Social translucence is a term that refers to collaborative computer network systems. In particular, their ability to “support coherent interactions” that facilitate progress toward a common goal. [1] Collaborative computer system designs that have attained a high level of social translucence make it easier for users to have “coherent discussions… to engage in peer pressure; to create.”[1] Achieving social translucence depends on a couple of key elements; that users are aware of others and that they are accountable for what they do. In this article I will be discussing the concept of social translucence in reference to a number of online collaborative systems. These systems include, Delicious, Flickr, Twitter, Last.fm, Facebook, Google Calendar and Blogger.
Delicious is an online system that allows users to archive, categorize and share online recourses. The benefits to using delicious are endless in the way that in university and research in general, valid recourses are everything. The key to getting the most from Delicious is bookmarking as much as you can; the more you have, the more resourceful Delicious becomes. As for being aware of others, it’s quite easy to see that others use the service but little evidence to tell you when they’re online. Being accountable for what you do on Delicious is something that relevent as it is primarily a service that allows people to share recourses.
Flickr is an online image sharing system in which users can post images, comment on others, add contacts and form groups. The service is predominantly used to share photos but others use it as a type of online portfolio. When posting on Flickr and my groups and commenting on works, I found dialogue soon followed. Even though Flickr doesn’t let you know when other people are online, you’re aware of the online presence of those who post frequently. As for being held accountable for what you do post on Flickr, everything is by default copywritten with all rights reserved. In the past I’ve found Flickr to be quite useful when collaborating on offline projects and it can be used as an online ideas log or journal.
Twitter, is for “staying in touch and keeping up with friends no matter where you are or what you’re doing.” [2] The Twitter service also has mobile options that allow users to talk to their twitter friends and contacts. The Twitter system is designed as a purely social system with very little use for any major discussion. You can see what people are up to by the amount of times they choose to tell Twitter what they’re doing. As for accountability, as stated, Twitter is basically a socially based system with very little need to see who is responsible for entries. Even though this is the case, users can create a profile with a portrait that allows others who is accountable for posting entries.
Last.fm “is a website and internet radio station designed to introduce people to new music.” It allows you to create play lists and explore over 10,000 songs. Additionally, with the use of a plug-in it will track what music you play on your personal computer and generate statistics as to who listens to the same music and how often. You are aware of who is online as it shows you who is listening to what in real time. Accountability as with some of the other purely social online services is not so much an issue.
Facebook is essentially an online contact book; the key lies in its popularity and abundance of users. Those who are new to the system can search the archive of existing users with ease and quickly find existing acquaintances or new friends. As far as being aware of others that use the system, Facebook gives the option to view those of your contacts that are online. Accountability isn’t really an issue for Facebook as it is predominantly a social service for keeping in contact with people.
Google Calendar allows you to see your “friends' and family's schedules right next to your own; quickly add events mentioned in Gmail conversations”[4] Additionally to this Google Calendar allows users to decide which details are kept private and those which they choose to share or make public. Google Calendar also has mobile options which notify you when a calendar entry has expired. Google Calendar, in conjunction with Google chat and Gmail can be an advantageous service for online or offline group projects. Users are aware of others but once again, this hinges on adding contacts and working up your profile and calendar.
Blogger as the name suggests is on an online blog service that allows users free web space to post entries and photos. Blogs have been helpful no end for working in groups and doing online and offline. Blogger doesn’t allow you to see other users but if you have a group blog it is easy to tell who has the strongest online presence. Blogger also has the advantage of having email and rss feeds, this can enhance the collaborative process as it’s easier to participate. Additionally, as to ownership of ideas and accountability, each entry that is made is date and time stamped to ensure this.
In conclusion, I believe no individual online service is sufficient to achieve general social translucence. Services that allow more awareness are lacking in accountability; those with emphasis on accountability lack awareness of others. However, by using these online systems together, a sense of translucence is readily achieved.
References
[1] Supporting community and building social capital: Social translucence: designing social infrastructures that make collective activity visible. Thomas Erickson, Christine Halverson, Wendy A. Kellogg, Mark Laff, Tracee Wolf.
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=505270&coll=Portal&dl=GUIDE&CFID=31887424&CFTOKEN=83293781
[2] Twitter: Frequently Asked questions : http://twitter.com/faq
[3] Wikipedia :en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last.FM
[4] Welcome to Google Calendar: Organize your schedule and share events with friends. https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=cl&passive=true&nui=1&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fcalendar%2Frender&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fcalendar%2Frender
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Social translucence - Damian Carroll - 41032899
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7 comments:
Damian:
One extra benefit of posting early is that you're more likely to get comments/feedback before the deadline, including from me (assuming that's a benefit I guess...).
On a very quick read, I think you've described the systems well, but because you have attempted to discuss all the systems we've introduced in this assignment, you've ended up covering the concepts at too high a level.
This means that you do not manage to really explore the meaning of social translucence in terms of your own experience. What would really improve your article is the insertion of specific examples from your use of social software sites to illustrate your points (this is where the reflection happens). Given that you have already written a broad coverage of the issues, it may be most straightforward to choose one of the sites and go into more detail with just that one rather than trying to do it for all of them (which you will not have time for).
For example, for any one of the sites, can you give any examples from your own use of the service to illustrate how you think social translucence is (or is not) achieved?
I wouldn't remove the other higher level content though--it's still interesting and will be improved if you can find similarities between the sites even though they will be discussed to different levels of detail.
--Stephen.
Social translucence is not a term I have come across, and using your reference it gives a different line of research, so thank you, and yep you beat us all, will have to send you a few extra pokes on Facebook
:-)
This was a good overview on the various social networks and how to use them. I concur with you that no one application can create the social translucence that you are discussing.
Hi Damian,
This was a very good read and I thought it was quiet interesting. I also agree with Stephen and would have liked to see you own experience described here and reflected on. I also didn't come across the social translucence before but now I know what it means :)
Cheers,
Sandra
I like most other people havent really come across social translucence, so this article has shed some light on another subject angle. Thanks for the article.
Social Translucence ay, thats an interesting one. I liked the way you managed to cover nearly all of the applications we used, yet come to the conclusion that only one is necessary to succeed in this topic.A very good read.
Good and unique focus for the article. You could have gone more personal with the overall presentation of the article. Lots of good sources, although some images of social translucency in action (or examples of it showing within the applications) would have helped. A lot more reflection on how you felt in terms of social translucence would help (rather than analysing it based on its features).
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