Online Virtual Community

An online virtual community can provide connection and recreation opportunities to avid Internet users. Online communities have been popular since their inception in the mid 1990's. Websites that are geared toward forging connections and aiding communication among physically separated participants provide the gathering places for this kind of activity. Whether the central attraction of the community is based on social or business concerns, the ability to connect via the world wide web has proven to be a valuable advantage. The possibilities of reaching out as well as hearing back from potential friends is appealing to many participants. Some of these communities may center on a specific hobby or interest while others may simply be social in nature. But the power to gather and commune, even through electronic means touches on a very central human need. The benefits of communities of this nature can be many. Not only can participants exchange valuable information and build connections, opportunities to interact through various forums and blogs as well as online games, polls, and quizzes will often attract multitudes of visitors to a popular social networking website. However, with all of the positives, there can be negatives. There is no way to assure that fellow participants are behaving in honorable ways. While the Internet certainly offers many connection possibilities, the ability to mislead and misrepresent is also widespread. An awareness of this fact, along with following a few rules of Internet safety can help to make participating in an online virtual community a positive experience. Of course, the level of both participation and enjoyment is largely up to the individual user and the effort and attitude that they choose to adopt.



The reasons for becoming part of an online virtual community can vary. For some, socialization is the top priority. When this is the case, account holders may create a personal profile page that reflects their own basic biographical information along with photographs and other graphic elements. A list of friends who also participate on a particular site may be featured on this profile page along with an area for friends to post comments and send messages. Social networking websites may also offer chat rooms, bulletin boards, and forums to users. Companies may also wish to create communities via the Internet to augment any work or projects that require the collaboration of various employees. Online work groups can be very helpful in creating efficient employee teams. Community groups can also connect via the Internet. Local sports teams and their boosters can communicate more efficiently through the use of an online virtual community. Schools systems may also wish to take advantage of this technology to keep staff and personnel well connected and informed. Those interested in a specific topic might also enjoy the connectivity tools that the web offers. Websites that center on certain subjects such as politics, shared experiences, religious matters or hobbies abound on the world wide web. Relationship websites specialize in helping participants seek out and become acquainted with potential romantic partners are available as well. As with sites that are simply platonic in nature, these sites present opportunities to take advantage of various profiles, chat rooms, emails, and forums. Such communities offer many connection possibilities.



Creating an online virtual community will require focus and planning. What is the basic purpose that will drive the website? Does the site have a specific goal in mind? What kind of web traffic will feel at home in this community? There are a number of different kinds of tools that can be utilized to provide opportunities for interaction within these communities. Selecting and implementing these tools is an important part of building an online virtual community. The structure of the site as well as the best way to facilitate communication are also important concerns. Once the site has been built, the webmaster must set about the task of drawing web traffic to the site and fostering communication among these visitors. Participants in these communities will usually operate at a variety of levels. Peripheral users will simply visit the site from time to time. They may not participate in any kind of chat room or forum, but simply observe the activity that is taking place. Some visitors may never move beyond this point. But there will be some who take the next step and cautiously enter into a discussion here and there. Regular users will have overcome any shyness and will interact with other users and contribute to the community on a steady basis.



Many participants will turn to an online virtual community to enjoy a sense of recreation and fun. In addition to valuable information and interaction with other participants, many websites offer games that members can play with each other. While the Internet is famous for the entertainment possibilities that it offers to users, online communities can provide entertainment value as well. These communities draw in many participants out of purely recreational motives. According to the Bible, God is a source of strength and protection for believers. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10)



Leaders of an online virtual community will most likely be participants as well. Generally, leaders will not take the aloof approach of the overseer, but will join in the communication. Of course, if the identity of the leader is known, as is frequently the case, this member's contributions will merit special note. At the same time, it is the leader's responsibility to monitor activity and make any necessary corrections. What ever role a participant might take, connecting via these communities can be very gratifying.