Virtual communities (where people are brought together
via the Internet)
A virtual community is a social
network of individuals who interact through specific social media,
potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue
mutual interests or goals. Online message centres allow users to choose which
thread, or board of discussion, users would like to read or contribute to. With the access of the internet many different types of communities have developed, where people can share information about certain subjects, like things people are interested in. 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. 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. These communities are great just to quickly pick up bits of information, and get more involved on the internet. The only problem is, that being on the internet with these communities can be very influential, and can sometimes put across bad views on things and make you believe things that aren't true. 
What types of virtual communities will develop with technology in the future?
ReplyDeleteAlthough virtual communities can provide instant Reponses, I believe that through the lack of need to send letters, virtual communities are contributing to a decline in the need for a post service.
ReplyDeleteAs good and as beneficial as virtual communities can be are you not worried of the sometimes lack of knowledge of who you're talking to depending on the type of group or community you're in?
ReplyDeleteI feel you could also include how sometimes through the use of rerouting and other technological gizmo's some of these communities in the shady areas of the internet can perform some quite serious crimes without being traced.
ReplyDeleteHarvey's comment is valid as if the post office is in decline then what will happen to the in the future. if the virtual; communities are to continue to grow then the post service may end up not being profitable in the near future, which in turn will lead it to close. as well as this bad point the lack of knowledge you are talking to can also be of putting for some people to take part in virtual communities.
ReplyDelete