Социальные сети давно и активно используются в частной практике пользователей Сети. Я не очень активно, но все же использую LinkedIn. А вот в корпоративном мире мне, например, до сих пор не приходилось наблюдать их в действии, хотя на работе люди решают те же самые задачи, что и в "быту":

• Поиск экспертов и знаний через знакомых в организации
• Обмен знаниями и совместная работа

В предверии выхода новой версии SharePoint в Microsoft разработана программа Knowledge Network for SharePoint Server 2007, которая пока пребывает в состоянии первой беты и работает ТОЛЬКО с АНГЛИЙСКИМ языком на английских версиях Windows XP/.Net 2.0, Outlook и SharePoint.

Тем не менее это очень интересное развитие идеи построения своей социальной сети внутри и вне места своей работы, реализованное на стыке разных технологий Microsoft: SharePoint My Site, Windows Search, Office.

Зачем это нужно и как оно работает подробно описано в блоге продуктовой группы.

Как загрузить?

The KN download is available to customers taking part in the SharePoint 2007 Beta 2. KN is a separate download. If you already have access to SharePoint 2007 Beta 2 on the Microsoft Betaplace site, then you also have access to KN.

If you do have this access, once you get to the main page on Microsoft Betaplace, you can follow the link for Knowledge Network that can be found by following the “Other Files” link under the “Beta Downloads” node in left navigation bar. From here you can follow the instructions to download the actual files for the KN software and associated KN documentation.

If you don’t have access to SharePoint 2007 Beta 2 on the Microsoft Betaplace site, then you won’t be able to access and use KN yet. We will update information about broader KN availability in the coming months.

Как работает?

Microsoft Knowledge Network Version 1.0 ("Knowledge Network") is social networking software for business users that helps you collaborate more effectively with your co-workers by automating the way knowledge and relationships are shared.

To provide this service, Knowledge Network needs to understand what knowledge and relationships you are willing to share. Knowledge Network gathers this information by using the e-mail on your computer to compile recommended content for your user profile, which includes keywords and key contacts to describe the work you do and your contacts inside and outside the company.

As a default, Knowledge Network will analyze all of your e-mail folders. If you do not wish Knowledge Network to analyze certain e-mail folders for use in recommending your user profile, you must deselect the folder(s) in the Information Sources Wizard.

The Knowledge Network profile that is generated by this analysis is divided into three lists: Colleagues, External Contacts, and Keywords. You can specify whether an item in a list is included in your profile by placing a checkmark next to the item in the Approved column. To exclude an item from your profile, remove the checkmark and the item will be designated as a Deleted item. Deleted items will not be published to the Knowledge Network server.

Whenever an item is included in your profile, it can appear in anyone’s search results; but your connection to that item will only be visible to those you specified in the Show To column. There are five (5) visibility groups in the Show To column. In order of increasing visibility, they are: Only Me, My Manager, My Workgroup, My Colleagues, Everyone. By default, all of the keywords and contacts recommended by Knowledge Network are included in your profile (items have a checkmark) and available for browsing by all other Knowledge Network users (Show To is set to Everyone). If you want a recommended item to be excluded from your profile, or if you want only specific users to be able to see your connection to an item, you must manually set this in the Approved and Show To columns.

Your profile is kept on your local PC until you have reviewed your recommended profile, designated each of the keywords and contacts Knowledge Network has recommended to be included or excluded from your profile, and agreed to publish Approved items to the Knowledge Network server.

Knowledge Network will periodically analyze your e-mail folders to generate suggested updates to your profile. Knowledge Network will send you an e-mail that prompts you to review and approve (or reject) newly recommended keywords and contacts before updating your profile.

Knowledge Network does not (1) copy, share, or otherwise move your local e-mail (whole or in part) to any other computer or drive; or (2) associate you with any specific e-mail.

Collection and Use of Your Information

Knowledge Network collects profile items (keywords and contacts) from e-mails, calendar entries, tasks, and notes in your primary e-mail account and in any locally stored PST files.

Knowledge Network collects detailed contact information (names, e-mail addresses, and aliases) from e-mail To, From, and CC fields. Knowledge Network collects and stores the following information about e-mail: time and date of e-mail messages; frequency of e-mails to and from specific contacts; keywords included in e-mails. Knowledge Network also uses the Global Address List to access basic contact information such as title and department for your profile.

Knowledge Network uses the data listed above to create and maintain your user profile, which includes the following elements: (1) keywords from e-mail that are used to describe your interests and areas of expertise; (2) contacts and communication patterns from e-mail that are used to describe your social network.

Knowledge Network can also be used by system administrators to create reports based on aggregations of users’ public profile information.

Using a separate data collection process, the Knowledge Network system also collects anonymous information about how users interact with specific features and functions of the product. This data is used by the Knowledge Network team to improve the product and the user experience.