TYPES OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
Internet message boards
An online message board is a forum where people can discuss thoughts or ideas
on various topics. Online message centers allow users to choose which thread,
or board of discussion, users would like to read or contribute to. A user will
start a discussion by making a post on a thread. Other users who choose to
respond can follow the discussion by adding their own post to that thread.
Message boards are not conversation based because user responses do not have to
take place right away. Whenever the user revisits the message board, he/she can
make a response. Unlike a conversation, message boards do not have an
instantaneous response and require that users actively go to the site to check
for responses.
Anyone can register to participate
in an online message board. A message board is unique because people can choose
to participate and be a part of the virtual community, even if they choose not
to contribute their thoughts and ideas.
Online chat rooms
Shortly after the rise of interest
in message boards and forums, people started to want a way of communicating
with their "communities" in real time. The downside to message boards
was that people would have to wait until another user replied to their posting,
which, with people all around the world in different time frames, could take a
while. The development of online chat rooms allowed people to talk to whoever was online at the
same time they were. This way, messages were sent and online users could
immediately respond.
Chat room users communicate through
text-based messaging. Most chat room providers are similar and include an input
box, a message window, and a participant list. The input box is where users can
type their text-based message to be sent to the providing server. The server
will then transmit the message to the computers of anyone in the chat room so
that it can be displayed in the message window. The message window allows the
conversation to be tracked and usually places a time stamp once the message is
posted. There is usually a list of the users who are currently in the room, so
that people can see who is in their virtual community.
Virtual worlds
Virtual worlds are the most interactive of all virtual community
forms. In this type of virtual community, people are connected by living as anavatar in a computer-based world.
Users create their own avatar character (from choosing the avatar's outfits to
designing the avatar's house) and control their character's life and
interactions with other characters in the 3-D virtual world. It is similar to a
computer game, however there is no objective for the players. A virtual world
simply gives users the opportunity to build and operate a fantasy life in the
virtual realm. Characters within the world can talk to one another and have
almost the same interactions people would have in reality. For example,
characters can socialize with one another and hold intimate relationships
online.
This type of virtual community
allows for people to not only hold conversations with others in real time, but
also to engage and interact with Business based virtual worlds also may provide
various enterprise features such as Single Sign on with third party providers,
or Content Encryption.
Social network services
Social networking
services are
the most prominent type of virtual community. They are either a website or
software platform that focuses on creating and maintaining relationships.
Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are all virtual communities. With these sites,
one often creates a profile or account, and adds friends or follow friends.
This allows people to connect and look for support using the social networking
service as a gathering place. These websites often allow for people to keep up
to date with their friends and acquaintances’ activities without making much of
an effort. On Facebook, for example, one can upload photos and videos,
chat, make friends, reconnect with old ones, and join groups or causes. All of
these functions encourage people to form a community, large or small, on the
Internet.
Specialized Information Communities
Participatory Culture
plays a large role in online and virtual communities. In Participatory Culture,
users feel that their contributions are important and that by contributing,
they are forming meaningful connections with other users. The differences
between being a producer of content on the website and being a consumer on the
website become blurred and overlap. According to Henry Jenkins,
"Members believe their contributions matter and feel some degree of social
connection with one another "(Jenkins, et al. 2005). The exchange and
consumption of information requires a degree of "digital literacy,"
such that users are able to "archive, annotate, appropriate, transform and
recirculate media content" (Jenkins). Specialized information communities
centralizes a specific group of users who are all interested in the same topic.
For example, TasteofHome.com, the website of the magazine Taste of Home,
is a specialized information community that focuses on baking and cooking. The
users contribute consumer information relating to their hobby and additionally
participate in further specialized groups and forums. Specialized Information
Communities are a place where people with similar interests can discuss and
share their experiences and interests.
BAPRM 42697
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