Online Community Analysis

* After defining the original definition of online communities, Johnston updates the term by stating, "Today, online communities aren't bounded by virtual geography any more than they are by physical geography, and they emerge and transform and disperse in ways that are confounding to understand, even more so to influence" (p. 20). What does the author mean by this statement?
The author is saying that virtual geography has no influence on online communities. There is no set virtual locations where people can communicate with others who have the same ideas. Taking the example from the text, news can be spread more quickly than before. A reputable news source can be late in producing news, while users of social media can quickly disperse the
What are the four elements? In your opinion, what is the most important element for an online community?
The four elements of community as stated by McMillan and Chavis are membership, influence, integration and fulfillment of needs, and shared emotional connection. I personally think that respect and interconnection are the most important element of any community, whether online or otherwise. Communities usually have similar ideas and views, but when certain members have alternate views there's still respect for that person's ideas. Each person of a community has a special relationship to the next as well as the community as a
After the formation of these sites that had more of an emphasis on friendship, the mood shifted from forming new relationships to fostering existing friendships. Now knowing the history of the internet and online communities, I agree because I definitely feel like social media today is about maintaining and enhancing relationships already held and not necessarily trying to create new ones.

* What are the four conditions of an online community described by Quentin Jones? Is anything missing from the definition?
The four conditions of an online community are that it must be interactive, it must have more than two participants, it must incorporate a common/public space in which its members can meet, and it must provide for sustained membership over time. Although it may not be a requirement, I believe an online community should have a common interest. Adding to the common/public space aspect, this online community is often regulated and users must follow set guidelines.

* What do you think is meant by an the term, imagined