Virtuose, a VIRTual community open source engine for integrating civic networks and digital cities

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of digital cities in Italy from 1994 to the present and then shows how this became the basis for the design principles of Virtuose. Virtuose may be termed communityware. It was conceived specifically for managing (local) virtual communities and drew inspiration from social as well as technological design concepts, using an open-environment philosophy. Virtuose's basic requirements and its essential design and implementation choices are presented, and a pragmatic example of its application is given. The paper also provides a specific description of how the messaging structure supports both publication and dialog. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.