Lazar, Jonathan, and Jennifer Preece. Social considerations in online communities: Usability, sociability, and success factors. na, 2002.

The concept of "online community" has gained popularity with the Internet's expansion, attracting millions to various platforms for business, support, hobbies, and more. Successfully building an online community involves more than just software; it requires careful design and consideration of how software influences community development. The dynamics of interaction, the community's purpose, member roles, and behavioral policies play crucial roles in shaping the community. The dual focus on usability—making interfaces user-friendly—and sociability—ensuring social policies align with the community's goals—can lead to thriving online communities. Research in online communities spans multiple disciplines, including Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, and more, underscoring the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of creating successful online spaces.