The internet and online communities

Provide the web address and the name of the community you are investigating


Trade me (http://www.trademe.co.nz/).


What is the brief or focus of this community


New Zealand's leading online shopping website, with thousands of online auctions plus jobs, property and motors classifieds. TradeMe's website is the second most visited in New Zealand after Google New Zealand, and is ranked 1095th globally according to Alexa Internet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TradeMe).Retrived 18th May 2009.


What services are provided? How interactive is this site? How can people contribute?


Online auctions.
Jobs, property and motors classifieds.
Trade me is a very interactive site. There are at least 200,000 people at any given time.



Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on why people choose to contribute to this community. What is it they are seeking?



People seek the opportunity to practice free trade.
Opportunity to buy and sell at their own terms, time and condition.



Cut and paste an example of the type of topics being discussed (you may have to provide a context to your excerpt).

This is the description of a car on sale on Trade me site.

Kilometers: 90,969km
Body: METALLIC BLUE, 4 door, Ute
Fuel type: Diesel
Engine: 4 cylinder, 2500cc, Manual, 4WD
Registration expires: Dec 2009
WOF expires: Dec 2009
Stereo description: CD PLAYER
Features: ABS brakes
Air conditioning
Alloy wheels
Central locking
Driver airbag
Passenger airbag
Power steering
Tow bar

Kilometers: 90,969km
Body: METALLIC BLUE, 4 door, Ute
Fuel type: Diesel
Engine: 4 cylinder, 2500cc, Manual, 4WD
Registration expires: Dec 2009
WOF expires: Dec 2009
Stereo description: CD PLAYER
Features: ABS brakes
Air conditioning
Alloy wheels
Central locking
Driver airbag
Passenger airbag
Power steering
Tow bar

2003 MAZDA BOUNTY, FACE LIFT MODEL, DOUBLE CAB, WELL SIDE, 2.5 DIESEL TURBO, 4WD (ELECTRIC HUBS), ALLOY WHEELS, TOW BAR, DUEL AIRBAGS, CENTRAL LOCKING, AIR CONDITIONING, POWER STEERING. THE REAR TRAY IS PROTECTED BY A LINER, DRIVES GREAT AT ONLY 90,000KS. WHEN LISTED THIS WAS THE CHEAPEST OF THIS MODEL ON TRADE ME. BE QUICK AS THIS WILL BE SOLD IN THIS AUCTION, AND IT IS ONLY 5 DAYS LONG. HAPPY BIDDING (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mazda/auction-218410678.htm) Retrieved 18th May 2009.



Considering material presented during the course and make comment on the potential ethical issues that may arise in this community e.g. lack of identity and accountability.



Trust.
Privacy
Confidentiality.



Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on the benefits this community holds over traditional notions of community e.g. communities reliant on geographic proximity

It provides connections over great distances instantly.
It has the ability to connect people with similar interests, needs or concern.
It allows silent observation prior to participation.
It allows people shop without having to leave the comfort of their home