E Commerence and Communities part 2 WITH EVEN MORE FLAIR!

Yes the chart below is labeled Generations online but I wanted to use it to illustrate that communities are using the internet to use it for commerce largely. One of Brey's main positives of using the internet is the fact that it can open up commerce. Now in this chart here is shows in one of the slides that regardless of generation most people use the internet for either buying something, booking a trip, or doing research online about a specific product. This can really lead back to a community because it means that communities can extend their own economies by going on online. Maybe you are in a small town with a unique product or service and want to expand but really don't have the resources to do so, that where the internet can come into play. It takes realitivly little resources to open up an online store and really jump into the open market unlike ever before. And like stated with the Facebook reading about networking across boarders, this can really allow for commerce across boarders. Some people have concerns over the fact that the internet can kill the little guy because of amazon and such but i believe the little guy in the communities can utilize this tool to the fullest potential. Another Pew Online Study shows that 8 out of 10 people go online to research a product or service (Article 'Americas Online Pursuit'). In the same 2003 study online auction participants doubled from 2000-2003 . Also in 2003 the number of people buying stuff online jumped 63% since the turn of the decade. Now with the internet being even more widespread now 5 to 6 years later you can image the number of people who could be looking at your product/service. Do you think the online market place can help or hinder the 'little guy'

E Commerence and Communities WITH FLAIR!

Generations Online in 2009 Charts

View more presentations from PewInternet.

Facebook and your social life...

One of these last articles really got me thinking, in the Ellison article.... I never thought of having a facebook account as giving me or taking away from my social capital. I can see how this effects the community. As stated in the reading it says that the more social capital that you have the less crime, more efficient economic systems and more positive social outcomes. The greater the social capital that is going on in a community to the mobilization there is in the community. That is an excellent point that is pointed out in these readings. I briefly touched on it on my first blog post but this really sums it up very well. Sure as the readings point out it can take away from that face to face interation but I would argue some interaction is better than no interaction at all.
Particularly if you are in a community that does not really fit your personality or your way of life. Facebook is a way to gain more relationships, as stated in the readings it can extend beyond borders and bring like minded people together. In Facebook you can create various groups regardless of what it is for. That is where you can share common beliefs. I am a part of an online group, outside of facebook, that brings Ute fans together to interact with one another. Utefans.net is a message board that brings Utah fans/alumni together to interact regardless of where they are located. There are regular posters on there from other countries like China. It allows us to share that common bond with like minded individuals no matter the distances.

According to a USA Today Poll 49% of all adults that us an online networking site use it to make new friends. Trying to increase ones social capital. Between 2006 and 2008 social networking increased some 93% with Facebook seeing a 500% growth. 89% of Adults that use a social networking site us it to keep up with some old friends. Especially to keep prior social captial in order. Older adults are still in the minority in terms of usuage of social networking but the numbers have been growing. A Pew Internet survey shows that adult usage of online social networking sites have quadrupled from 8% to 35%. Essentially, like I stated earlier being a member of some group is better than not being a member of anything.

The Ellison article does say that some people are concerned with the fact that it could take away from real world face to face interaction. I would have my doubts about that statement. In a study from 2001 (dated I know but still good data i think) from the Pew Internet study it stated about 1/3 of the people who use social networking network with people from different backgrounds, wether it be ethnic or what not (http://www.pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2001/90-million-have-participated-in-online-groups.aspx).
Would you agree or disagree with the statement that online networking helps your social capital? Or do you think that being members in online groups can take away from some face to face interaction?