Motet as Virtual Community

Virtual community got its start with a few people who had mastered UNIX-based conferencing software, newsgroups, and bulletin board services. But many others, too busy to learn the command-line skill set, were left out in the cold. The coming of the World Wide Web marked the beginning of the end of the exclusivity afforded by a too-steep learning curve. Even before conferencing came to the Web, people were communicating via links to each other's Web pages, and commentaries they posted on their own Web pages. Before long, improved browser technology made it possible for people to read newsgroups on the Web. Motet conferencing takes Web communication one step further.

Motet is self-maintaining. Unlike online chat, participants need not all be logged on at once. Instead, conversations typically take place over days, weeks, or even months. Conversations are permanent. Members of the community can refer back to postings they read or wrote months ago. This permanence adds depth to conversations, giving participants a sense that they are taking part in the building of a lasting resource.

Motet is linear. Unlike mailing lists or Usenet, Motet stores the discussion in a central place, ensuring that postings are consecutive and that no one adds a new posting without having had the opportunity to read all of what has been said so far. The result is a discussion that has the feel of a real-life conversation. This atmosphere fosters dynamic interaction among participants, and this is the kind of interaction in which great ideas and lasting friendships form.

Motet's fully graphical interface and browser compatibility make it accessible to a variety of Internet users, from novice to expert. Users typically pick up all of Motet's basic functions and navigation techniques in one or two sittings. This accessibility means that more people, from more walks of life, can participate in the community. Busy professionals can join in regular, ongoing discussions, find information and resources, and get answers to questions through networking in conferences--without compromising that most valued resource: time.

Motet makes linking to other sites on the Web simple and direct. Include the URL of the site you wish to link to, or even your own email address, and Motet creates a link automatically. Also, links within Motet are simple and straightforward, affording easy access to information posted elsewhere in the topic, in the conference, or in another conference.

The World Wide Web is rapidly becoming a part of everyone's life. Conferencing makes the Web not just a place to visit, but a place to meet, share ideas, learn, and teach. With its rich set of features, intuitive design, and complete documentation, Motet makes conferencing powerful and easy to use.

Motet in action: Visit the Utne Reader, and see how they created a virtual community on the Web.