Report on Online communities: by Jason Thompson.

1.Some online communities.

Here is a list of some online communities that you can browse through. The first list is of those my Instructor Dr. James has provided for me and the second is a list that I have discovered.

A.Instructors list.

B.My list.

2. What are virtual online communities?

Virtual online communities are web addresses that were created by people, companies or organizations for the purpose of letting multiple people access the site at the same time to gain information, interact in chat or forums, or to create discussions and topic threads. Many sites are aimed at people with special interests like surfing, or bicycle riding, etc. Other sites are aimed at everyone with links to a multitude of options, including chats, shopping, libraries, etc. Numerous people converge on these sites for various reasons, like work, school, and leisure and in turn create what we call a Virtual Community. It has become another medium of conversation and information gathering. It can be seen as similar to conference calling but with the ability to reach people around the world at a very small price and in unlimited quantity.

3. How do virtual communities work?

Virtual communities work simply by us accessing them. They would not work if no one accesses them. So many communities try to gain many users. They can either offer a service that people want to use. Or they are centered on a topic of interest. Many communities link themselves to web pages of interest to many people. Some of these communities are like clearinghouses for information. They have links to various places where students, professionals or lay people can link to places they enjoy. Therefore this community site becomes invaluable for research and exploring of the web for many people. The main idea is to get people to access your site. The second idea is to get people to stay because they like what is there. The third step seems to be that after you get enough people you try to get a company to advertise on your site and pay you. This third step isn?t always true. Some communities make themselves restricted and can therefore make and control more stringent standards; these sites must be in demand if someone will pay to join.

4. Case history of a community

5. Would I be a member?

6. Significance of virtual communities.

The significance of online communities is that they are becoming very prevalent throughout the web. They are the easiest way to find people who have the same concerns or interests as you. I feel that they will grow substantially into separate private communities that can be occupied either by classmates as my class is doing. They can also be created and accessed by people within a boyscout club for example. Boyscouts could hold weekly meetings online across the state. I know business use this idea already in conference calling, but I feel that online conversation will increase greatly with the growing prevalence of videocams. This will inevitably be the metamorphosis in the future on aspects of the computer in our lives. We will no longer put the phone to our ear, we will inevitably click on the screen and talk face to face with loved ones and friends. I know this is possible right now, but not practical. It will be the next evolution. Right now virtual communities are similar to face to face communication only in that you can respond to each other. Body language is real important to me in conversing with others. This you cannot judge right now online, but I feel videocams will change all that.

7. Two generational reports on Virtual communities.

8. Other students in my class.

9. Conclusion.

My conclusion is that I have learned a lot about online communities. I think a great addition to the next generations projects would be to have them interview at least three people who participate in chats on these online communities, this could build up a database of information on when, where, why, and who uses online communities.