Session 1: Social Computing Definitions

"Social computing is an umbrella term for technologies and virtual spaces that allow users to create, describe and share content, and for the communities that arise around them."

"Definitions Smefinitions"
As stated in the quote above, Social Computing describes the technologies and virtual spaces created and shared by users. However, it seems appropriate to explore further aspects of this term. Social Computing has quickly embedded itself into our every day lives, supporting an entire culture of community interaction and artistic expression. It encompasses a new wave of human communication, thought, and emotion. In an age that is becoming increasingly dependent on technology to meet the needs of the people, it seems natural that social interaction has overwhelmed the Internet.

In the article, "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship," the author points out a few details specific to social networks that may clarify our definition. Social network sites allow people to create a public profile and establish connections with people who share the same interest (2). This visibility provides the framework for social networks, as well as the motivation and draw for a consistent stream of users to join. Online communities are formed through the mutual identification of common interests. Social networks provide the same sociability as public spaces (Boyd and Ellison, "Social Network Sites," 12).

Web 2.0 and social software speaks of online collaboration and sharing of information. This encompasses not only personal information, but also public information. It allows users to be involved in the collection of knowledge. Despite the warnings that Web 2.0 begs for "dubious content and anonymous sources" (Tenipor, "Web 2.0"), the heart of this type of open software is the peer to peer dissemination and determination of information.

Therefore, the original definition correctly describes Social Computing. Beer and Burrows, in their article "Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0," take an interesting slant on the definition: Web 2.0 is the "changing relations between the production and consumption of content, the mainstreaming of private information posted to the public domain, and...the emergence of a new rhetoric of democratization" (8). This definition seems to also accurately describe the broad reach of Social Computing. That being said, I would define the concept as: the formulation of a connection with a community of people through creating and sharing content of a personal and public nature which expands the knowledge base of an indefinite online audience.

No doubt, the intricacies of Social Computing will become more clear as the semester progresses. For now, these articles give a fairly in-depth scope as to the concept's far-reaching capabilities. The course should provide an excellent overview to the nature of social networks and Web 2.0. At the end of the semester, I hope to have a better idea of the motivation and reasoning behind this booming phenomena, as well as create a bank of resources I'll be able to use in my future career. Social computing is going to be pivotal in any marketing, communicating, or contribution our profession has for the users.