For my last practicum post I have been experimenting with private messages on Superfuture and Hypebeast. The difference between private messages and regular posts on forum walls, is that no one else besides you and the person you sent the message to can see the message. Therefore, it is like an email between you and another person.
I experimented with messaging experienced users, ones with a high number of posts, and unexperienced users. I mainly asked them questions about what they are wearing in a certain picture, where to get it, how to size etc.
My experience has been really good since almost all of the experienced users have responded to my questions. Most of the unexperienced users responded too. This shows how the communities can really nurture new members.
I find that when you ask a legitimate and interesting question, no matter how experienced you are, people generally will respond.
It is nice to see how you can actively participate amongst a group in a large forum and have one on one interaction as well. This mirrors real-life communities because you can talk to all your friends at once and then you can interact with just one, which is more personal.
Overall, my experience has been very illuminating and I feel I have been accepted as part of these online communities. If you are interesting and post meaningful comments, just like in real life, people seem to take notice and accept you.
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