Real communities

Once upon a time there was a company called Real Communities (now Mongoose Technologies). They did some great work identifying and promoting online communities.

All communities, on or off the web, adhere to basic principles in order to thrive. Mongoose Technology codified these tenets into the 12 Principles of Collaboration which form the sociological basis of their product design.

The 12 Principles function as a hierarchy. The chief principle, Purpose, is supported by the other 11 principles - Identity, Reputation, Governance, Communications, Groups, Environment, Boundaries, Trust, Exchange, Expression and History.