Great article. Very informative explanation of the new web in the 7 categories.

I don't feel so bad for not initially having a "definition" for social software.  Looking at the 34 definitions, and the various readings it seems like a moving target.  I guess in some ways it's good to not be held back by a definition. 

As for this link. You gotta love a good paywall :)

The search for a definition is *much* more important than finding one. It is not just a moving target but one that can be viewed through many valid lenses. Many moons ago I used to teach beginners about the Internet (because there were people that had not encountered it in those days) and asked a similar question of them, 'what is the Internet?' The definitive answer was actually to be found in RFC 1462 -

      * a network of networks based on the TCP/IP protocols,
      * a community of people who use and develop those networks,
      * a collection of resources that can be reached from those
        networks.

All are true, and all are indefinitely expandable and refinable. Which you choose, and which aspects you focus on, just depends on your current perspective and interests.

Nothing helps establish your geek cred more then being able to quote an RFC!  I remember in my undergrad we had to disect an IP packet using the RFC as a reference.  I was in my glory.

As for the definition of social software, its almost dynamic.  The definition is almost what it needs to be in the context that its being used.  The context establishes the definition, and the definition helps define the context.  Very circular.

Myself, I think the definition(s) are a little loose.  But it's that organic nature itself that helps move social media along.

Personally, I would concur that wordprocessing was office automation but there is another opportunity such as carrying personalized learning data (artifacts) which is really augmentation that is much more practical now. I am intrigued by the position that buzzwords have a tendency to interfere with communication. When I think about the difficulties in communicating the differences between Facebook and the Landing I can't help but wonder if marketing hype is drowning out actual communication because I consider the value generated by each of those systems to be quite different.