Virtual community 101: know your virtual community and members.

ABSTRACTAs virtual communities (VCs) become prevalent and sophisticated, various kinds of VCs have emerged. Participation is a key factor that decides whether a VC can survive in long run. The more understanding about the members of the VC, the better promotion of the participation can be planned. This study presents the categories to examine entire realms of VCs and members and a framework which presents how VC users' behavior differs across different types of VCs.