Exploring new Social Networking agenda in W3C
Social networking is a complex, large and rapidly expanding sector of
the information economy. The impacts of emerging social networking tools will
be far-reaching. For example, user-generated content is causing changes in the
traditional content/media industry structure. In the future, community features
could be an integral part of all digital (Web and other) experiences from
information/publishing to business and entertainment.
Virtual communities and their operators are evolving towards transport network
neutral systems: whether using the mobile Web or handset applications, "made-for-mobile"
communities must have a web presence available on PC; on-line communities must
offer their participants mobile access when the participant is on the go and when
social media is captured on the mobile device.
Virtual community industry partners should anticipate and be working to resolve
barriers to growth in a transport network-neutral (fixed-mobile converged network)
environment.
Statement of the problem
The speed and the numerous facets of change in virtual communities are producing
a risky environment for companies seeking to contribute new and significant value
to this industry. Instead of an ecosystem of interlocking and interdependent businesses,
silos (closed, vertically integrated community platforms) have developed and
continue to rise skyward.
Although in the last six months there have arisen two very promising, but young
and as of yet unproven, initiatives seeking to reduce barriers between community
platforms (e.g.,OpenSocial Foundation) and protect users' data (Data Portability Group)
at this time the virtual communities industry does not have an overarching association
or organization. In addition, the two new industry activities are both focused on web
community, dominated by web-centric providers. What is lacking is a formal administrative
structure respected worldwide within which virtual community industry-shaping decisions
can be examined, new work undertaken in a collaborative atmosphere, and issues of policy
(regulatory, ethics, metrics, etc) discussed from the perspective of rapid as well as
managed virtual community growth.
Solution
If acted upon swiftly, there is an opportunity to bring together virtual community
industry leaders to initiate new work groups and activities within the W3C, and to
address the virtual community industry's important future needs.
What next?
PEREY Research & Consulting has collaborated with Dominique Hazael-Massieux,
the W3C Mobile Web Initiative activity leader, on this solution but a new staff person
is necessary to take on this important mission. We propose that a W3C Fellow post be
created to manage the organization of a Virtual Communities workshop later in 2008 and
to follow the W3C process for guidelines and specifications on behalf of all present
and future virtual community players.
To learn more about the W3C Mobile Web Initiative go to www.w3c.org/Mobile
Please contact me for more information about
the proposal, or if you would like me to send it to you.
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