online social communities the interaction between online and offline communities fernando garcia

Online social communitiesOnline social communitiesThe interaction between The interaction between

online and offline online and offline communitiescommunities

Fernando GarciaFernando Garcia

Presentation outlinePresentation outline

The Internet as a communication The Internet as a communication mediummedium Reasons for going onlineReasons for going online Online communitiesOnline communities

DefinitionDefinition PurposePurpose

Progression from online to offlineProgression from online to offline Reasons for then going offlineReasons for then going offline Examples of how online communities Examples of how online communities

interact with “real life”interact with “real life”

The Internet as a The Internet as a communication mediumcommunication medium

Not a “separate world”Not a “separate world” Online world doesn’t replace offline worldOnline world doesn’t replace offline world

What is the Internet being used for?What is the Internet being used for?11

EmailEmail Reading newsReading news ShoppingShopping Information about hobbiesInformation about hobbies Online bankingOnline banking Instant messagingInstant messaging Posting original content (pics, blogs, web sites)Posting original content (pics, blogs, web sites)


A tool…A tool… ““Sociologists have long known that technology Sociologists have long known that technology

by itself does not determine anything. Rather, by itself does not determine anything. Rather, people take technology and use it (or discard people take technology and use it (or discard it) in ways that its developers never dreamed.” it) in ways that its developers never dreamed.” 22

……for communicationfor communication Some communications methods heavily Some communications methods heavily

replaced (snail mail), but mostly supplementalreplaced (snail mail), but mostly supplemental55


Email and telephone use in important mattersEmail and telephone use in important matters22

Non-email users: 36 phone calls, 83 in-person meetingsNon-email users: 36 phone calls, 83 in-person meetings Email users: 41 emails, 58 phone calls, 84 in-person Email users: 41 emails, 58 phone calls, 84 in-person

meetingsmeetings Face-to-face time has not changedFace-to-face time has not changed

Despite popularity of email, 40% of internet users Despite popularity of email, 40% of internet users increase/greatly increase contact with family/friends (5.1%, increase/greatly increase contact with family/friends (5.1%, decrease) decrease) 11

In other words, the Internet is used to increase In other words, the Internet is used to increase and supplement communication, rather than and supplement communication, rather than replace older methodsreplace older methods Social/communal isolation not normally an issueSocial/communal isolation not normally an issue GamesGames

MUDs, Online games (WoW, Half-Life, etc.)MUDs, Online games (WoW, Half-Life, etc.)

Online communitiesOnline communities

Definition of “community” in reference to existing online Definition of “community” in reference to existing online debateddebated10,1110,11

Calhoun (1991)Calhoun (1991) “’“’Indirect social relationships’ in which connectivity with others is more Indirect social relationships’ in which connectivity with others is more

imagined, or parasocial, than ‘real.’”imagined, or parasocial, than ‘real.’” Oldenburg (1989)Oldenburg (1989)

““Online communities may fill a need that has been all but abandoned in Online communities may fill a need that has been all but abandoned in modern societies“modern societies“

Rheingold (1993)Rheingold (1993) “ “Intense feelings of camaraderie, empathy and support… observed Intense feelings of camaraderie, empathy and support… observed

among people in the online spaces [that were] studied”among people in the online spaces [that were] studied” Maloney-Krichmar, Preece (2005)Maloney-Krichmar, Preece (2005)

““The The peoplepeople who come together for a particular who come together for a particular purposepurpose, and who are , and who are guided by guided by policiespolicies (including norms and rules) and supported by (including norms and rules) and supported by softwaresoftware ““

Bruckman (2005)Bruckman (2005) ““[Note] the similarities and differences of each new member and [Note] the similarities and differences of each new member and

[compare] them with the characteristics of members who are regarded [compare] them with the characteristics of members who are regarded as being within the community”as being within the community”


So then what’s this presentation about?So then what’s this presentation about? Common theme: common themesCommon theme: common themes

Communities tend to share a common trait/interestCommunities tend to share a common trait/interest Persistent and constant conversation on some topic Persistent and constant conversation on some topic

between members (multiple topics happening between members (multiple topics happening simultaneously)simultaneously)

Usually initially gathered for a single purposeUsually initially gathered for a single purpose Provides purpose for going onlineProvides purpose for going online

SocializationSocialization Communities have several or many participantsCommunities have several or many participants Communities have many discussionsCommunities have many discussions


Why do communities form online?Why do communities form online?1212

Achieve goalsAchieve goals Practical, explicit (information gathering)Practical, explicit (information gathering)

““How to replace timing belt on 2.2L 93 Honda How to replace timing belt on 2.2L 93 Honda Prelude?”Prelude?”

““My GF just dumped me; how do I deal with it?”My GF just dumped me; how do I deal with it?” ““Anyone in UCSB want to play racquetball at Rec Anyone in UCSB want to play racquetball at Rec

Cen?”Cen?” Benefits inherent to community structureBenefits inherent to community structure

Social supportSocial support FriendshipFriendship Sense of belonging (common theme)Sense of belonging (common theme) Recreation (like TV, but two-way)Recreation (like TV, but two-way)


Why do communities form online?Why do communities form online? (con’t)(con’t) Easy way of fulfilling needs unmet by other Easy way of fulfilling needs unmet by other

methodsmethods Provide a centralized space for similar people to Provide a centralized space for similar people to

congregatecongregate Provide an easily-accessible space for similar people to Provide an easily-accessible space for similar people to

congregatecongregate Meet new individualsMeet new individuals Discover new interestsDiscover new interests Escape from realityEscape from reality

Enable us to enhance aspects of known offline Enable us to enhance aspects of known offline communitiescommunities

Keep in touch with distant friends/relativesKeep in touch with distant friends/relatives Share thoughts, pictures, music, notes, etc., easilyShare thoughts, pictures, music, notes, etc., easily

Online communitiesOnline communities Examples of currently existing online communitiesExamples of currently existing online communities

Special-interest bulletin boards…Special-interest bulletin boards… Politics Politics SportsSports NutritionNutrition Dating…Dating…

Multi-purpose boards/sectionsMulti-purpose boards/sections Most special-interest bulletin boards maintain “Off-topic” sectionMost special-interest bulletin boards maintain “Off-topic” section Craigslist.orgCraigslist.org IRCIRC Offtopic.com…Offtopic.com…

Socialization/information sharing/”blogs”Socialization/information sharing/”blogs” WELLWELL Myspace.comMyspace.com Xanga.comXanga.com Facebook.comFacebook.com Experts-exchange.comExperts-exchange.com Blogspot.com…Blogspot.com…


Common trends among online communitiesCommon trends among online communities33

Collection of people with similar interestsCollection of people with similar interests Centralized creation and participation (such as message Centralized creation and participation (such as message

boards, email lists)boards, email lists) Individually created and maintained (blogs, Myspace)Individually created and maintained (blogs, Myspace)

Reduced inhibitions concerning expressionReduced inhibitions concerning expression Anonymity appears to provide protectionAnonymity appears to provide protection

Shy people become more outspoken onlineShy people become more outspoken online Discussions generally considered taboo can take place Discussions generally considered taboo can take place

due to shared interest and lack of public retributiondue to shared interest and lack of public retribution Strength in numbersStrength in numbers

Trust/comprehension issuesTrust/comprehension issues New members New members

Sometimes have no formal introductionSometimes have no formal introduction Arrive unannounced, on their ownArrive unannounced, on their own


Trust/comprehension issues (con’t)Trust/comprehension issues (con’t) Text does not provide tone, expression, or Text does not provide tone, expression, or

body languagebody language Lack of context may lead to Lack of context may lead to

misunderstandingsmisunderstandings You can be very aggressive.You can be very aggressive. IMHO you can be very aggressive LOL! :-PIMHO you can be very aggressive LOL! :-P

Time between messages longer than Time between messages longer than conversationconversation

Information always there (persistent)Information always there (persistent) (Usually) constant flow of information(Usually) constant flow of information


When to continue offline?When to continue offline? Meeting one’s needs/goals offlineMeeting one’s needs/goals offline

Political activists may stage rallies/demonstrationsPolitical activists may stage rallies/demonstrations Lonely individuals may meet up with people to Lonely individuals may meet up with people to

pursue/maintain a friendship/romancepursue/maintain a friendship/romance Sports enthusiasts organize trips to/meetings at Sports enthusiasts organize trips to/meetings at

gamesgames Done if practical/worthwhile/beneficialDone if practical/worthwhile/beneficial

Traveling 10 miles to play soccer with a friendTraveling 10 miles to play soccer with a friend Traveling 100 miles to engage in a group meetingTraveling 100 miles to engage in a group meeting Traveling 1000 miles to have coffee with a future Traveling 1000 miles to have coffee with a future

spousespouse

WELLWELL

Whole Earth ‘Lectronic LinkWhole Earth ‘Lectronic Link8,98,9

One of the first popular virtual communitiesOne of the first popular virtual communities SocializationSocialization

““In the traditional community, we search through our pool of In the traditional community, we search through our pool of neighbors and professional colleagues, of acquaintances and neighbors and professional colleagues, of acquaintances and acquaintances of acquaintances, in order to find people who share acquaintances of acquaintances, in order to find people who share our values and interests… In a virtual community we can go directly our values and interests… In a virtual community we can go directly to the place where our favorite subjects are being discussed...”to the place where our favorite subjects are being discussed...”99

Instant access to information, peopleInstant access to information, people Medical advice at 11PM: faster to go online than Medical advice at 11PM: faster to go online than

calling pediatriciancalling pediatrician Parenting conferenceParenting conference

Section strictly dedicated to parentingSection strictly dedicated to parenting Face-to-face meetingFace-to-face meeting

Picnic, softball… “It was a normal American community Picnic, softball… “It was a normal American community picnic”picnic”

Became annual eventBecame annual event

NetvilleNetville

““Wired SuburbWired Suburb44” of 109 homes” of 109 homes 64 homes had broadband Internet access64 homes had broadband Internet access 45 homes went without any Internet access45 homes went without any Internet access NET-L neighborhood mailing listNET-L neighborhood mailing list

Love (or at least know) thy neighborLove (or at least know) thy neighbor Wired residents recognized 3x, talked with and visited Wired residents recognized 3x, talked with and visited

2x more neighbors than non-wired2x more neighbors than non-wired Wired residents regularly talked with 6 neighbors, non-Wired residents regularly talked with 6 neighbors, non-

wired with 3wired with 3 Internet access helps to Internet access helps to start start relationshipsrelationships

Housing developer protestHousing developer protest Dissatisfaction with homes, roads, plumbing, etc.Dissatisfaction with homes, roads, plumbing, etc. Neighborhood-level organization rapid and efficientNeighborhood-level organization rapid and efficient 50% participation vs. 20% using conventional 50% participation vs. 20% using conventional

organizationorganization Information “leaks” from those uninvolved in protestInformation “leaks” from those uninvolved in protest

Pro-Immigration RalliesPro-Immigration Rallies

Organization… how was it done?Organization… how was it done? Television, radio programs key to propogating Television, radio programs key to propogating

messagemessage Target audience more likely to watch television and Target audience more likely to watch television and

listen to radiolisten to radio The internet also spread messageThe internet also spread message

Was the first time some heard of the marchesWas the first time some heard of the marches Growing sense of support and union pushed some to Growing sense of support and union pushed some to

joinjoin Provided a forum for response and inspirationProvided a forum for response and inspiration

Not possible with television, limited public radio Not possible with television, limited public radio participationparticipation

Practical, particular details worked outPractical, particular details worked out Where to meet? Park? Eat? What to chant?Where to meet? Park? Eat? What to chant?


Organization (con’t)Organization (con’t) Increased communication made possible onlineIncreased communication made possible online

““Wear white”Wear white” ““Don’t take Mexican flags”Don’t take Mexican flags” ““Don’t do anything stupid, Don’t do anything stupid, pendejos pendejos ””

DiscussionDiscussion ““Should we really not go to school?”Should we really not go to school?” ““What message does it really send if we skip out of work?”What message does it really send if we skip out of work?”

Speed of organization greatly increasedSpeed of organization greatly increased66

Persistence of messages/information better than televisionPersistence of messages/information better than television Constant propogation across thousands of websites, email Constant propogation across thousands of websites, email

lists, forums, etc.lists, forums, etc. Discussion and size of community motivated others to joinDiscussion and size of community motivated others to join


Informal, short-but-sweet surveyInformal, short-but-sweet survey 5 individuals; average computer users5 individuals; average computer users All heard about marches online; 4 of them first heard online (1 TV)All heard about marches online; 4 of them first heard online (1 TV) Common answer to effects of online communication: Common answer to effects of online communication: motivationmotivation

Increased amounts of information increased desire to participateIncreased amounts of information increased desire to participate Researching issues, comments onlineResearching issues, comments online

Most knew people who’d sent messagesMost knew people who’d sent messages Myspace.com: “You only see their [messages] if they’re your friends.”Myspace.com: “You only see their [messages] if they’re your friends.” Worked out details of how to participateWorked out details of how to participate Those who didn’t organized with known friends (offline)Those who didn’t organized with known friends (offline)

All wary of strangers onlineAll wary of strangers online Little trust of unknown individuals who’d sent messagesLittle trust of unknown individuals who’d sent messages Little trust of unknown individuals in generalLittle trust of unknown individuals in general ““Must get to know them in person” to trust themMust get to know them in person” to trust them

SummarySummary

Online world supplements offline worldOnline world supplements offline world The most social people make online The most social people make online

communities thrivecommunities thrive77

Increase communication links to othersIncrease communication links to others Can provide specific, directed channels to Can provide specific, directed channels to

interest groupsinterest groups Online communities a microcosm of Online communities a microcosm of

real lifereal life

ReferencesReferences

1.1. World Internet Project. World Internet Project. The Digital Future Report (Year Five): USA. The Digital Future Report (Year Five): USA. http://www.worldinternetproject.nethttp://www.worldinternetproject.net 8 May 20068 May 2006

2.2. Wellman, B. Wellman, B. Connecting Community: On- and Offline Connecting Community: On- and Offline Univ. of Toronto Univ. of Toronto March 2006March 2006

3.3. Maloney-Krichmar, D.; Preece, J. Maloney-Krichmar, D.; Preece, J. Online Communities: Focusing on Online Communities: Focusing on Sociability and Usability Sociability and Usability (draft copy). Social Computing Research (draft copy). Social Computing Research http://socialcomputingresearch.net/articles/preece_onlinecommunities.phttp://socialcomputingresearch.net/articles/preece_onlinecommunities.pdf 10 March 2006df 10 March 2006

4.4. Hampton, K.; Wellman, B. Hampton, K.; Wellman, B. Neighboring in Netville: How the Internet Neighboring in Netville: How the Internet Supports Community and Social Capital in a Wired Suburb Supports Community and Social Capital in a Wired Suburb City and City and Community 2(4). 277-311 2003.Community 2(4). 277-311 2003.

5.5. Jones, S. Jones, S. The Internet Goes to College: How students are living in the The Internet Goes to College: How students are living in the future with today’s technologyfuture with today’s technology Pew Internet and American Life Project Pew Internet and American Life Project http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_College_Report.pdf 8 May 2006http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_College_Report.pdf 8 May 2006

6.6. Harrison, C.; Solis, D. Harrison, C.; Solis, D. Teens Answer the Call—and E-mailTeens Answer the Call—and E-mail http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/11742.htmlhttp://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/11742.html Government Government Innovators Network, Harvard University 8 May 2006Innovators Network, Harvard University 8 May 2006

http://www.worldinternetproject.net/

http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/11742.html

ReferencesReferences

7.7. Chan, A. Chan, A. Social Interaction Design Case Study: MySpaceSocial Interaction Design Case Study: MySpace Gravity7 Gravity7 http://www.gravity7.com/G7_SID_case_myspace_v2.pdf 8 May 2006http://www.gravity7.com/G7_SID_case_myspace_v2.pdf 8 May 2006

8.8. Salon Media Group. Salon Media Group. WELLWELL http://www.well.com 9 May 2006 http://www.well.com 9 May 2006

9.9. Rheingold, H. Rheingold, H. The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier Electronic Frontier http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/intro.htmlhttp://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/intro.html 9 9 May 2006May 2006

10.10. Maloney-Krichmar, D.; Preece, J. Maloney-Krichmar, D.; Preece, J. Online Communities: Design, Online Communities: Design, Theory, and PracticeTheory, and Practice Journal of Computer-Mediated Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(4). 2005 Communication, 10(4). 2005 http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue4/preece.htmlhttp://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue4/preece.html

11.11. Thomsen, S.; Straubharr, J.; Bolyard, D. Thomsen, S.; Straubharr, J.; Bolyard, D. Ethnomethodology and the Ethnomethodology and the study of online communities: exploring the cyber streets study of online communities: exploring the cyber streets Information Research 4(1). 1998 Information Research 4(1). 1998 http://informationr.net/ir/4-1/paper50.html http://informationr.net/ir/4-1/paper50.html

12.12. Gefen, D.; Ridings, C. Gefen, D.; Ridings, C. Virtual Community Attraction: Why People Virtual Community Attraction: Why People Hang Out OnlineHang Out Online JCMC 10(1). Article 4, November 2004 JCMC 10(1). Article 4, November 2004

online social communities the interaction between online and offline communities fernando garcia

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