Criteria


 * Criteria for assessing the social networking tools studied**
 * Usability and sociability factors as stated below (Preece)
 * Cost to organisation to set up and maintain
 * How the PD that is expected to be provided matches what the social network tool offers
 * Security of information / data for the organisation
 * Stability of the tool being used
 * The ability to share a variety of different media

Based on Jenny Preece's ideas on Usability and Sociability here are some logical steps towards developing a successful online community:

· Write a concise, clear Statement of Purpose

· Determine professional development needs

· Consider how social interaction is to be supported, eg What kinds of subgroups may form and how will their needs differ?

· Choose web tool/s – factors to be considered: costs, technical skills, time, host, technical constraints, intuitiveness

· Formulate sociability plan:

__Access __ – provide a clear statement about technical and other access requirements, should community be closed? Support different levels of experience __Role-playing __ – decide whether moderators and experts are needed and how to manage their contribution __Policies __ – editorial, registration, governance (netiquette, free speech, rule enforcement), trust (protect confidential information, disclaimers, copyright statement), security.

· Usability Criteria:

__Navigation __ – are tools we choose easy to navigate around? __Access __ – is access easy, eg consider download times, include clear access instructions to staff? develop accurate conceptual maps for users with different levels of experience? __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Information/communication design __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> – eg, can outdated or incomplete material be removed? Is text presented effectively? Are colours used excessively or gratuitously? Is there consistent design within the site? Enable the communication of emotion and intent (eg emoticons), Are communications easy to follow

Preece’s Checklist for Sociability and Usability:

1. Why should I join this community? 2. How do I join or leave? 3. What are the rules? What shouldn’t I do? 4. How do I get started? 5. Can I do what I want to do easily? 6. Is the community safe? 7. Can I express myself as I wish? 8. Why should I come back? Why contribute?

Reference: Preece, J. (2000). //Online communities: Designing usability, supporting sociability//. Chichester: John Wiley.