Jumpstarting the information design for a community network

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