Quentin Jones and Sheizaf Rafaeli
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چکیده
This paper examines the importance of ‘discourse architecture’ and ‘community’ to the maintenance and growth of virtual publics. ‘Virtual publics’ are computer mediated discourse spaces created by using various technologies including email, the USENET, web based bulletin boards, IRC, MUDS, etc. It is argued that the over-emphasis to date on ‘community’ has discouraged systemic analysis of collaborative media systems. Further, it has distracted researchers’ attention away from how ‘discourse architecture’ created by the interplay of technology and content can both enable and constrain the growth of a collaborative system’s user population and participation. The paper suggests that systems-theory can be used to inform our understanding of virtual public growth. Further, we examine the genesis of virtual metropolises, where tens of thousands of individuals are engaged in public computer-mediated discourse. We suggest that an effective virtual public segmentation strategy is an essential element for those wishing to build a vibrant virtual metropolis. Segmentation strategy refers here to any systematic method used to split discourse spaces with the aim of creating a system of related virtual publics.
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Information Overload and Virtual Public Discourse Boundaries
‘Virtual publics’ are a type of computer mediated discourse space created by using various technologies including email, the USENET, web based bulletin boards, IRC, MUDS, etc. [4]. This paper outlines on-going field research into the stress zones or boundaries to interactive virtual public discourse produced by information overload. It describes initial findings based on an examination of 2.65 ...
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