Internet message boards
An online message board is a forum where
people can discuss thoughts or ideas on various topics. Online message centers
allow users to choose which thread, or board of discussion, users would like to
read or contribute to. A user will start a discussion by making a post on a
thread. Other users who choose to respond can follow the discussion by adding
their own post to that thread. Message boards are not conversation based
because user responses do not have to take place right away. Whenever the user
revisits the message board, he/she can make a response. Unlike a conversation,
message boards do not have an instantaneous response and require that users
actively go to the site to check for responses.
Anyone can register
to participate in an online message board. A message board is unique because
people can choose to participate and be a part of the virtual community, even
if they choose not to contribute their thoughts and ideas. Registered users can
simply view the various threads or contribute if they choose to. Message boards
can also accommodate an almost infinite number of users, while the number of
users who can be accommodated by a single chat room is limited at least in
practice.
Internet users' urges
to talk to and reach out to strangers online opposes real-life encounters where
people are hesitant and often unwilling to step in to help strangers. Studies
have shown that people are more likely to intervene if they are the only one in
the situation. With Internet message boards, a user sitting at his or her
computer is the only one present in their online experience, which might have
to do with why they are more willing to reach out.
Online chat rooms
Shortly after the
rise of interest in message boards and forums, people started to want a way of
communicating with their "communities" in real time. The downside to
message boards was that people would have to wait until another user replied to
their posting, which, with people all around the world in different time
frames, could take a while. The development of online chat rooms allowed people to
talk to whoever was online at the same time they were. This way, messages were
sent and online users could immediately respond.
Chat room users
communicate through text-based messaging. Most chat room providers are similar
and include an input box, a message window, and a participant list. The input
box is where users can type their text-based message to be sent to the
providing server. The server will then transmit the message to the computers of
anyone in the chat room so that it can be displayed in the message window. The
message window allows the conversation to be tracked and usually places a time
stamp once the message is posted. There is usually a list of the users who are
currently in the room, so that people can see who is in their virtual
community.
BY PROTAS LEVINA
BAPRM 42657
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