***APOLOGIES FOR RECEIPT OF DUPLICATE POSTINGS*** Colleagues/ I Need To Tap The Wisdom-Of-The-Web ... I am interested in the Similarities / Differences of the following related Web-phenomena: =Online Communities =Online Social Networks =Virtual Communities of Practice I am also interested in Any and All Significant ***Examples*** And/Or ***Research*** about >>Virtual Communities of Practice<< >>Online Communities<< [I Have Online Social Networks More/Less Covered[:-)] BTW: I am aware of the Most Excellent Work of danah boyd [ http://www.danah.org/ ] ===NOTE: I am particularly interested in examples/research in Science / Technology 'Communities' [especially Chemistry / Physics ] === ---IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE COMMENT ON THE BLOG ENTRY AT--- [ http://onlinesocialnetworks.blogspot.com/2008/02/similaritiesdifferences-of-communities.html ] I Will Post A Summary Later This Month Thanks! /Gerry Gerry McKiernan Associate Professor Science and Technology Librarian Iowa State University Library Ames IA 50011 [log in to unmask] There is Nothing More Powerful Than An Idea Whose Time Has Come Victor Hugo [ http://www.blogger.com/profile/09093368136660604490 ] Iowa: Where the Tall Corn Flows and the (North)West Wind Blows ... [ http://www.alternativeenergyblogs.blogspot.com/ ]