Making Personal Networks with a Computer: Lessons from the Field using Vennmaker

Vennmaker software was created as a tool for actor-centered and interactive networks. It has many options that users can implement at different stages of their studies. Documentation is available showing how to use it technically and the steps to follow for its correct use. However, less has been documented about the experience of using it in fieldwork to establish personal networks, a gap which this article aims to fill. This article combines the experiences of doing fieldwork using Vennmaker in two very different contexts and research designs. It concentrates on its advantages and disadvantages, as well as its usefulness in learning, while also sharing some useful information for those who are planning to use it in future research.