We read a lot about online communities. But what does "community" mean on the internet? Carol Anne Ogdin describes the difference between standing in line at the supermarket with a group of people and what it means to be part of a community. Her distinguishing characteristics of community include:
- Purpose: some reason for the community to exist, beyond just 'having community,'
- Commitment to other's welfare; some essential caring by each member for others in the same community, or at least some responsibility of individual members toward the community.
- Self-determination; the freedom to decide for themselves how they'll operate and whom they'll admit to membership.
