Building SCIENAR, a virtual community of artists and scientists: usability testing for system improvement

In the last years, the rapid expansion of new technologies application favoured the arising of new models for online groups aggregation, such as Virtual Communities, Social Networks and Collaboration Tools. This chapter provides an overview about the developing process adopted in creating SCIENAR virtual community, a social network capable to strengthen the role of the “artistic-scientific” community in the production of new science and new art. In particular, the key role played by the usability evaluation has been highlighted in implementing a product for different final users, to bring out potentialities and eventual critical areas.