[ih] virtual communities

[dhc2 at dcrocker.net (Dave CROCKER)]

Brian Dear wrote:
> ? 1985: Virtual communities
> Way way inaccurate, and again, probably copied from The Guardian's piece 
> which also pushed this myth.  The WELL (which I have been a member of 
> since 1986) was a relative latecomer to the world of online communities 
> if you compare it to PLATO, which in 1973 had notesfiles (message 
> forums), chat rooms, and instant messaging.  The WELL wouldn't exist for 
> another dozen years.


net-based mailing lists were active by around 74 or 75, initially for discussion 
about email.  it was immediately clear that each list created a community of 
interest.

d/

-- 

   Dave Crocker
   Brandenburg InternetWorking
   bbiw.net