Joy MoorePublisher Society Journals

Beta Site Use in Beta Site Use in

Live TestingLive Testingof social

software

New Features

User-generatedContent

UserFeedback

Beta Phase Developme

nt

Are web 2.0 projectsnecessarily in a state of

“perpetual beta”?

When does this cycle end?

Experience with Beta Web 2.0 ProjectsConnotea

Nature Protocols

Nature Network

Connotea

Social bookmarking for scientists

First social networking project for NPG, launched December 2004.

Experimental beginningsTwo Weeks + One Freelancer =

Connotea: Spreading the wordViral Marketing, contacted friends

First six months no marketing campaigns

As user base grew, the project evolved from their feedback

your references with others new leads

During second year post launch, online poll (survey monkey) established. Prize offered as incentive.

Mailing list for questions, suggestions and discussion established. During the beta phase this list was quite active.

Connotea: Tapping into user needsCommunity wiki established for users to

post tips and tricks, requested features, or problems encountered.

Connotea: User-driven adaptationProblem:

Usability, origin from a single developer sorely felt

Response:

Usability expert consulted who assessed user response and reported on it to NPG

New team person hired in web publishing who specializes in establishing user interfaces

Video tutorials posted and interface overhaul

Improving Usabilitythrough the

User Interface

Open Source• Code available for people who want to see how

Connotea handles their data, to write plug-ins to expand the number of sources that Connotea read, or to set up their own social bookmarking service.

Connotea: Encouraging Innovation

Connotea Web API• Allows programmers to develop applications that

read from, and post to, the Connotea database.

Connotea: Encouraging Innovation

Connotea: Novel User ContributionsUsers have greatly contributed to Connotea, adding

their own applets or submitting code to enhance its functionality

Here are a few of the tools users have developed:Connotea search within FirefoxAttach PDFs to your bookmarksAdd a five star rating control to your bookmarks"Add to Connotea" button next to PubMed resultsMove your recent Del.icio.us bookmarks to

Connotea

Connotea: Lessons Learned

Usability is key: involvement of people outside of the technical end

Need for marketing campaigns—viral marketing is insufficient

Innovation is critical to set it apart from existing social software sites like del.ic.ious

Good experience in how to develop web applications and we brought that knowledge to other NPG projects.

Nature Protocols Peer reviewed publication meets social network, allowing

scientists to comment on existing protocols and post their own

Launched in July 2006

Nature Protocols: Collective IntelligenceProtocols network takes advantage of the read-

write capabilities of Web 2.0A dynamic protocols resource: users can share

tips on protocols keeping them more up-to-date and relevant than a conventional print publication would

Nature Protocols: DevelopmentNew concept and technology: had to build an

entirely new author submission and commenting tool in Movable Type.

Modest feedback, users did request new features such as the ability to place tables / figures into the text and to upload attachment files (Word, Excel and PDF)

Nature Protocols: Lessons and FutureEnabled us to learn more about how our readers

make use of Web 2.0 functionality so that beneficial elements can be adopted elsewhere

Plans for Nature Methods and other journals to incorporate this commenting software on their sites

Collaboration with Nature Network Nature Protocols Discussion Forum

Nature Network BostonLocal social networking portal for

scientistsLaunched in June 2006

Nature Network: Global Shift

First launch included functionality for news, blogs, events, and groups

While planning for discussion forums changed focus away from local network(s) to a global network with local channels: Nature Network Global

Launch of Nature Network Boston

NNB Jobs Launch

Launch of Nature Network Global

Launch of Nature Network London

Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

Oct

Dec

Nov

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Launch of v. 1.1

Introduction of group notices

July through October

Bug fixes, planning of discussion forums and

jobs section

Nature Network Development

User FriendlyWith the redesign and launch of Nature Network Global more user friendly features were introduced:

•Revamped navigation•FAQ page•Helper text•Screencast•Newcomer group and forums

Nature Network: User Focused

Nature Network: User FocusedAccessibleVarious resources available to users who need help, have suggestions, or want to contribute to Nature Network

• Newcomer Group

• What’s Wrong / What’s Next Forums

• Editor’s Blog

• Email

Nature Network: User FocusedResponsiveUsers have a direct impact on what changes are planned

• DOI / PubMed ID # for entering publications

• Improved Blogging Software

• Messaging System

• Future Localities

• Registration Light

Request through forums Addressed in later updates

1 group starter

10 active participants

100 USERS

1%

Nature Network: User OutreachOutreach needed to maximize the contributions of our user base:

• Lab visits, pub nights, presentations to science groups, conference tables (BIO 2007)

• Marketing: web and print• Fostering community through the active recruitment of

bloggers and one-on-one meetings with group organizers

Joy Moorej.moore@boston.nature.com

+1 617 475 9237