Dear K-Loggers,

A new form of software has quickly arrived on the scene that will compliment our
efforts with Weblogs. It's called Social Networking software. You can see
examples of this at Friendster and LinkedIn.

http://www.friendster.com (more of a dating system)
http://www.linkedin.com (more corporate)


These systems enable people to connect with each other based on the idea that
everyone in the world is connected to everyone else with six degrees of
separtation. When a member joins, they are asked to connect to members they
know (ask them to accept you as a contact) and ask contacts you know to join as
members. The net result is a complex network of connections that span all
members. As a member, you are entitled to search the system (based on company
affiliation, name, etc.) of other members. This allows you to request a contact
with them (they in turn can look up information on you).

Versions of this type of system can be set up on a private intranet where
external contacts (at companies that represent sales opportunities, at partner
companies, etc.) are entered into the system. This would allow a sales person
to find a contact inside the company that had an external relationship with a
person in another company (perhaps even the CEO) they needed a way into.

This type of system gets really interesting when combined with K-Logs (KM
weblogs) on Intranets. A system like this should make it possible to post a
social networking module on an employee weblog. NOTE: weblogs have several
specific areas in the format that allow customization. The header, which is
usually the name of the person and organizatonal logo. The left and right sides
which can include a blogroll module (a list of easily editable links to
important resources) and other items. A social networking module would include
the number of contact links the owner has in the system and a search form to
search the entire system or the owners link list. A link should bring you to a
page that lists their contacts.

This combo provides the best of both worlds. A system where it is possible to
find out what the owner is working on (a weblog that lists what is on their
mind, how you can help them, or how they can help you) and who they know (a
social networking system that includes their open contacts).

The first thing you should look for in selecting a social networking system
(they are quickly evolving) that runs on your Intranet is how open it is to
integration with weblogs. One way to do this is through the weblet modules I
mentioned, slightly modified RSS (or the emerging FOAF -- friend of a friend),
and the ability to publish from a weblog into the system (the MetaWeblog API
publishing standard).

http://www.xmlrpc.com/metaWeblogApi

The integration of these systems ensures that as we continue to develop K-logs
there isn't a multiplication of editing screens, display UIs, and proprietary
methods.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

John Robb
http://jrobb.mindplex.org

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