Virtual Communities

A community is made up of people communicating and sharing a common interest. A virtual community is simply a community in which people communicate and share a common interest, without meeting physically. They are freed from the constraints of location and time with the help of computer networks and technology. They are also known [Page 473]as cyber-communities, online communities, electronic communities, and e-groups.

There are several types of virtual communities, including communities of practice or professional communities, learning communities, communities of hobby or interest, and communities of friends. Members of communities usually use groupware or communityware (software that facilitates group sharing, communication, and coordination) and the Internet to share information and ideas with other like-minded individuals.