Case Study

Experts Online is a free service provided to members of the Networks Online group. Networks Online is a grouping of voluntary sector networks and projects which have added their own ‘extranet’ (shared and private online spaces) to an existing extranet run by the charity ruralnet|uk. Members maintain their own private online areas for their membership. Uses include: holding a shared archive of key documents or templates; a list of members and descriptions of their work; interactive discussion areas. Members of Networks Online also share free services and expertise within online forums that every member network can see and use, and to which everyone can contribute.

Experts Online is one of these shared areas. It consists of a set of forums covering different themes of interest to the voluntary sector, such as business planning and community engagement. One such area is the Computers & Communications Forum.

Any member of a participating network may ask as many questions as they wish, browse the questions and answers generated by others, and answer questions posed by others. However, as speedy answers from peers cannot always be guaranteed, the forums are monitored by 'experts' - practitioners who can draw on their own experience and knowledge. They also keep the forums tidy and raise points of interest. 'Experts' may receive fees or quid-pro-quo benefits for their contribution.

Participating networks include ruralnet|online (the Rural Development Community); CAN Online (Community Action Network of Social Entrepreneurs); Direct Support (UK Online Centres) and many others. A charge is levied by ruralnet|uk’s trading arm to establish and maintain access to the extranet, but once within the shared areas services are free. Regardless of who staffs which forum, and who asks a question, all members benefit. Templates, tools and sample applications can be offered and shared, and are held in Knowledge Banks.