A Wiki That Knows Where It Is Being Used: Social Hazard or Social Service?

This study assesses reactions to a wiki enhanced with context-aware features that enable users to learn about people, places, and events in their proximity. In a physically compact enclave such as the urban university in which this wiki is being implemented, context-aware applications can support a hybrid community in which individuals develop and sustain physical and virtual social ties. Participants in this study were first-time users. They were given a guided tour of the wiki and then their impressions, concerns and intention to use were elicited through a semi-structured interview. Participants were enthusiastic about the prospects of the wiki in assisting them in learning about events and interesting places on campus, and in exchanging information. However, they were concerned about issues such as privacy, accuracy, and the potential for intentional misuse of the system. Privacy concerns were based primarily on a misconception of the location-aware feature of the wiki. These findings can guide designers and implementers on the desirable and possibly undesirable features of such a system.