I highlight an excellent introductory guide to social network analysis from Semantic Studios. It explores how mapping relationships between people and organizations reveals hidden structures in information architecture and digital communities.
I explore how social network analysis is applied through an interview with InFlow's creators. For my own SNA projects, I have used a combination of Perl scripts and Excel rather than dedicated software.
I watched The Social Network and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I appreciated the realistic Perl code and fast-paced dialogue, ultimately finding personal connections to Mark Zuckerberg's character despite my initial jealousy.
Use network-tools.com to trace data paths, identify computer locations, and look up WHOIS registration details. The site provides web-based utilities for traceroute, DNS lookups, and network diagnostics to see exactly how information travels across the internet.
I found that the Internet operates as a scale-free network, characterized by a few highly connected hubs and many poorly connected nodes. This topological structure explains why the network is robust against random failures but vulnerable to targeted attacks.
I highlight a Xerox PARC article examining the social role of documents in the New Economy. It argues that documents are active agents in building communities and facilitating communication, rather than just static information containers.