Online Social Communities

sgx.saint

Hello All.

I am currently sat in my University working on an assignment regarding online social communities. I have been sat here stairing at the monitor, researching journals and so forth. I am currently trying to put down in simple bullet points, the benefits of being part of an online social community.

... Then it struck me!!! ...I am part of the MSE Online Social Community, so I thought to myself, why not ask the MSE online community what they think the benefits are? ... at the end of the day, you guys and girls make up the community, and therefore should be fully qualified to answer the question

So if you dont mind helping me with my assignment ..... put down in bullet points simply, what you think the benefits are of being part of an online social community. (Not specifically MSE btw).

Thanks

Saint :beer:

Verbatim

OK to start us off how about
1. Anonymity
2. Availability 24/7 (well almost)
3. No need to leave home....V. useful for anyone with mobility issues of any sort

mintymoneysaver

1) often useful to have nobody know the real you
2) Impartial advice
3) come across people from walks of life that you would never normally come across

steve700

Advice on recommended (and avoid at all costs) products/services
E.G. I'm a member of the Subaru Impreza Forums, and therefore know, from other drivers/owners, what are the best disc to buy for the brakes, which dealers are not 'the best' with their Customer Service, etc


Camaraderie of people with a common interest/goals

Variety of occupations providing help/advice on subjects other than the Forum (Frugality, in this case)


Negatives

---

Posts can often be misinterpreted much more easily than through a face-to-face conversation. When somebody makes an innocent comment, it can be taken as sarcasm, criticism, etc by the reader.

sgx.saint

Thanks peeps, keep them coming

Also, have a think about the negative aspects too....

Snaggles

Don't know if this is the sort of thing you were looking for but my initial thoughts were:

Anonimity makes it easier to be very open about areas of your life you wouldnt normally discuss.

You can log on at any time, there's often someone around even at 3.30am. Even your best 'real life' friend might balk at a phone call to discuss your finances in the early hours.

You don't have to get dressed, brush your hair etc to chat to your mates or to total strangers. You never have to feel that you are too fat/ugly etc, because no-one will know!

There is a large pool of experience/knowledge to draw on, which might not necessarily be present in your own group of friends (your friends are often from similar walks of life, and have similar interests, whereas online communities bring together people who share a particular interest, but are not necessarily similar to you in other ways).

Snaggles

Sorry, cross posted with about 3 people there!

Snaggles

Negatives:

Nothing beats a REAL hug!

Your online friends may be miles away and can't necessarily pop round with a box of tissues when you're upset, or meet you at the pub for a drink when you want to celebrate.

If you post a question, you are opening it up to people you don't know, so can get a wide range of differing opinions. This can be a good thing, but you also need to bear in mind you could get negative reactions or harsh words as well (whereas your real life friends may be more likely to try and spare your feelings).

You can't see peoples facial expressions or hear the tone of their voice, so it can be easy to misinterpret posts.

Bogof_Babe

I belong to a private MSN group of eight, who started off as total strangers (broke away from another website because it wasn't meeting our needs).

I have to say that these people are now my very best friends, and know me better than my own family. It's the first place I go when I log in every day, and we know we can count on eachother for support in every aspect of our lives. A lot of it is daily gossip, but we are always there for eachother in times of crisis. It really does help. They have got me through two family illnesses and subsequent bereavements in the last few months - I would have gone to pieces several times without their support and words of encouragement.

We have now had several Meets in real life, and keep in touch by text and email as well if one person is unwell or having a problem. We have met eachother's partners and children, and are now planning a group holiday abroad in 2008.

That's the other side of the coin from the previous comments. Anonymity is not part of the deal, just mutual support and lasting and valuable friendships.

OneSpike

Hello. I belong to a fantastic group (well apart from this one!) who like a pp broke away from a much bigger site to pursue our interests in earnest. I only have so much time in the day so atm this site is taking more of my time, but I feel very well known and liked there as it's been a feature of my life for so long, so I make sure I keep a toe in.

For me the benefits of an interest-based group are:

• you can bang on as much as you like about your chosen subject because you know they're just as obsessed as you
• people have the choice whether to reply to your posts - if you're boring a friend to tears over a problem or issue it's hard for them to get away!
• like email, you write when it suits you and people read if/when it suits them

For myself, I've felt much more able to be explicitly honest with online friends about some family problems we've had rather than all our local friends knowing how bad the step-situation can get. I can really vent when things get too much, whereas my 'real' friends might be a bit startled by my vehemence. Having said all that, my best friend lives just a few doors away and I'd swap all the online friends in the world for her! Sometimes you do need a real person who's right there.

richardvc

There are huge benefits of being part of an online community. In this one some of the benefits are -

1. Talking to people who have had / are having similar experiences to your own and understand the practical side and the emotional side
2. Ability to ask any question anonymously and without fear of ridicule (well not much anyway!)
3. A powerful voice that may be able to change things ie all for one and one for all - we are also an economic community
4. 24 hour access from home / work etc
5. Sharing a pool of knowledge and experience
6. People actually caring about what happens and providing great support to eachother in either commiseration or celebration
7. A chance for an individual to contribute 'for the greater good' and actually make a difference to other people
8. Help lazy students complete their assignments !! (pleased to help really !)

I hope this is useful to you.