Online communities defined
Broadly defined, online communities refer groups of individuals who form a community based on a common interest or theme; and choose to interact predominately via online means, i.e. the Internet, email and other forms of virtual communication.
Online communities explained
Online communities are continuing to dominate the communications industry in the 21st century. We, as media and communications consumers, rely thoroughly on the ease of use and quick transactions modern media has to offer. The revolution of Web 2.0 can be assigned partial credibility for this new phenomenon. Due to the fact that Web 2.0 creates a sphere where online interaction, creation and innovation are paramount, the need for real life, human interaction is rapidly diminishing. Flew (2004) discusses the importance of online communities arguing they allow consumers the chance to play, innovate and create.
The induction of Web 2.0 has seen the rising of several, no well-established, online ventures. MySpace, Facebook and Youtube are all online communities which thrive on the idea that virtual interaction is not only essential, fueling the debate that user-led content is soon set to dominate the communications industry. Flew (2004) outlines three primary differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 which can be attributed to the growing mass of online communities.
The number of users worldwide has increased significantly and the diversity of these users, geographically, culturally and socially, has escalated beyond expectation.
The nature of who uses the Internet, why they use it and how they use is has dramatically changed. An important factor in the new Internet revolution is the link to schooling systems making online interaction unavoidable in the education department. Another important feature is the ease of use of the Internet with facilities becoming available in Internet cafes, libraries and realistically, in the majority of homes throughout Australia.
The integration of online activities has become far less tangible over time and far more integrated into everyday activities. The use of the Internet, through email services and other online software, continues to dominate the business sector creating an efficient and corporate means of communication.
How do online communities organize themselves?
There are a number of features in online communities that make it unique and more enhanced than real life communities. Most notably is the fact that online communities are not restricted to geographical barriers. Individuals can be members of several online communities and the desire to join a community can be based on personal interest, professional interest or blatant curiosity. As can be seen in Dibben (2007), most people initially feel they will gain some benefit from being a member of an online community. This fuels the desire for individuals to participate in online activities and as a result builds the mass of online contributors playing a part in this online revolution.
Broadly defined, online communities refer groups of individuals who form a community based on a common interest or theme; and choose to interact predominately via online means, i.e. the Internet, email and other forms of virtual communication.
Online communities explained
Online communities are continuing to dominate the communications industry in the 21st century. We, as media and communications consumers, rely thoroughly on the ease of use and quick transactions modern media has to offer. The revolution of Web 2.0 can be assigned partial credibility for this new phenomenon. Due to the fact that Web 2.0 creates a sphere where online interaction, creation and innovation are paramount, the need for real life, human interaction is rapidly diminishing. Flew (2004) discusses the importance of online communities arguing they allow consumers the chance to play, innovate and create.
The induction of Web 2.0 has seen the rising of several, no well-established, online ventures. MySpace, Facebook and Youtube are all online communities which thrive on the idea that virtual interaction is not only essential, fueling the debate that user-led content is soon set to dominate the communications industry. Flew (2004) outlines three primary differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 which can be attributed to the growing mass of online communities.
The number of users worldwide has increased significantly and the diversity of these users, geographically, culturally and socially, has escalated beyond expectation.
The nature of who uses the Internet, why they use it and how they use is has dramatically changed. An important factor in the new Internet revolution is the link to schooling systems making online interaction unavoidable in the education department. Another important feature is the ease of use of the Internet with facilities becoming available in Internet cafes, libraries and realistically, in the majority of homes throughout Australia.
The integration of online activities has become far less tangible over time and far more integrated into everyday activities. The use of the Internet, through email services and other online software, continues to dominate the business sector creating an efficient and corporate means of communication.
How do online communities organize themselves?
There are a number of features in online communities that make it unique and more enhanced than real life communities. Most notably is the fact that online communities are not restricted to geographical barriers. Individuals can be members of several online communities and the desire to join a community can be based on personal interest, professional interest or blatant curiosity. As can be seen in Dibben (2007), most people initially feel they will gain some benefit from being a member of an online community. This fuels the desire for individuals to participate in online activities and as a result builds the mass of online contributors playing a part in this online revolution.
References
Google Images. 2008. http://images.google.com.au/images?q=facebook&gbv=2&hl=en. Accessed 22 April, 2008.
Flew, T. 2004. Virtual Cultures. New media: an introduction. Retrieved 22 April, 2008 from Queensland University of Technology Course Materials Database. https://qutvirtual.qut.edu.au/portal/pls/portal/olt_material_search_p?p_unit_code=KCB201
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