Types of Virtual Communities By Manga

Introduction The Manga Group are: - Ashleigh Banh - Danny D’Cruz - Anna Masters - Sangheon Park

Introduction Evolution – virtual communities from a historical perspective Types – defined by purpose and need Specifics – characteristics of a virtual community

Introduction “virtual communities are more than just a series of CMC messages” Jones (1997)

Evolution of Virtual Communities  Evolution of Virtual Communities : Is it because of Technology? Or Because of Demands (Reaction)?

Evolution of Virtual Communities  ARPA paper predicts emergence of virtual communities  First ‘cyber community’ made up of researchers at ARPANet CBBS (the first BBS) ARPANET 1988 IRC 1992 WWW Virtual reality and VRML MOO 1995 Groupware, 3D immersive virtual world ARPA paper predicts emergence of VC Communityware 1980 MUD Usenet

Evolution of Virtual Communities  Asynchronous, text-based communications : , BBS, Usenet  CBBS (Computerized Bulletin Board System)  electronic message-posting and file sharing network  the primary kind of online community through the 1980s and early 1990s  Usenet  collection of user-submitted notes or messages on various subjects  Form communities by subjects.  Request netiquette. FAQ’s are provided CBBS (the first BBS) ARPANET 1988 IRC 1992 WWW Virtual reality and VRML MOO 1995 Groupware, 3D immersive virtual world ARPA paper predicts emergence of VC Communityware 1980 MUD Usenet

Evolution of Virtual Communities  Synchronous, text- based communications (real time) : MUD, IRC, MOO  MUD / MOO  ongoing adventure games, educational or social  Computerized “Avatar”  some new MUDs use virtual reality settings  IRC (Internet Relay Chat) CBBS (the first BBS) ARPANET 1988 IRC 1992 WWW Virtual reality and VRML MOO 1995 Groupware, 3D immersive virtual world ARPA paper predicts emergence of VC Communityware 1980 MUD Usenet

Evolution of Virtual Communities  WWW  utilizes various existing CMC technologies ( , usenet, MUD, IRC, etc)  VRML  3D virtual space  Need a viewer or a browser plug-in CBBS (the first BBS) ARPANET 1988 IRC 1992 WWW Virtual reality and VRML MOO 1995 Groupware, 3D immersive virtual world ARPA paper predicts emergence of VC Communityware 1980 MUD Usenet

Types of Virtual Communities Two ways to categorise Networking Communities: 1. Based on technologies for group computer-mediated communication (CMC). Examples: online chat rooms, -list forums, newsgroups, shopping malls, MUD, MOO 2. Based on purpose or needs – Technology is an enabler

Types of Virtual Communities 1. communities of relationship 2. communities of fantasy 3. communities of transaction 4. communities of interest -> not mutually exclusive.

Types of Virtual Communities Communities of Relationships Purpose: To interact on certain life or personal experiences, situations or vocations Examples: illness support groups ( family groups ( ethnic groups ( Communities of Fantasy Purpose: To create and participate in imaginary environment, personalities or stories Examples: roleplaying ( sports ( video games ( one.net/gamingonline) one.net/gamingonline

Types of Virtual Communities Communities of Transactions Purpose: To facilitate buying and selling, or deliver information for purposes of a transaction Examples: - fishermans’ community centre, – specialise in fine antiques, auction and marketplace Communities of Interest Purpose: To interact on a specific topic or interest, person or groups Examples: hobbies ( politics, religion, social groups ( celebrity fan sites (

Specifics of Virtual Communities Jones “Virtual Settlement” theory 1) Minimum Level of Interactivity 2) Variety of Communicators 3) Common Public Space 4) Minimum Level of Sustained Membership

According to this definition… VC’s include the following: - Message boards - IRC Chat sites (debatable) - Videoconferencing and exclude the following: - - Newsgroups - ListServe

Comparison of Virtual Communities InteractivityCommunicator s Common Public Space Minimum Membership √√√ Chat (IRC) √√√√ Newsgroups √√√ Bulletin Boards √√√√ Database Queries / Interactions √√√ Video / Audio Conferencing √√√√

Hagel and Armstrong - Net Gain (1997) Distinctive focus Capacity to integrate content and communication Appreciation of member-generated content Access to competing publishers and vendors Commercial orientation

Differentiating Characteristics Usually no face-to-face contact Easy to maintain a history of interactions Members can assume different identities Security / Privacy is not easily maintained Virtually unlimited membership Surpasses the boundaries of time and place

Summary 1.Now a wide range of CMC technologies on the WWW. 2.The types of virtual communities can be defined by the purpose and needs of that community. 3.The specifics of a virtual community are more than just the technology that enables it.

Summary Future Directions The evolution continues … “Virtual Communities to Smart Mobs” Jennings, L (2003) New mobile technologies = New types of virtual communities?

Summary Any Questions ?

Summary Thank you for taking part in our workshop Manga Team

References Anonymous (n.d.), “Electronic Communities Communities defined..”, Available: Hagel III, J. and Armstrong, A.G. (1997), Net Gain: Expanding Markets Through Virtual Communities, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, Massachusetts. Liu G., (1999) “Virtual Community Presence in Internet Relay Chatting”, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, vol. 5, no. 1. Available: Kiesler, S. E. (1997). Culture of the Internet. Lawrence Earlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ

Reference contd. Komito, L. (1998), “The Net as a foraging society: Flexible communities”, Information Society, Apr-Jun98, Vol. 14 Issue 2, p97, 10p Jennings, L. (2003) “From Virtual Communities to Smart Mobs”, Futurist, May/Jun2003, Vol. 37 Issue 3, p6, 3p, 1bw; Jones,Q. (1997), Virtual-Communities, Virtual Settlements & Cyber- Archaeology: A Theoretical Outline, Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 3 (3) (original at Schlosser, A. (2001), “Virtual Communities” Avaliable: 3%20Virtual%20Communities.pdf

References contd. Turner, I. (1996), “Strategy in virtual communities”, Manager Update, Henley-on-Thames: Spring,. Vol. 7, Iss. 3; pg. 1, 10 pgs Cothrel, Joseph (1999), “Where we are with virtual communities: A current Benchmark”, The second international conference on virtual communities, March 25, Cronin, Kathleen, “Virtual Communities: A Brief History” Keywords definitions from