Knowledge Networks: The Social Software Perspective

Citation

Stuart, D. (2009), "Knowledge Networks: The Social Software Perspective", Online Information Review, Vol. 33 No. 6, pp. 1204-1205. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520911011115

Social software refers to a range of software that allows users to interact and share information, and has, understandably, become of increasing interest to a wide variety of different organisations as they look to increase learning and knowledge creation through the use of these new technologies. An authoritative reference work would be a welcome addition to the field, and is a stated goal of the Knowledge Networks' authors. Unfortunately Knowledge Networks fails to achieve this goal.

The primary aim of the book is to “promote the state of the art on Social software exploitation for Interactive Learning Environments as a milestone enabled by the evolution of Web 2.0 technologies and approaches”, and the authors' attempt to do this through 14 chapters supposedly dealing with the topic specifically, and six additional chapters dealing with related topics. Unfortunately, the collection is such an eclectic mix of pieces that it is nearly impossible to determine which are meant to be on topic, and which are merely complementary. The work is more entrenched in the world of knowledge management than social software, and for much of the book one feels that the “social software” moniker is merely an attempt to put old wine in new bottles, and this is emphasised from the very first chapter, which contains no references later than 2003.

The eclectic nature of the work means that an index is essential for the social software researcher – while there is an index, it is eccentric to say the least. For example, the foreword informs readers that it covers issues such as tagging and folksonomies, but both terms are missing from the index, whereas, bizarrely, the World of Warcraft is worthy of inclusion.

The work is of varying quality, and while some parts are better than others, and are more pertinent to the topic of social software, there is no doubt that those with merit are dulled by association. While there is always room for disagreement about the quality and inclusion of certain materials, there can be no disagreement when it comes to the quality of the finished work. The odd typo may be acceptable, but the number contained in this book is appalling. Whilst I would be tempted to suggest that parts had been neither edited nor proofread, the inclusion of an editor's note “(is this a quote?)” on page 187 would seemingly prove me wrong.

There is little to commend in this this book, with the possible exception of Chapter 13 as a proofreading exercise on a publishing course. While aimed at those “thirsty for knowledge on Social Software for Learning”, the thirsty would do better to look elsewhere.