Communities in Cyberspace (Library Binding)

by Marc A. Smith (Editor) "Since 1993, computer networks have grabbed enormous public attention..." (more)
Key Phrases: Big Sky Telegraph, Jervay Place, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
This collection of thought-provoking essays bridges the gap between textbook and anthology as it explores several of the key issues of online community. The topics for discussion are grouped into four primary areas: determining the concept of identity in an environment where individuals cannot be seen; ordering and controlling a social environment where the tools of control are severely limited compared with those of the physical world; understanding the structure and dynamics of online communities; and using cybercommunity as the basis for collective action.

There's much here to provoke discussion, including the idea that social control in cyberspace is largely in keeping with medieval social norms, and the argument that cyberspace doesn't eliminate the consideration of racial identity but rather alters the way in which racial identify is judged (or misjudged). This is not a collection that hesitates to challenge long-standing assumptions. Editors Smith and Kollock have gathered contributions from scholars holding widely diverse viewpoints as they question both the "legitimacy" of cybercommunity and the methods of its operation. Although the authors do come to a consensus that cyberspace does house true communities, they reveal some surprises in the ways those cybercommunities differ from geographical ones. -- Elizabeth Lewis

Review
'I would recommend that people who intend to read just one book on the topic choose this one. This volume is exceptionally well-edited. Almost every chapter is easy to read.This volume provided me with an enjoyable, informative, and provocative reading ex --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 336 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415191394
• ISBN-13: 978-0415191395
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,278,462 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good resource for writers and academics, January 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Communities in Cyberspace (Paperback)

This book covers four main areas in regards to online communities: identity, social order and control, community structure and dynamics, and collective action.

Like many other texts on community, this book tends to focus on older technologies, i.e. Usenet, and MUDs/MOOs. That said, it contains a lot of good analysis done in these areas, and can provide good background for writing about online community. Note that the articles tend to be from the perspective of sociology. The strongest articles, in my opinion, were chapter 2, "Identity and deception in the virtual community," chapter 7, "Virtual communities as communities: Net surfers don't ride alone," and chapter 10, "The promise and peril of social action in cyberspace."

If you are interested in building a community or just in the ideas of online communities, this is probably not the best book for you -- it's pretty academic. Check out Jenny Preece's _Online Communities: Designing Usability, Supporting Sociability_ as an alternative.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good one for researchers, July 11, 2001

By	Raquel da Cunha Recuero "rasca" (Pelotas, RS Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Communities in Cyberspace (Paperback)

Very good articles above important aspects of virtual communities like identity, gender, sociability and other stuff written by people that really knows about the subject, famous researchers. If you are a researcher, you'll love it.

11 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lost in (cyber)space?, March 17, 2000

By	Joe (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Communities in Cyberspace (Paperback)

I was introduced to this book because my enlightened sociology prof used it as a text for our discussions of sociology and cyberspace.

Some intellectually stimulating articles, like Jodi O'Brien's discussion of gender. It was very stimulating . . . However, the book was far too focused on issues relating to North America and the West generally. What about the rest of the world?

Some sections were extremely dull. This is exciting stuff, why must people pervert it into intellectual cheeseburgers?