1. IACT303 – INTI 2005 World Wide Networking Electronic Communities University of Wollongong

2. Definitions “..community is a collective of kinship networks which share common geographical territory, a common history and a shared value system, usually rooted in a common religion” Weinreich

3. Many Definitions “Virtual Community has become synonymous with various forms of group-CMC, including Email-list forums, chat sessions such as IRC, MUDs and MOOS, web based discussion areas and Usenet news- groups”. Hof,, Browder, Elstron

4. Many Definitions “Virtual Community as Computer Mediated space where there is an integration of content and communication with an emphasis on member-generated content.” Armstrong & Hagel

5. Definitions continued “Virtual Communities are social aggregates that emerge from the net when enough people carry on those public discussion long enough with sufficient human feeling to form webs of personal relationships in cyberspace.” Rheingold “

6. Community Network A subset of virtual community …and a potential extension to commercial domain

7. History Notion of community heart of the Internet Virtual communities now comprise groups of organisations seeking to gain commercial advantage by combining their efforts in a market undertaking. Serving need for communication, information, entertainment (e.g.. see www.well.com)

8. Business has been slow… Business has been slow to utilise the unique community-building capabilities. Amazon.com is an exception Most communities not business oriented and some strongly oppose the notion Serve multiple social and commercial needs

9. Electronic Communities Meet 4 kinds of needs – communities of Transactions – communities of Interest – communities of Fantasy – communities of Relationships

10. Communities of Transactions Buying and selling - eBay Deliver information Interaction for purpose of a transaction Visitor may want to consult another customer Organiser may be a community (not necessarily a business)

11. Communities of Interest One another Focus on a specific interest –Garden club, car club, Motley Fool high level of interpersonal communication

12. Communities of Fantasy Create new environments, personalities or stories (ESPNet, Internet based sport community - create your own sports team) Marginalised people are able to escape stereotypes of local community

13. Communities of Relationships Certain life experiences –Mental health –Cancer forum Share personal experiences

14. Communities are Not mutually exclusive Consumer shopping seeks advice from Community of interest transaction and interest (wine buffs) Most communties target one activity –e.g.. Parents Place, Travel Community

15. Creating Values in Communities Create communities that satisfy both relational and transactional needs – reap the benefits – customer loyalty – insights into customer need – better customer service

16. Utilising the community building capabilities of the Internet Create Value in 4 ways: – usage fees (America On-line) – content fees – revenue form transactions and advertising – synergies (working together to generate business)

17. For your Project You need to decide: – type of community – objectives of your site ….in relation to community objectives – functions – design features critical to the functionality of the site

18. For your Project Function v Features Function – broad requirement e.g online shopping Feature – specific requirement e.g. shopping cart

19. References Armstrong, A & Hagel III, J., The Real Value of ON-Line Communities, Harvard Business Review, May-June 96, 134-141 Fernback, J. and Thompson, B., Virtual Communities: Abort, Retry, Failure?, http:/www.well.com/user/hlm/texts/Vccivil.html/, 7/9 Jones,Q., Virtual-Communities, Virtual Settlements & Cyber-Archaeology: A Theoretical Outline, http:/ascusc.org/jcmc/vol13/I Hof, R.D., Browder,S., Elstron.P., Internet Communities:How They’re Shaping Electronic Commerce, Busiiness Week European Edition, May 5, 97, 38-47 Rheingold, H., The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the electronic frontier, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1993 Rheingold, H., ‘A Slice of life in my Virtual Community’, In High Noon on the Electronic Frontier, edited by Peter Ludlow MIT, Cambridge, 1996 Weinreich, F.l, Establishing a point of view towards virtual communities, Computer-Mediated Communications, 3, (2) 97. (http.//www.december.com/cmc/mag/1997/feb/w ein/html)