Right, I'm just going to keep to the basic points which are relivant as not to bore you with an essay style post!
CMC's, Online Communities? - When we see these sites where people interact with each other such as the global obsessions with Facebook and MySpace, it's pretty hard wether to class them as community sites. They may hold some of the characteristics the average community should have, such as discussions and interaction with each other. But at the end of the day, these sites only involve us sitting at our computer screens typing away for hours of the day or week. I'd probably classify these sites as fake communities. We don't interact the same as we would do in real life and only se these community groups are networks as an image on our profiles.
'Virtual Settlements' - In Blanchards reading on this issue, the term of virtual settlement can be seen as an important one. With Jones stating that this settlement is where we find the virtual place in which we interact. So this can be seen as an important side to out virtual communication as with out this settlement, we would have no interaction with other people. So you could say that my virtual settlement would be these networks relating to the uni and college I went to where I interact with friends I go and have been to.
A Sense Of Community? - To relate back to my first point I made, I find it hard to classify these online sites as a community. However this is only a person opinion. When related back to McMillan and Chavis theory, I can understand how we can get that sense of community. Such as the feelings of membership, influences and emotional connection.
'Lurkers' - When we think of the term 'lurking', we think those who 'stalk' other people through the net. However when we think of those who just have a quick read of people's posts or profiles, can we class they as a lurker if they don't write something back. It's a fine line issue as we all post details about us, such as favourite music, films etc. So why do we do this if we dont want people to read this material?
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ReplyDeleteWas going to RINCY it then decided to comment!!
ReplyDeleteIts true- Why put things on the Internet about yourself that you dont want people to read? I wouldnt class someone a lurker if they had a quick browse at a post or profile but I would if they were constantly returning to have a look! The term 'lurker' just sounds a bit seedy doesnt it!? what do you think about it all?
I do think the concept of 'lurkers' sounds worse than it actually is. The internet is used so people can 'browse' and 'surf' the net, therefore that's what people are doing. Obviously there are risks on the internet, linking in with the dangerous materials, maybe lurkers can be seen as bad because of the stigma attached to people using the internet to hide behind?
ReplyDeleteDon't Fbook & Myspace fit with 'virtual settlements' -whilst some of the forums on either site might make it to the level of virtual community?
ReplyDeleteAfter 5 weeks posting, commenting and lurking (despite the ease of RINCYing) do we feel like a 'NMC' community? Or is it VERY impoverished in comparison to the community of Halls of Residence last year (or was that merely a settlement?)