What are the seven Building Blocks of Social Software? Explain.

by

The seven building blocks of social software are a framework proposed by Gene Smith in his book “Tagging: People-Powered Metadata for the Social Web”. These building blocks describe the core functionalities and features that enable social interaction and collaboration in software applications. They are particularly relevant for designing social media platforms, collaborative tools, and community-driven websites.

The Seven Building Blocks of Social Software are:

1. Identity

  • Definition: Identity refers to how users represent themselves in a social software system.
  • Key Features:
    • User profiles with personal information (e.g., name, photo, bio).
    • Unique identifiers (e.g., usernames, email addresses).
    • Customization options (e.g., profile themes, avatars).
  • Purpose:
    • Helps users establish their individuality and authenticity.
    • Enables others to recognize and interact with them.

2. Presence

  • Definition: Presence indicates whether a user is currently active or available on the platform.
  • Key Features:
    • Status indicators (e.g., online, offline, busy).
    • Activity feeds showing recent actions (e.g., “User X is typing…”).
    • Location-based presence (e.g., “User Y is nearby”).
  • Purpose:
    • Facilitates real-time interaction and collaboration.
    • Helps users decide when and how to engage with others.

3. Relationships

  • Definition: Relationships define how users are connected to each other in the system.
  • Key Features:
    • Friend lists, followers, or connections.
    • Relationship types (e.g., friends, colleagues, family).
    • Privacy settings to control who can see connections.
  • Purpose:
    • Establishes social networks and trust among users.
    • Enables targeted communication and content sharing.

4. Conversations

  • Definition: Conversations are the interactions and communications between users.
  • Key Features:
    • Commenting, messaging, and chat systems.
    • Threaded discussions or forums.
    • Notifications for replies or mentions.
  • Purpose:
    • Facilitates dialogue and collaboration.
    • Encourages community engagement and knowledge sharing.

5. Groups

  • Definition: Groups are collections of users who share common interests or goals.
  • Key Features:
    • Public or private groups.
    • Group-specific discussions, events, or content.
    • Roles and permissions within groups (e.g., admin, member).
  • Purpose:
    • Enables users to organize around shared interests.
    • Fosters a sense of community and belonging.

6. Reputation

  • Definition: Reputation reflects the standing or credibility of a user within the community.
  • Key Features:
    • Ratings, reviews, or upvotes/downvotes.
    • Badges or achievements for contributions.
    • Leaderboards or rankings.
  • Purpose:
    • Encourages positive behavior and contributions.
    • Helps users identify trusted or influential members.

7. Sharing

  • Definition: Sharing refers to the exchange of content, resources, or information among users.
  • Key Features:
    • Content upload and distribution (e.g., photos, videos, documents).
    • Social sharing buttons (e.g., “Share on Facebook”).
    • Collaborative tools (e.g., Google Docs, shared calendars).
  • Purpose:
    • Facilitates the spread of information and ideas.
    • Encourages collaboration and collective knowledge building.

How the Building Blocks Work Together

These building blocks are interconnected and often overlap in social software applications. For example:

  • Identity and Presence enable users to recognize and interact with each other.
  • Relationships and Groups help users form communities and networks.
  • Conversations and Sharing facilitate communication and collaboration.
  • Reputation incentivizes positive contributions and builds trust within the community.

Examples of Social Software Using These Building Blocks

  1. Facebook:
    • Identity: User profiles.
    • Presence: Online status and activity indicators.
    • Relationships: Friends and followers.
    • Conversations: Comments, messages, and posts.
    • Groups: Public and private groups.
    • Reputation: Likes, reactions, and shares.
    • Sharing: Photos, videos, and links.
  2. LinkedIn:
    • Identity: Professional profiles.
    • Presence: Activity feeds and “Who’s Viewed Your Profile.”
    • Relationships: Connections and endorsements.
    • Conversations: InMail and comments on posts.
    • Groups: Industry-specific groups.
    • Reputation: Recommendations and skill endorsements.
    • Sharing: Articles, job postings, and updates.
  3. Slack:
    • Identity: User profiles with roles.
    • Presence: Online/offline status.
    • Relationships: Team members and channels.
    • Conversations: Threaded messages and direct chats.
    • Groups: Public and private channels.
    • Reputation: Reactions and mentions.
    • Sharing: Files, links, and integrations.

Conclusion

The seven building blocks of social software provide a comprehensive framework for designing and analyzing social platforms.

By incorporating Identity, Presence, Relationships, Conversations, Groups, Reputation, and Sharing, developers can create engaging, collaborative, and community-driven applications. These building blocks are essential for fostering user interaction, building trust, and enabling meaningful connections in social software.

Leave a Comment