Carey, the Ning concept or framework may work for Alpha as well.

I notice the Ning does indeed provide Wiki access to its members, so I think this seals it as being almost complete on the social network tool scene (it doesn't, thank goodness, Twitter or Tweet or make any other bird nattering noises). I don't know how many of you have used a wiki before but it is a powerful tool for collaboration on a common goal - I'm not sure about opening it to all members right away, but I honestly think that the PDOR interface could benefit from having a Wiki like structure to their interactive inquiry approach - I find it difficult and sometimes circular to follow comments at that site whereas in a wiki things can be tiered and organized into a main menu system with separate page links- must be my librarian brain trying to classify everything at PDOR and I just can't get a handle on it.

Laura