My class recently covered a module on social software, focusing a bit on the Web 2.0 resources that are available to promote communication, collaboration, and hopefully build social capital.
Today in my professor's blog, I posted a couple entries looking at the social software uses related to the tragedy in Blacksburg. In my first entry I wrote "Wikipedia Articles on Tragedy at VA Tech" reporting how an entry on the Virginia Tech Massacres is already in Wikipedia and how a "spur" article was started on VA Tech President Charles Steger.
The second entry looks at how important the Web, blogs, and Facebook have been to VA Tech students, parents, friends and family members. See "More About VA Tech and Social Nature of Tools."
If you are looking for examples of how these tools can have a valuable place in building social capital, I think these are worthy examples.
You beat the NYT to it! I am sure you have seen this article in the NYT.
Micaela