Thursday, May 29, 2008

Thursday, May 22, 2008

tutorial 6: the internet and online communities

Either search online for a community which interest you or choose one of the provided online communities to investigate. Make sure your selected a community that comprises some form of online forum, discussion page or chat room. You may also wish to see if your community has a Wikipedia entry.

1. Provide the web address and the name of the community you are investigating
www.womanclimbing.frezope.org "women climbing inc."

2. and!!! http://www.tramper.co.nz/

What is the brief or focus of this community

Women Climbing Inc. consists of members from all over New Zealand who share a common love of climbing. Women Climbing is a network of women into rock-climbing, mountaineering, ice-climbing and other outdoor activities.

2. This is a community-oriented information site about walking and tramping (hiking) in New Zealand.

What services are provided? How interactive is this site? How can people contribute?

1. there is an online forum which members can sign into.
the group provides many courses such as a beginners ice climbing course.
people can add to the photo gallery, and become involved in the groups activities.
but over all the site isnt very interactive, it mainly provides information and contact details about the group.

2. forum, find a track, maps, and general info. very interactive site. people can add info, photos, posts etc..

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on why people choose to contribute to this community. What is it they are seeking?

1. they are seeking other like minded women who they can then go climbing/ mountaineering with. women may be looking for others to go into the mountains with but there may not be anyone in their area so looking online is a great way to connect with people in a wider area. for me i am after someone to teach me how to use an ice axe, crampons etc.. so i found this site useful in educating me about other courses that are available.

2. i wanted to find this site because i was looking for information on a particular track, it is good to get information from more experienced trampers or people who may have done said tramp previously.

Cut and paste an example of the type of topics being discussed (you may have to provide a context to your excerpt).

1. was not able to access the forum, members only.

2. (this was posted on the notice board) "Hi, my name is Liv. I am interested in contacting someone by email or phone to find out what activities are planned so I may sign up to come along. Please let me know if there is anyone I may contact. Thanks." — lwallin 29 January 2007

Considering material presented during the course and make comment on the potential ethical issues that may arise in this community e.g. lack of identity and accountability.

both the site's forums require you to sign in which does mean there are limits although people always find ways around these if they really have that 'evil' intent. the nature of both the sites is one where people share a love of a common activity and want to help others or increase their own knowledge about the subject. so i think people would generally be pretty respectful and i dont think that too much personal info would be disclosed as the purpose is mainly to find out about activities/ tracks. just a good idea to check info and do bear in mind what info you are giving away.

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on the benefits this community holds over traditional notions of community e.g. communities reliant on geographic proximity

with an online community you are not limited in finding others with the same interests solely because of geographic location, people from all over the country or world can come together and form an online community. you are guaranteed to find more people than if you looked within your own city.

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment what this community lacks or can not provide which traditional communities can.

it lacks the "real-life" factor, you may never meet everyone in the community as its based online.