Virtual+Online+Communities

toc =Definition= A virtual online community is a type of social software that allows a group of users to communicate and interact with one another through the means of information technologies, using the [|Internet], rather than face-to-face. Virtual (online) communities can also be referred to as “groups of businesses, customers or employees with common interests that interact via the Internet” (qtd. in Richardson 2005). [|Virtual communities] are also known as mediated communities and online communities.

Virtual online communities are built on the foundation of people sharing common interests in joining groups as branded individuals. These virtual online communities are mediated by the electronic communication technologies where the complete interaction takes place. The term “virtual” is indicative of the fact that it is a place without a physical place. This interaction takes place online in cyberspace. These are people who use these virtual communities for discussing topics on a regular basis.

The notion of “communities” is the reason why people join these virtual communities and become attached to them. Joining these online communities enables them to discuss hot topics and current events. They use them to access general information for example reading testimonials about products and services. There communities are known to provide a subset of the information available on the Internet for almost anything ready for a discussion. Information and knowledge are very important resources of virtual online communities. “What makes virtual communities special in this regard – as compared, for example, with traditional social groups – is the magnitude and impact of ‘weak ties,’ i.e., relationships with acquaintances or strangers to obtain useful information through online networks” (Constant, Sproull, & Kiesler, 1996).

Apart from being able to stay connected for the obvious reasons, the most compelling reason is for obtaining social support. It is the emotional fulfillment that these people receive from being part of an interconnected social network of all kinds of people. This kind of a social support gives a sense of belongingness. Their membership is highly valued and is accepted no matter who they are. People have the power to hide or reveal their identities as whatever they desire and know that they are always welcome to be a member of these communities. These communities in cyberspace can provide additional benefits that of information exchange and social support.

These virtual communities have created quite the dimension in which it allows individuals to live in ways that were never possible in real life. We can do things in real life to a certain extent, but the cyberspace allows us to lengthen those extensions and make the most of our life in cyberspace. It allows us to interact with other social beings through online virtual communities and thus provides endless opportunities for individuals to present themselves in different ways in a well-constructed environment.

People enjoy these activities through online connections and build virtual communities. These activities allow users of online communities to gather up in one place to communicate with one and another in one "space" and connect through means of social and work-related issues. People who make these online connections very well enjoy these activities.
 * Types of activities**
 * **Socializing:** meeting people, playing around, sharing jokes, swapping stories and basically taking interest in one another. Such communities mostly take place in chat rooms and focus on bulletin discussion boards. Examples include: [|Orkut], [|Facebook], [|hi5], [|electricminds]
 * **Working together:** businesses and companies use online communities to build better relationships between employees and their teams so they can keep in touch and be able to work/discuss projects together.
 * **Discussing issues:** there are a lot of communities that are out there for people to join so they can discuss important topics, share interests in issues and causes. Such communities are also known as support communities. They offer support groups dealing with similar issues, going through the same diseases, or people studying the same courses. All of these fall under the same category.

There are communities on the space for all kinds of reasons that help one become a member and an active participant. Here are a few examples: These virtual online communities have served a very good purpose for users who are online all over the world. They are informative, supportive, helpful and useful to those who are a active participants in these communities. All the elements combined of a virtual community gives the users an interactive experience to learn and share from. It is a community that can benefit those who have the ability to connect with others and be part of a group who share similar interests.
 * Types of communities**
 * [|Collaborative workgroups]: These online communities offer courses, projects and useful information. The members work with one and another and share their on-going experiences.
 * [|Family groups:] This is online community that allows keeping in touch with distant relatives who we just don't or can't call up everyday to see how they are doing. It is a great way to connect families with their histories and with one and another. It helps to empower individuals to stay connected with those who are most important to them.
 * [|Social spaces:] This is an online community that connects people through a wide social network at schools such as colleges, universities and high schools. This online directory allows students or simply members to look up people at their school, see how people know each other, and find people in their classes and groups. It's a great way to keep in contact with friends, acquaintances and get to know one and another.
 * [|Illness support groups:] These are online illness support groups who offer and provide education about their illness, personal empowerment, discussion forums where individuals can discuss their critical conditions, and communication and understanding. These support groups have been quite successful in providing benefits to improve the quality of lives of those with illnesses.
 * [|Ethnic groups:] These groups have created online communities to share the same interests, cultural values and beliefs with each other. They offer public services, support and advice, people's WebPages, an interactive section with an active discussion board, events and many other countless things.
 * [|Geographically-related groups:] Such communities target a specific geographical area, in this example it is Toronto. This is online community of Toronto singles from different nationalities and ethnic groups who would like to meet other singles living in Toronto. This community provides the ease of access to browse through thousands of profiles until one meets the right match that's suitable to them. They can chat, view profiles, and search for members.
 * [|Special Interest groups:] This is a community that consists of a subject of interest to those who join it. These communities usually have a forum where an active discussion takes place, articles to read, external related links, updated news and a variety of other things that a person may be interested in. In this example, this is an online poker community for those who love poker and online gaming.

Elements of any Virtual Online Community
1) Community Members: create a sense of ownership amongst the members – “that they have control over what the community does. 2) Community Organizer: either technically focused (ex. Personnel from an ISP) or corporate based (ex. PR officer from a company). 3) Guiding Principles: “rules and regulations by which people interact” (Richardson 2005). 4) Interactivity: ability to connect and speak with others and keeping barriers to entry low.

Types of Communities
Geographically Based Age-based Support-based (ex. AIDS support groups) Activity-based (ex. sports, books, movies, etc.)

=Examples=

Businesses Can Use Online Communities
The following is a scenario of how a business as well as its customers can benefit from online communities. A business can create a forum in which customers can engage in an interactive environment with one another. By accessing the forum website, customers can discuss the features, advantages, and benefits or complaints of the product. The company can hire a “Forum Monitor” to act as a participant in the forum and thereby provide inside scoop into what customers have to say about the product. By seeing which features of the product the customers like best, the company would be able to understand their strengths. In addition, customers can influence others (potential customers) to purchase the product as well. Therefore, businesses can take advantage of online communities and at the same time this can benefit customers.

Games Use Online Communities
A huge part of the gaming experience revolves around online communities. The Sims, a reality simulation game, has developed a large community based on it (The Sims Exchange). It brings together the community by providing downloadable game content, while also allowing the community members to interact and share their personal game content with eachother. They may exchange stories, objects, lots/houses, and so forth.

Related Wikis
Facebook Online Fandom Video Game Communities

External Related Links

 * [|Online and Virtual Communities Page]**
 * [|Online Community Toolkit]**
 * [|Online Communities]**
 * [|Identity and Deception in the virtual community]**
 * [|Virtual meeting rooms]**
 * [|Making virtual communities work]**
 * [|Growing virtual communities]**