Recent Activity

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  Using Tangler conversation in thesis research (please read!)

  I have no problems with anything I say being used on the proviso that I am always refered to as "Dr of Economics and Nobel Loriet JakeNudge"

  Posted 08 Jul 07

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  Updates on thesis advancement and results

  Sounds like an interesting read.. are you going to post a copy of the completed thesis on tangler?

  Posted 08 Jul 07

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  Facebook vs. Myspace

  Well from my understanding MySpace was supposed to be for musicians/bands to promote themselves.. Thanks to millions of 12-15 yearolds not many of the people I know who are musicians bother much with the site these days.  Facebook seemed to capitalise on the bucket loads of kids that started using it for non music related purposes so kudos to the Facebook guys for seeing an emerging market.

  One thing I would like to add in regards to FaceBook is the way they used exclusivity factor to gain momentum.  By starting out as college students only they captured a "cool" group of people but excluded the random people that wanted to infultrate such a world.  From a sales perspective making a product exclusive from day one ensured that there would be customers that wanted in just because they wernt alowed to. 

  The 2 products are very different and so are the users although im sure it wont be long before facebook starts to feel much the same as myspace and at this point people will move on..

  Posted 08 Jul 07

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  Facebook: fostering real relationships?

  Online relationships are really just sped up versions of your traditional penpal relationships and if you look at the types of letters that appear in Ken Burns type documentaries during the civil war etc, I would say that those relationships are as rich as any face to face friendships.  I know quite a few people that have built very strong relationships online and would think that they are just as enjoyable as face to face versions. 

  Posted 28 Jun 07

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  Is it possible to establish trust in a virtual community?

  Is there a certain level of trust that comes with anonymity?  I find that some people will divulge all kinds of personal secrets over the internet as they are able to skip a few peices of vital information that would lead the receiver of said secrets back to them in real life. 

  Of course, like most people I have had my fair share of people on real life who I have known for years, thought I could trust and then they have seriously screwed me over.  So for this reason I feel that trust is a tough one regardless of its online/offline association. 

  Posted 24 Jun 07

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  Are virtual communities really different?

  I find that the biggest difference between traditional communities (the ones of 50 years ago) and the web 2.0 communities is the removal of barriers.  If I was at a pub and i heard 3 people standing in a circle talking about virtual communitites, chances are I wouldnt chime in with my 2 cents, and if i did, chances are you would be wondering how long its going to take before I try to convince you to come to an Amway meeting, start chatting up your girlfriend, etc. 

  The best example of this is the rise of online dating.  The internet alows a certain level on anonymity and thus removes the approach anxiety for many people that would ordinarily be scared to strike up a conversation with a stranger.  

  P.S - I'm not part of Amway 

  Posted 15 Jun 07