I stumbled on this while looking for something else. But it is very good, very succint and I agree with him completely. Design Principles for Online Communities - Peter Kollock
Best bit is his list of others design principles
Axelrod’s (1984) requirements for the possibility of cooperation:
- Arrange that individuals will meet each other again
- They must be able to recognize each other
- They must have information about how the other has behaved until now
Ostrom’s (1990) design principles of successful communities:
- Group boundaries are clearly defined
- Rules governing the use of collective goods are well matched to local needs and conditions
- Most individuals affected by these rules can participate in modifying the rules
- The right of community members to devise their own rules is respected by external authorities
- A system for monitoring members’ behavior exists; this monitoring is undertaken by the community members themselves
- A graduated system of sanctions is used
- Community members have access to low-cost conflict resolution mechanisms
Godwin’s (1994) principles for making virtual communities work:
- Use software that promotes good discussion
- Don’t impose a length limitation on postings
- Front-load your system with talkative, diverse people
- Let the users resolve their own disputes
- Provide institutional memory
- Promote continuity
- Be host to a particular interest group
- Provide places for children
- Confront the users with a crisis
