Tutorial Six: The Internet and Online Communities.

Now let's have a look at online communities. These are websites where people interact with each other. There are so many different online communities that cover every topic under the sun. There are support groups and interest groups and groups to share and increase knowledge. The sites I have chosen to look at are interest communities related to Jane Austen. Now this may seem totally unrelated to Occupational Therapy but reading  is something that many people would consider a meaningful occupation and as occupational therapists we look at meaningful occupations that people undertake. I personally love to read Austen and have found it fascinating that there are whole sites full of people who love it too! Surprisingly even though this is a very niche topic there are quite a few interactive communities dedicated to the life and works of Jane Austen.


The first site I found is called The Republic of Pemberly http://www.pemberley.com/. This site takes it's name from the estate of Mr Darcy the main male character in Pride and Prejudice, possibly Jane Austen's most well known novel.The purpose of the site is to connect people who have a similar interest together. It links people from all over the world who have a passion for things Austen. It is a fun site run by Austin fans for Austin fans. This site provides discussion forums and information about all things to do with Austen's works. The forums discuss a wide rang of topics both specific to Austen and a little broader. Each novel has it's own forum and there are forums that discuss the movies and mini series, other books that people recommend, life and time of Austen as well as a fun advice forum where people role play different historical characters giving and receiving advice. Here is an example from the Pride and Prejudice board showing the sorts of things that are being discussed. 

• Faddy?   .......   (4/12/2011 5:10 p.m.)
• "Faddy" is used...   ........   (4/12/2011 6:22 p.m.)
• make our acquaintance in general understand   .........   (4/12/2011 6:42 p.m.)
• Choosey and faddy   .........   (4/12/2011 6:48 p.m.)
•  After Jane's marriage  ........   (4/12/2011 7:26 p.m.)
•  Elizabeth's marriage prospects   ........   (4/13/2011 1:38 p.m.)

(Because posters use their real names on this site these have been removed for ethical reasons.)

The second website I found is called Jane Austen Addict: Blog and Chat 

http://blog.janeaustenaddict.com/. This site is run by Laurie Viera Rigler a very strong Austen fan and author of two books to Jane Austen: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (2008) and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict (2010). The site has information about both these books as well as a blog and chat feature. The chat feature provides forums for people interested in the books as well as other Austen topics to voice opinions and discuss topics of interest. The site allows the fans to interact directly with the author and other enthusiasts. The site also provides links to other Austen related sites as well as information about book clubs and fun Austen quizzes, games and videos. The forums discuss many different topics mostly related to the Authors novels and the works of Austen. Here is an example of what is being discussed on the forum:

Pride & Prejudice 2010	Merlin 03/08/2010 4:20 AM	Laurie Viera Rigler 03/20/2010 9:47 PM	4
EMMA miniseries 2009/2010	Laurie Viera Rigler 01/28/2010 2:25 AM	Laurie Viera Rigler 01/29/2010 5:33 PM	5
Season's Greetings!	Merlin 12/23/2009 7:46 AM	Laurie Viera Rigler 12/21/2010 12:15 AM	8
Is it ok to dislike some of Austen's work?	decorum 12/21/2009 10:32 AM	Carl 08/30/2010 6:44 PM	6
Mating Rituals: Today & in JA's Day	Laurie Viera Rigler 08/18/2009 1:34 AM	Laurie Viera Rigler 12/13/2010 2:24 PM	17
Now That You've Read Rude Awakenings...	Laurie Viera Rigler 07/24/2009 12:32 AM	Carl 09/04/2010 3:07 PM	32
Lost in Austen	Maxi3D 06/02/2009 1:47 PM	DKDC 03/26/2011 6:51 PM

The third website I'm looking at is The Jane Austen Center http://www.janeausten.co.uk/forum/index.php. It is the website of a center in Bath dedicated to Jane Austen. The center's aim is to "celebrate Bath's most famous resident" It provides information about Austen events and things to do in and around Bath. There is information about the Regency Tea Rooms and walks related to the novels. The website also details opening times and has links to the gift shop where you can buy Austen and regency gifts online. A newsletter and online magazine are available and are full of more information about fashion and life in regency times. The forums are open but you need to register to post. Topics vary from the novels, to the television and movie adaptations and discussions of news related to Austen.  And here is one topic that is being discussed:

		Jane Austen Society Diary of Events : 2011 stella	23-03-2011 10:53 PM by stella	1	92
		Jane Austen Regency World Magazine 50th Anniversary Edition stella	23-03-2011 10:46 PM by stella	0	32
		Jane Austen and Gardening ( 1 2) Claudine22	23-03-2011 10:30 PM by stella	13	2,296
		Cooking with Martha and Jane ( 1 2 3) Claudine22

People choose to be involved in these sites because they are interested in the topics being discussed and want to interact with other people who are also interested. They can gain a sense of community and connectedness with other members. The information is reciprocal in that all different people can contribute and give and receive information. People can ask questions and they will receive an answer. Alternatively they can choose to answer a question asked by someone else.  By contributing and feeling they are adding value to the discussion participants can experience and increased sense of self efficacy (Kollock & Smith, 1999).

Kollock, P. & Smith, M. (1999). Communities in cyberspace. In M. A. Smith & P Kollock (eds.).  Communities in cyberspace London: Routledge 

Ethical Issues

There are several ethical issues that are relevant to online communities. One of these is lack of accountability or responsibility. People who post on an online community are not known by the other participants. There is a level of anonymity which decreases inhibitions. People will say things online that they might not say in person. Another issue is the use of intellectual property. Since forums are open once something is put on there it can be copied and copied and copied again until it is impossible to tell whose intellectual property it is.

Benefits of Online Communities for Austen fans.

• Connects people in different geographical locations who might not otherwise meet.
• Sharing of resources and ideas about Austen and her times.
• Ability to observe interactions before engaging.
• Enables in depth discussions.
• There are not that many avid fans of Austen so online communities provide a place for them to meet and to discuss their opinions with other like minded people.  

Aspects of traditional communities that these online communities provide.

• A cup of tea and a chat.
• Developing broader relationships that aren't centered around the one topic.
• Opportunity to dress up, act and dance in regency costume (yes there are groups that do this, sounds like fun!).