ShareCenter is a platform that -

• enables the easy sharing of skills, expertise, and resources, allowing for the organic growth of a resource/skills repository.
• builds community through social networking and other features
• facilitates collaborative work via independently created and controlled workspaces.

Most if not all features can be managed by ‘super users’ through web interfaces, rather than technical staff working on software.  Privacy controls are configurable, and group owners can easily control viewing rights and document access.

Features include:

1. Systems to make and respond to requests

E.g. Submit a request for expertise using a particular piece of equipment, allowing users to respond either with a resource (uploaded “How-To” guide) or comment that initiates a phone conversation to share information.

2. Multiple ways of categorizing information.  Content can be categorized by both ‘free tagging’ (i.e. user-driven categorization) and formal hierarchies (as many ontologies/taxonomies as you want!)

3. Subscriptions and Notifications  Subscribe to as many or as few content-types you are interested in and get notified when there are updates in those areas.  E.g. Send me an update only when someone uploads a resource that’s categorized as a “Best Practices Document” 

4. Easy search and access  Find content easily using multiple search and sort options.

5. Team based workspaces  Allow users to create groups and workspaces that serve their unique needs.  Users can decide whether they want their groups to be public or private, how people can join the group, etc.  All user-controlled with no need for technical administrator.

6. Social networking  Use Facebook-like functionality to ‘connect’ with colleagues you know or who share your interests.  Make it easy for others to learn more about you.  Follow the activities of people you’re interested in (for instance, get updated anytime your mentor posts a comment or resource)

7. A variety of interactive methods to incentivize sharing of resources, ideas, expertise, skills, etc.

E.g. Use automated features that track ‘most downloaded resource’, ‘most active user’, etc.  Allows users to quickly show appreciation for quality resources without having to write comments   (similar to what can be found on Facebook).