Users and MyOpera - Operas use of social media as tools in technology development

Abstract

The focus is on the role of users in the development of Opera Software’s technology, and I aim to analyze how communication and interaction happen through social media, with focus on the MyOpera community. MyOpera has evolved from a technical community to become a social media arena. This opens up for new types of users joining MyOpera. Social media arenas facilitate new ways of interacting, and I look at how this can enable tightened relations between the users and Opera, and how the boundaries between their roles as users and developers might change.

The thesis investigate whether user contributions can lead to innovation, and how feedback and interaction also can be seen as incremental innovations. The theoretical framework includes theorists such as Akrich, Oudshoorn, Latour, and von Hippel. I use ethnographic methodology with participant observations of MyOpera.

Keywords: Users - technology development - social media - ANT - co-construction - user-centered innovation