IT revision, pages 43-49

IT revision 

Online communities 

Online communities are used frequently throughout users and businesses lives. 

Ways of communicating and interacting with online communities:

People can use a wide variety of devices in order to access online communities, such as phones, tablets, games consoles and PCs.

Social media:

Social media is used frequently across the world in businesses and with users in order to interact and communicate with other people. Sites such as Twitter and Facebook are sites which businesses predominantly use in order to engage and communicate with both staff and customers. Customers are using social media every day for personal uses and therefore are using it as an easy way to contact businesses about issues.

Blog, microblog and vlog:

• Blog - Blogs are virtual, online diaries in which users can express their thoughts and feelings surrounding a topic or discussion to inform or explain to other people. Blogs can contrast from personal experiences to news, some people earn money from their blogs and are read by millions of users. 
• Microblog - These are shorter posts than blog posts and therefore take up less storage space, they're primarily used on sites such as Twitter where long posts aren't encouraged. 
• Vlog - A vlog is nearly the same as a blog, however, users film themselves rather than producing a text file. People again will post their vlogs on social medias such as YouTube and if they're popular some people receive money.

Chatrooms:

Chat rooms are virtual rooms and meetings in which users talk to other people no matter what their location is. Examples are Google Hangouts where people can talk to friends or strangers through virtual chat rooms. However, some people use chat rooms in a negative way so they can be dangerous.

Instant messaging:

Most people often use IM, it is the most common form of online community. Some examples are Facebook, Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp and SMS. Businesses and users use IM as a way to communicate with friends, family and clients. For instance, hospitals may use it to communicate with patients regarding appointments. IM is becoming much more popular and common now rather than the use of SMS.

Podcasts:

Podcasts are audio files in which users can create or download and they provide information, debates and opinions on various topics. Users can create their own and share it with other users or listen to online podcasts or download them so they can listen to them offline. 

Forums:

A forum is a discussion or chat in which people post questions onto a page, often the questions are asking for help or an opinion in which other users will reply and help the person asking the question. Users can take part in answering questions or may ask their own. However, posting in forums can be time-consuming as there is no guarantee people will reply or give relevant answers. Some forums are closed in which users will either need to be invited or request to join.

The implications for individuals of using and accessing online communities:

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