== My Page ==
Lisa Hitchcock
My name is Lisa Hitchcock n4850467
I am studying Media and Communication.
Please send any mail to: lm.hitchcock@student.qut.edu.au
--Lisa Hitchcock 12:42, 26 Jul 2005 (EST)
== ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ==
Batra, M. (2005) “How Online Networks Benefit Us�? Knight Ridder Tribune Business News April 15, 2005, p1.
This article acts as a brief introduction and explanation of the various ways that online communities are utilised by users.
It explains that online communities can be used on a large variety of different levels such as:
This article also describes the 3 main types of online communities. These are
A small selection of websites that directly use Online Communities are given.
--Lisa Hitchcock 08:50, 5 Aug 2005 (EST)
Cockburn, T. (2005) “New Information communication technologies and the development of a children’s community�? Oxford University Press and Community Development Journal Vol 40 No 3 July 2005 pp. 329–342
This article discusses the relationship between ICT’s and children. Using Raymond Willams’ concept about communities and how they form as ‘communities of interest’, this article delves into the various different problems and solutions that may arise from the growing trend in children’s virtual communities. The article discusses how and why children use online chat rooms and other community building forums, for example:
Websites (with current links) referenced include:
This article also discusses the varying degrees of ‘girl’ uses in comparison to boys and the uses that they make of ICT’s. Websites referenced include:
--Lisa Hitchcock 08:51, 9 Aug 2005 (EST)
Conhaim, W. 2005. “Getting to Know You Online�? Information Today Vol. 22, No 7, pp31-32.
This article discusses the large variety of virtual communities in society today and discusses areas such as history, social networks, software, privacy and their appeal. Firstly, it discusses how these groups are formed, eg through shared interests, network building and information gathering, just to name a few.
This article explains social networks in depth and describes the different types of social networks that exist:
Next, the article delves in weblogs, such as social software weblog, which is a meta-list of links to social networking sites. It explains how and why this software works. It explains that users can develop their own uses for sites such as these to find the information or community that they want or need.
Next the article concentrates on the privacy issues related to virtual communities and their affiliated websites, and discusses some of the ways that particular sites are trying to combat privacy issues.
Finally the article deliberates the appeal of such social networking communities and the different demographics that use these networks and states that the people that gain the most are people who are dependant on having many contacts and being at the forefront of the latest developments.
Websites that are included:
--Lisa Hitchcock 17:55, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)
Fichter, D. (2005) “The Many Forms of E-collaboration: Blogs, Wikis, Portals, Groupware, Discussion Boards and Instant Messaging�? Online Vol 29, no 4, pp. 48-50.
This article discusses the many different forms of E-collaboration that can be employed in a work place environment. It discusses in depth the technical issues and everyday, practical uses that are important to take into account when considering starting up E-collaboration.
E-collaboration is explained as an important form of Virtual Communities.
E-Collaboration formats discussed
This articles describes how to choose the best form of E-collaboration for a variety of different businesses, areas of discussion include ‘When you need an online collaborative tool’ ‘Knowing your environment’ and ‘Defining your requirements’.
--Lisa Hitchcock 12:56, 5 Aug 2005 (EST)
Garber, D. 2004. “Growing Virtual Communities�? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning August, 2004, pg1.
This article begins by discussing multiple meanings of community and comes to the conclusion that a community is “comprises people who share something in common; who interact with each other in a physical space or through a shared identity; who are committed to the community through regular participation (to varying degrees); and who show reciprocity and trust.�? (pg1-2). It explains that communities are formed through culture, value and context, as well as shared experiences.
This article focuses on online communities that are based around learning. Initially it describes the 5 main phases of learning that are facilitated through online communities:
It then goes on to explain the importance of these communities to online students and how it enables them to be involved in a safe space where they can collaborate with other online students. It explains the ways that online collaboration has assisted these students. The article then moves on to describe students who have no desire to become a part of an online learning community.
The article then goes on to explain the life-cycle of an online learning community. The life-cycle contains the following components:
In conclusion the article notes that to create a productive online learning community it must initiate participation, communication and interaction from its users.
--Lisa Hitchcock 17:28, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)
Joinson, A.N. (2003) “Sharing and Surfing: The Benefits of On-line Communities and Web Browsing�?, in Understanding the Psychology of Internet Behaviour: Virtual Worlds, Real Lives New York: MacMillan, pp. 143-162.
As the title of this chapter suggests, it discusses the benefits of online communities. The chapter primarily focuses on the use of online communities for 3 different purposes; networking and collaborating, emotional support and improving quality of life.
Firstly, it looks at online communities as a means of networking and collaborating. It discusses the theory of “weak ties�?, which is very similar in theory to “six degrees of separation�?, i.e. the ability for one user to gain a wider and more detailed range of information by sending out a request to a broader field (weak ties) rather than just to their immediate contacts.
Secondly, it discusses online communities as a mean for emotional support for people who have a disability, disease or a life-threatening illness. It explains that electronic communities are made up with a mixture of empathic and information communication and that this type of communication has many benefits for its users. Some of these benefits include:
It also briefly considers the problems associated with legitimacy and authority in an online community environment.
Thirdly, this chapter discusses the motivations behind people who seek support online and explains that one major motivation is related to quality of life. It uses a case study to depict the experiences had by many online users. Some of the ways that online users can improve their lifestyle is by:
This article describes the positive aspects of online communities but still manages to address some of the negative aspects. In the conclusion it explains that some of the more negative aspects are a result of the freedom of the Internet, which shows the main paradox, as the freedom of the Internet makes it such a good forum for online communities. And then explains that if regulatory practices are put into force to eliminate the negative aspects, the online environment will change for the worse.
--Lisa Hitchcock 14:09, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)
Kladko, B. (2004) “Instant Messaging Grows in Popularity with Adult Online Community�? Knight Ridder Tribune Business News October 20, 2004, p1.
This is a brief article that explains how IM (Instant Messaging) is gaining popularity with an older demographic then what is typically thought of as IM’s main users. It gives statistics to back up this information and also includes statistics of how and when this demographic is using instant messaging.
--Lisa Hitchcock 09:04, 5 Aug 2005 (EST)
Lee, E. (2004) “New ‘Social Networking’ sites help land jobs in San Francisco Bay area" Knight Ridder Tribune Business News September 17 , 2004, p1.
This is an article that discusses online communities that are being used as a ‘social networking’ tool. This article focuses on online communities that help users network with other users to help find employment.
The websites use the theory of ‘six degrees of separation’ to create these networks. Websites like these have strict privacy policies that only connect a user to the next person in the ‘link’ that will network the original user to the next person in the ‘link’. At any stage of the process a ‘link’ may choose to refuse to discontinue the networking process.
It also briefly explains how companies are turning the process around and are starting to use these networks to find new staff members who fit their criteria.
Social Networking sites that are mentioned in this article:
--Lisa Hitchcock 09:54, 5 Aug 2005 (EST)
Nelson, D. (2004) “Online Communities help finds new home for ‘junk’ items�? Knight Ridder Tribune Business News October 3, 2004, p1.
Freecycle is a website which is based around an online community. This article explains how this site works. Freecycle is a forum where people who wish to dispose of items can post that item for other people to express interest in; this website basis is ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. This is a site that develops local communities; Brisbane even has a site [1].
This article explains how this website originated (the aim was for less rubbish in landfills) and delves into the nature of virtual communities that come together for a bigger cause.
--Lisa Hitchcock 12:13, 5 Aug 2005 (EST)
Takahashi, D. (2004) “Journalist Reports on Life in 3-D Online Community of ‘Second Life�? Knight Ridder Tribune Business News April,26 , 2004, p1.
This is a fascinating article about a journalist who writes articles for a site where users can create there own virtual world and interact within this world with other users. This website is called Second Life. Second life is an online 3-D space that is completely created by and evolves at the discretion of its users. Second Life users can create and become anything they like.
What is most interesting about this journalist, is that he doesn’t write about the users but about the events that take place inside the virtual world of Second Life. His articles are published in an online blog [http:// secondlife.blogs.com/nwn/] that all users can read inside the virtual world. He is also an avid user and can create his own stories for articles that he writes.
This article provides a remarkable example of online communities and how they are evolving.
--Lisa Hitchcock 09:33, 5 Aug 2005 (EST)
