This is a little off the usual line but I'd like some help.

I'm working towards an MA in Counseling Psychology and am currently doing a course on Family and Community. I have to write a paper on community types/styles/functions and was hoping to be able discuss the different forms of virtual community that are springing up via the Internet and WWW.

I would like your opinions on the following topics:

1. What do you perceive the functions of a community as?

2. Do you perceive the Universal Thread as a community?

3. What are the major differences between this virtual forum and an equivalent real one?

4. What do you perceive as the advantages of a virtual community?

5. What are the disadvantages of a virtual community?

6. Have you managed to transfer any of your relationships in this virtual community to real-life?

7. How often are you on-line?

8. How often do you visit UT?

9. How long do you typically spend on-line at one time?

10. How many email messages do you get per day?

11. Do you belong to any other on-line groups?
If so how many?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you wish you may email me privately, either here or at jengrace@tiac.net -- my personal email account.

When the paper is finished it will be published on my webpage, as will the results of the surveys which I am sending to a number of groups.

Thanks
Jen