courses :: mas 963   the virtual society :: judith donath   closely observe 3 different online conversation environments. you may choose to pick three that differ along the key dimensions of the taxonomy we discussed in class (e.g. synchronous vs. asynchronous, anonymous vs. identified, etc.) or you may choose to look at three different uses of a similar infrastructure (e.g. 3 different newsgroups). I choose to study three different uses of a similar infrastructure (newsgroups), as that is the form of online conversation that I am most familiar with. The three newsgroups I examined all come under the general umbrella term of "comedy fans": alt.fan.eddie-izzard alt.fan.monty-python alt.tv.seinfeld The defined forum topic in each of these newsgroups has a distinct bearing on the type, style and manner of the posts. Two of the newsgroups studied have a distinctly British orientation owing to the country of origin of the comic material discussed, but both choose to deal with American or non-British posters in very different ways. Many of the posters also seek to emulate the comic style of their hero/heroes, a somewhat risky approach considering the high potential for ridicule if the poster doesn't quite pull the imitation off. Although all 3 newsgroups would be considered as "fan" forums, there are marked differences in the communicative functions of each. Alt.tv.seinfeld would appear to consist of contributors exchanging information(transcripts/airing schedules) in a relatively friendly environment, whereas alt.fan.monty-python is a mixture of bizarre pythoesque postings, useful information and good-humoured threads which delight in extensively quoting python. Alt.fan.eddie-izzard contains little information relating to the comedian or his work, but dominant posters tend to write very much in the verbal style typical of the comedian. readings: saville-troike, muriel. the ethnography of communication, chapters 2 and 5. cherny, lynn. conversation and community: chat in a virtual world, chapter 5.   back