Blogger is run by google and provides a templates for a personal blog. It has the technology to allow you to attach photos, videos, post blog and create links to other sites or blogs. There are access controls to allow you to control who can read and write to your blog and group blogs are possible. Blogger profiles allow you to find people that share your interests. Mobile blogger lets you send photos and text straight to you blog from your phone (only available in the US).
Another blog host is BlogoMonster
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Real communities
There are various technological negative issues around the use of online communities. They are:
Misuse
Technological compatibility
Who sustains, monitors and regulates the community
Is the information valid (not such an issue in this case - books are very subjective)
Communication limited to posting comments.
(Sunderland, 2008)
In addition to these issues, online communities may start to take over from the real community for some individuals. This over reliance can mean withdrawal from the social interaction with people in their area.
Misuse
Technological compatibility
Who sustains, monitors and regulates the community
Is the information valid (not such an issue in this case - books are very subjective)
Communication limited to posting comments.
(Sunderland, 2008)
In addition to these issues, online communities may start to take over from the real community for some individuals. This over reliance can mean withdrawal from the social interaction with people in their area.
Benefits of online communities
They can provide large amounts of information
They can provide connections over great distances instantly
They provide the means to connect with people of similar interests/needs/ concerns
They can help to promote understanding and a sense of community
They can allow silent participation before active involvement
They are usually free
They offer individuals a way to be heard without discrimination
If monitored well then users can be regulated
(Sunderland, 2008)
They can provide connections over great distances instantly
They provide the means to connect with people of similar interests/needs/ concerns
They can help to promote understanding and a sense of community
They can allow silent participation before active involvement
They are usually free
They offer individuals a way to be heard without discrimination
If monitored well then users can be regulated
(Sunderland, 2008)
Ethical issues
Book crossing requires you to give an email address and password to log in. These details are not displayed on the site, only your user name is given and the information you give in your profile. Some people choose to add their picture whilst others do not. I chose not to include any personal information in my introductory note so I can remain anonymous. Tracking books across the globe does not pose too many ethical issues although littering was discussed in one online forum. Members can be passive and just view conversations of others or can get more actively involved and join discussion groups.
Topics up for discussion
This person is trying to read and release books with Authors beginning with every letter of the alphabet. Others have posted their lists too.
A- Mark Abley: Spoken Here: Travels Among Threatened Languages
B-
C- Susanna Clarke: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
D- Nicholas Drayson: Confessing a Murder
E-
F- Thomas Frank: What's the Matter with Kansas?
G- Michael Gruber: The Book of Air and Shadows
H- Daoud Hari: The Translator
I- Kazuo Ishiguro- Never Let Me Go
J-
K- Nikos Kazantzakis: The Last Temptation
L-
M-
N- Irene Nemirovsky: Suite Francaise
O-
P- Pramoedya Ananata Toer: All That is Gone
Q-
R-
S- Ian Sansom: The Case of the Missing Books
T-
U-
V-
W-
X-
Y-
Z-
A- Mark Abley: Spoken Here: Travels Among Threatened Languages
B-
C- Susanna Clarke: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
D- Nicholas Drayson: Confessing a Murder
E-
F- Thomas Frank: What's the Matter with Kansas?
G- Michael Gruber: The Book of Air and Shadows
H- Daoud Hari: The Translator
I- Kazuo Ishiguro- Never Let Me Go
J-
K- Nikos Kazantzakis: The Last Temptation
L-
M-
N- Irene Nemirovsky: Suite Francaise
O-
P- Pramoedya Ananata Toer: All That is Gone
Q-
R-
S- Ian Sansom: The Case of the Missing Books
T-
U-
V-
W-
X-
Y-
Z-
Why why why?
I have joined book crossing because I love reading and love the idea of sharing books with others. I also enjoy talking about good books with other bookworms. The idea of sending a book on a journey across the world is an incredible idea and a real demonstration of the power of the world wide web (although it should be noted that this idea originally started by people leaving books with notes in them and just hoping). Through the internet it is now possible to follow the journey of the book. People are seeking interaction with others with similar interests. Members may want to contribute to this site to share information with others.
Online communities
http://www.bookcrossing.com
This community is about sharing books across the world. Members enter the ISBN number of the book onto the website and then release the book 'into the wild'. On the website the release details of the book are entered and in this way the book can be tracked on it's journey. The chosen book is left at a book crossing point (the nearest to us in Dunedin is the museum reserve) with a label inside giving brief details of the book crossing concept and website address. Hopefully somebody picks up the book, reads it and then repeats the process - releasing it again into the wild. You can track the journey of your book across the globe.
On this site you can make friends, search for books, track your book, enter a message on one of the many forums that cover everything from book crossing challenges to book wish lists. Newsletter and book crossing conventions are also detailed. The site is very interactive and new members are encouraged to write a short introduction message.
This community is about sharing books across the world. Members enter the ISBN number of the book onto the website and then release the book 'into the wild'. On the website the release details of the book are entered and in this way the book can be tracked on it's journey. The chosen book is left at a book crossing point (the nearest to us in Dunedin is the museum reserve) with a label inside giving brief details of the book crossing concept and website address. Hopefully somebody picks up the book, reads it and then repeats the process - releasing it again into the wild. You can track the journey of your book across the globe.
On this site you can make friends, search for books, track your book, enter a message on one of the many forums that cover everything from book crossing challenges to book wish lists. Newsletter and book crossing conventions are also detailed. The site is very interactive and new members are encouraged to write a short introduction message.
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