the gratitude shown to the beta testers, contributors
and developers.
social capital
The developers are highly
regarded - i.e., they exhibit reputation capital, and they share
and honor knowledge capital among the community of users.
Paquet
knowledge communication
movabletype.org includes
a blog. The main purpose of this blog is to clearly communicate
changes and updates to the Movable Type software, and any relevant
information among the MT user community that is useful to the implementation
of the software.
Rheingold
smart mobs
Blogging is viral, and
is an evolved use of website technology; Movable Type is the tool
for community to spring up around blogs.
Gladwell
connectors, mavens
and tipping points
Movable Type
creators Ben and Mena Trott are mavens (enthusiastic teachers) in
their advocacy of personal publishing. The arrival of Movable Type
software might be seen as a tipping point to a proliferation of more
powerful blogs (whereas Blogger's arrival was certainly a tipping
point to the popularity of blogs).
Applying
Theory to Zuiker Chronicles Online
Preece
purpose
Online family space for
news, discussion and photos
people
Members of the extended
Zuiker Family descended from Cornelius Zuiker, but also Zuikers
in Holland and Canada, and friends of the family. Created and administered
by Anton Zuiker.
structure
Full website built around
weblog
usability
Movable Type blog software
allows for clean, easy-to-understand content, while other features
(search, bulletin board, etc.) chosen for ease of use. Informal
survey shows users find the site easy to use.
sociability
Tools for communication
and sociability included, but little used; comments system used
somewhat, while forum never used. Personal e-mail among family still
default online communication method.
Lin
social networking
Site design, functions
and tools allow for networking and, if more widely used, could lead
to better social networking.
social capital
The popularity of family
contributions such as Frank photo feature, family tree and history
lessons show social capital at work.
Paquet
knowledge communication
Anton as author is a
creator of knowledge capital through blog.
Rheingold
smart mobs
Let them come - the site's
been built for some time!
Gladwell
connectors, mavens
and tipping points
Anton as author
a potential connector ("knows a lot of people") or maven
("enthusiastic teacher and student"), but not without improved
off-line communication with more of the family.