For this assignment, I had a considerably difficult time choosing something I care about enough to carry on an online discussion with virtual strangers about. There are a great many subjects I am passionate about- I just found it difficult to choose one subject that I felt worth allocating extensive online time and consideration. I finally decided upon poetry, becuase while it is something I enjoy- I also feel comfortable in my knowledge and ability to participate in discussion on. There are likely prettier and easier to follow sites than the one I chose, http://www.wildpoetryforum.com/, I found the discussion board world difficult to navigate, thus was grateful to have at least found a site that I could manage.
To begin with, it took me awhile to assimilate into the group. I joined the group at the beginning of the term, but due to my insane academic schedule- as well as pressing issues of life and death (literally- this term has been tainted with two family births and two deaths). I would have to say that that is likely the cause of my slowed assimilation. I think this correlates with a statement in the reading- “in order for a virtual community to exist, there must be a flow of messages among the participants” (128), as it offers an explanation as to why the group was slow in accepting me. Those who left me welcoming messages and received exceedingly tardy replies, likely in some way felt that I was slighting the intent of the group by failing to contribute to the flow of communication. Their initial attempt at interaction and community was not successful, thus I was not an active, or accepted member of the group.
In the beginning, I was a “lurker”, someone who is “present but offer[s] no comment or contribution. An active member of WildPoetry is expected to share their work, thoughts, and critique, and engage in conversation with others thoughts. Once I gave up on my initial discussion-board reservations, and actually contributed a few samples of my writing as well as remarking on/admiring others contributions- I was accepted. Well, as accepted as a ‘newbie’ can be in a realm they are entirely unfamiliar with. I knew I was accepted, or rather, REaccepted when those who had first welcomed, then snubbed (or perhaps SILENCED would be the more CMC accurate term here..) me, once again included me in discussion and critiqued (both positively and negatively) my contributions. Actually yesterday- Sandra (notice the lack of anonymity- the group is very comfortable, and obviously with their interest- actually do wish to be known by their name- whether it is actually their true name or even their ‘pen name’, they each include both first and last names) commented on one of my comments to offer advise on how to format my conversations as opposed to my poetry contributions so that other participants could access them easier. I have not yet decided whether or not that was a demonstration of community acceptance (showing the newbie the ropes) or if she is one of the regulators and according to netiquette, feels the responsibility to help a member of the community interact appropriately. Hard to say since I’ll never meet her. Or could she be a him?
In conclusion of the assignment, I terminated my membership to the WildPoetry community. While I can now appreciate the niche these virtual communities fill, I do not have the time to allow what this particular community actually deserves. That, and there is STILL something about online interaction with ‘strangers’ that makes me uncomfortable, something I will certainly have to get over considering the way my career is headed…Now I know how my grandparents felt when they were saying things like, “When I was your age I walked to school..both ways…and you talked to a person either in person or by written word- and you NEVER gave out personal information to people you didn’t know…”
Oddly enough, I have to admit that I was rather sorry to see my new found communicators go. Despite not having a clue what any of them were honestly like, their shared thoghts and articulate abilities had me slightly attached… 
This world of “virtual communities” is so fascinating and nerve wracking at the same time. It’s so nerve wracking when you first join thinking “is anyone going to reply to my posts, or am I going to be totally snubbed here”.
I too felt a bit uncomfortable interacting with completely strangers, especially knowing I would probably not be in that discussion group for very much longer.
I too was unsure of what online community to join, though I stumbled across mine and didn’t seek out one based on my interests. It’s interesting how different our experiences were because of that. My online community was the lifestyle section of a website devoted to alcoholic drink recipes (I was looking for a hot toddy one). To have a group of people discussing poetry would be much different indeed. I hope to become a published author someday, though not in poetry, and after reading your blog, I think searching out a discussion board on literature would be a useful tool. Although, I will wait until I have more time to devote to such a group.