Group Members:

Alex Rosete: http://2007.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~apr07/blog/

Shawn Reiss: http://2006.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~smr04h/blog/

Andrew McDonald : http://2007.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~agm04/wordpress/

Collaborative System Type:

Facebook.com

Characteristics of Users:

The range of users is very broad.  There are very little restrictions to join facebook, unlike the earlier days when you had to have a valid “.edu” email address to join.  Now, anyone with a valid email address can join the facebook community. 

Primary Activities:

1)      Networking

2)      Joining/creating different discussion groups

3)      Joining/creating different events  in town

4)      Using different applications (mostly mini-games)

5)      Posting what you’re doing  so your friends know

Strengths:

1)      Users have the ability to communicate with other users and expand their personal network

2)      Classmate discussions can be held in the form of a group/event

3)      The privacy settings allow you access to keeping either individual users or people not on your friends list to have access to viewing your profile

Weaknesses:

1)      Anyone with a valid email address can join facebook, even the creepy people who like to stalk people all day long

2)      The news feed broadcasts EVERYTHING you do on facebook so all your friends can keep tabs on you, unless you know to change the settings

3)      There is no compatibility option for those interested in dating

What to Improve:

We feel one area that needs improvement could be the compatibility option.  We will add a compatibility application that is only available to users who are “single” or interested in finding their match.  The application will compare the user’s profile with other similar profiles, via their personal interests (movies, music, hobbies, books, etc.) and then display the matches found.  Then, the user will have the ability to begin communication with whom they are interested.

Posted: March 4th, 2008 under Project 1.
Comments: none