Jumpstarting the information design for a community network

Abstract

This paper describes both the process and outcome of an effort to develop an information design for a community network's web site. Typically, community networks are developed by a small group of skilled computer users who are willing to volunteer their time. This often means excluding individuals who are community-oriented but not sophisticated computer users. To encourage the participation of these community members, and to do so under the very realistic conditions of zero funding for research, we applied user-centered design techniques and drew from diffusion of innovations literature to develop the web site. This combination of techniques led to targeting innovators and early adopters in the community. Low-fidelity prototypes were used in a focus group setting, and usability tests were employed to create the initial web site information design.