Users, Networks and Structures

Heya all, im Daniel.
Im originally from Wellington and now am doing my 2nd year down in cold Dunedin.


Well i find this blog business a bit daunting as I have never kept one before and will most certainly be learning as I go. The closest thing I can relate to blogging that ive kept is the infamous bebo, and even when it comes to that im not exactly technically savvy.


Anyhow,
though it was a while ago now and isn't as fresh in my mind as I would like, the concept of users, networks and structures are all intertwined. After the lecture I began to think of the question "who am I online?" and analyse myself as a user. There was a quote in the lecture notes by Kollock and Smith which described how how online interaction strips away the cues and signals that are usual and I thought crucial with face-to-face interactions. Because these visible cues and signals are not apparent with online interaction, Kollock and Smith describe how it provides room to play with one's identity. This made me think of the fore mentioned bebo. I use bebo to stay in touch with friends in wellington and such, so with bebo I dont play around with my identity but with somethingh like youtube.com or other online virtual communities there are many users who create a alter ego or completely different persona in order to perhaps see themselves as they would like to be or maybe even how they wouldnt like to be. And though I never considered myself as a part of a virtual community, now realise that im actually apart of many. Whether it be maintaining my bebo account by keeping in contact with mates that I actually know and can put a face to a name or by posting comments anonymously on videos on youtube.com. All these actions not only keep me apart of whichever virtual community but help maintain the structure and keep the community running effectively.

I think ive written enough for now but if anything pops into my mind il jump back on and add it.