User:Abbie19555

''' Online Communities '''

 About online communities:  An online community, also called an internet community, is a virtual community whose members interact with each other primarily via the Internet. For many, online communities may feel like home, consisting of a "family of invisible friends".[1] Those who wish to be a part of an online community usually have to become a member via a specific site and necessarily need an internet connection. An online community can act as an information system where members can post, comment on discussions, give advice or collaborate. Commonly, people communicate through social networking sites, chat rooms, forums, e-mail lists and discussion boards. People may also join online communities through video games, blogs and virtual worlds.

 Social Networking sites:  A social networking service (also social networking site, or SNS or social media) is an online platform which people use to build social networks or social relations with other people who share similar personal or career interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections.

The social networks are distributed across various computer networks. The social networks are inherently computer networks, linking people, organization, and knowledge.

 Instant messaging:  instant messaging provides a way to exchange textual messages as an alternative to the telephone and at a fraction of the cost. As messages are sent in real time, responses can be received instantaneously. However instant messaging does have its disadvantages: Emotions are better expressed in person and can sometimes be miscommunicated within an instant message that is sent quickly. Viruses can be spread by instant messaging.