The Human Element in Social Networking

IEEE Software Editor in Chief Forrest Shull discusses his interviews with Ben Schneiderman on the social networking site the Nation of Neighbors and with Anne Rose on the International Children's Digital Library and lessons learned from both websites on how developers can best design social networks to award volunteer appreciation, thus ensuring continued success. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/yFG3lL6HJ38 is an audio interview of IEEE Software editor-in-chief Forrest Shull speaking with Ben Shneiderman about the Nation of Neighbors Project and lessons learned about software that supports effective social networks. The Nation of Neighbors is an ambitious program that facilitates real-time collaboration in more than 400 neighborhood communities across the United States. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/M3R4-XLBRyE is an audio interview of IEEE Software editor-in-chief Forrest Shull speaking with Anne Rose about the International Childrens Digital Library and lessons learned about supporting effective social networks. The ICDL is visited by up to 130,000 unique users per month and relies on the efforts of an impassioned network of more than 4,000 volunteers worldwide.