Online communities
What is an Online Community?
An online community is a group of people with common interests who use the Internet
(web sites, email, instant messaging, etc) to communicate, work together and pursue their
interests over time.
Social Networking Communities
What Is Social Networking?
Social networking is the use of Internet-based social media sites to stay connected with
friends, family, colleagues, customers, or clients. Social networking can have a social
purpose, a business purpose, or both, through sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and
Instagram, among others. Social networking has become a significant base for marketers
seeking to engage customers.
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The functions of Social Networking Communities
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Features that enable the function of social Networking Communities
Profile
Social profiles are a description of individuals' social characteristics that identify them on
social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
Profiles can be personalised by members and they can include:
Biographical details such as name , gender, date of birth, location and language’’
An about you or short description of the user
Details about the users work and education
Travel history
Family details such as relationship status, family members and pets.
Contact information such as telephone number, email address and website
Profile and background images, colour schemes and designs.
Main features of social media sites
Today, there are scores of social media site. They provide different services, have different
fan followings and enjoy very distinct identity. Yet, all of them share some common
characteristics. So, how do you identify them?
Here are some key features of social media sites:
# 1. Provide free web space: Members of these sites don’t need to own or share web
servers. They can publish their content on the free space provided by these sites.
# 2. Provide free web address: Members are allotted a unique web address that becomes
the web identity of an individual or a business. It can be used to identify, connect and share
content.
# 3. Ask members to build profiles: These sites require members to build their profiles.
Information entered in the profiles is used to connect friends and contacts, and build
networks that connect people with similar likes and interests across the world.
# 4. Encourage members to upload content: These sites allow members to upload text
messages, photographs, audio and video files. All posts are published in in descending order
with the last post coming first. Most important, all content is published in real time, and can
be read, viewed or shared instantly.
# 5. Allow members to build conversations: Members can browse content and comment
upon it. By doing so, social media sites allow members to engage in conversations that
increase engagement.
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# 6. Allow live chats: Several social media sites have chat clients that enable members to
chat with each other in real time.
# 7. Direct Messaging facility: Several social media sites provide direct messaging facility to
their members. This allows members to send private messages, which can be read or
viewed only by those for whom the message is intended.
# 8. Provide tagging alerts: Most social media sites alert members through e-mail or in site
notifications whenever they are tagged in a message or in a photograph.
# 9. Enable members to create unique pages: On some social media sites, members can
create theme-based pages. The pages can then be used to post articles or photographs
related to a theme. The pages can also be used to promote businesses.
Online gaming Communities
An online game is a video game that is either partially or primarily played through the
Internet or any other computer network available. ... Many online games create their own
online communities, while other games, especially social games, integrate the players'
existing real-life communities
Features that enable the function of online gaming communities
Links to social media
User profiles
Information that allows users to find out how to complete game
Experience points that can be tracked and displayed on a users profile. This enables
other users to choose to complete against other players based on their levels of
experience, making competitions more or less challenging.
Discussions boards and forums that allow members to discuss tactics
Statuses that allow users to see if other members are online.
Notifications about what I s happening in the game.
Question -Explain how playing games online can help them develop social and other skills.( 8
marks)
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