k at me like I'm crazy when I say, "this would be really good with some rooster sauce", but they just don't get it. I don't let it get to me, I know I'm not crazy because if I am so are the 89,643 other "Sriracha Fans" on the Facebook site.This is just one example of how online communities are targeting smaller and smaller niches by uniting groups of people. Many people could feel as if they were alone, but through joining online community groups, becoming a "fan", or uploading the products application they can find other people on the net who enjoy their same interests. You can find anything you like from "from clubs for computer "geeks," to fan clubs for famous actors and philosophers, to serious discussions of the events of the day." (Strabhaar, 2008) These sites are great for bring those who have something in common together, but today social communities are taking the idea of "niche markets" to the next level by making complete websites for groups of people with the same interests.
Companies such as "No.1 Industries" are making online communities for people with specific special intere
sts. No.1 Artist is just one of them. The online community bring artists together and allows them to interact with other artists, sell their artwork off their portfolio, gain more exposure in the art industry and just have fun. "It makes more sense for an artist to sign up for No.1 Artist than it does for them to sign up as a member of MySpace because in the end, they will receive better targeted exposure." (Bryant, 2007)This is great that you can find people to relate to and have such individualized forums to network and talk, but what does this mean for the future of our society? If we only talk to those we relate to and stay in our own personal bubbles or niches of comfort, we'll never be exposed to anything new. Some of the most interesting and influential people in my life are people I don't have much in common with. Just because they don't like the same music as them or have the same job doesn't mean we can't learn something from each other or get along. The ever progressing world of online niche communities, like most new forms of communication technology, is a double edge sword. It allows us to meet others that share our same interests, beliefs, and hobbies- but if your only going to meet people exactly like you, why bother meeting other people at all! Just be your own best friend!
Here's a few niche online communities that could be great for you!
For Bartenders
For "Vampire Freaks"
For Christians
For Musicians
For the Talent Industry
Bryant, D (2007, 02, 14). The Future of Social Networking Websites-Target Niche Groups. The Future of Social Networking Websites-Target Niche Groups, Retrieved 3/2/09, from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Future-of-Social-Networking-Websites-Target-Niche-Groups&id=454346
Facebook and MySpace are on top of the online community world. As the benefits of these media moguls continue to grow, new ones are merging into the market and old ones are expanding to different countries. " In September, MySpace opened public test pages for Germany and France, the company’s first versions in languages other than English. That month, the site had 2.5 million unique users in Germany and about half that in France, respectable numbers for a new venture,” (Levine, 2006).
ReplyDeleteMySpace will continue be successful in countries outside of the United States if they research each culture they are investing in. It is vital to understand both the objective and subjective aspects of cultures. While one thing might be socially acceptable in one culture, it could be extremely offensive to another.
Other websites that are competing with MySpace are Orkut.com, which is mostly Brazilians and Studivz.net which is the German equivalent to Facebook.