Graalians - View Single Post

Imprint · 05-16-2014

1) In your opinion, what is an online community?
A group of people communicating over the internet.

2) Where do you think the first online community was formed?
MIT

3) do you believe online communities display social patterns similar or differing from real life communities? Why?
No, but it depends on varying levels of anonymity. In a community where communication is comepletely anonymous people will inevitably end up doing things they would not in real life because they aren't faced with consequences. Even on a forum like Graalians, where people have usernames, people say things they would not in real life because of a lack of real world consequence. The form of communication that most closely mimics how people act in the real world would probably be voice/video chat.

4) do you believe online communities are safe?
Online communities are as safe as the user makes them. If one keeps all their personal information private can be difficult to find them. Obviously if someone took the time and effort to track a person they could, but generally the work is not worth it for the average user.

5) what characteristics make up a good online community? What keeps you hooked?
Positive discussion, variety in opinions, friendly people. The same things that make a good community in the real world.

6) what do you think are characteristics that make a good community and a bad one?
Read above.

7) do these communities form fast or slow? Can anyone create a working community?
Communities generally form from a common interest, so as long as the interest is there, and the market isn't super saturated with groups already, then its viable for anyone to start a community.

05-16-2014	4
Imprint Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,992	1) In your opinion, what is an online community? A group of people communicating over the internet. 2) Where do you think the first online community was formed? MIT 3) do you believe online communities display social patterns similar or differing from real life communities? Why? No, but it depends on varying levels of anonymity. In a community where communication is comepletely anonymous people will inevitably end up doing things they would not in real life because they aren't faced with consequences. Even on a forum like Graalians, where people have usernames, people say things they would not in real life because of a lack of real world consequence. The form of communication that most closely mimics how people act in the real world would probably be voice/video chat. 4) do you believe online communities are safe? Online communities are as safe as the user makes them. If one keeps all their personal information private can be difficult to find them. Obviously if someone took the time and effort to track a person they could, but generally the work is not worth it for the average user. 5) what characteristics make up a good online community? What keeps you hooked? Positive discussion, variety in opinions, friendly people. The same things that make a good community in the real world. 6) what do you think are characteristics that make a good community and a bad one? Read above. 7) do these communities form fast or slow? Can anyone create a working community? Communities generally form from a common interest, so as long as the interest is there, and the market isn't super saturated with groups already, then its viable for anyone to start a community.