Discourse Community

[Ritter]

Hey guys I'm doing some research on discourse communities for my comp class. We have to do it interview style. I'd appreciate it if any of you could answer these questions.
Why did you join?

When did you join?

What are the common goals of the group?

How does the group communicate?

What do new members of the community have to do to get their rep up?

What roles do members play?

Who's in charge, and why?

Do you have special vocabulary that outsiders wouldn't understand?

Thanks in advance,
Austin Ritter

 

[skunk]

Why did you join?
To find out answers to my Mac-related problems
When did you join?
2002
What are the common goals of the group?
To share their views on everything from romantic entanglements, through computer-related questions, to religious and political issues.
How does the group communicate?
By posting on an internet forum.
What do new members of the community have to do to get their rep up?
Talk a bit of sense, generally.
What roles do members play?
Genius, whinger, liberal, reactionary, raconteur, you name it.
Who's in charge, and why?
God.
Do you have special vocabulary that outsiders wouldn't understand?
Oh yes indeed.

Can you guess which Discourse Community I'm talking about?

 

[andalusia]

Why did you join?
To discuss, ask about, help with, and read about Mac related issues, problems and information.
When did you join?
April 2009
What are the common goals of the group?
Mainly to solve other's computer related issues (mostly Apple computers), to inform other's about computers and technology (often Apple related), but also to talk about anything regarding the Community Discussion area and to discuss whatever comes to mind.
How does the group communicate?
"By posting on an internet forum."
What do new members of the community have to do to get their rep up?
"Talk a bit of sense, generally."
What roles do members play?
There aren't really any given roles, however there are people who are more helpers, and people who are more askers, and people who are more informers. And I guess a bit of each.
Who's in charge, and why?
God I guess, the member God that is. I think he's the highest member here, so I guess he owns the place.
Do you have special vocabulary that outsiders wouldn't understand?
Possibly? I mean some 'outsiders' might know the same stuff but if you found a bunch of ordinary people from the world equalling the same amount of people on this forum, the people on this forum would no doubt know more about computers and technology than the normal'uns.

 

[fireshot91]

Why did you join?
To get answers to a few iPhone/iPod questions
When did you join?
August 2008
What are the common goals of the group?
To help each other out with their Apple related problems, and/or questions
How does the group communicate?
Through posting on an Internet forum
What do new members of the community have to do to get their rep up?
Answer questions logically, and correctly
What roles do members play?
Answering questions, talking no sense, being ourselves pretty much
Who's in charge, and why?
Arn, since he created the site
Do you have special vocabulary that outsiders wouldn't understand?
Not really.