Internet Communication Study

Hello all --

For my senior thesis, I'm investigating the ethics of internet 
communication.  I'm interested to get anecdotes from anyone who 
reads and posts on this board about the ways in which the 
communication done on the bulletin board and in the QB chatroom 
differs from the communication you have had with some of these same 
people when you have come into contact with them in real life.  This 
would be a big help to me if I could get some "real people" to tell 
me what they think, and so I do not have to rely on what scholars 
have already published.

So, if you have a minute somewhere, let me know your thoughts:

-- What are the positives and negatives of this medium?
-- How do the people differ once you talk to them in real life?
-- How would you describe internet communication (both here, and 
anywhere else you communicate via the Web, like e-mail and instant 
messaging) in reference to talking on the telephone or having a 
converastion with someone else?
-- What are the ramifications of people remaining anonymous online?  
How do you feel this changes their communication strategy and the 
effectiveness of their communication?  Is anonymity ethical?

Feel free to answer any, all or none of these questions, and send 
responses to blindmoose_at_... at your convenience.  If you wish 
to remain anonymous, I will gladly not include your name in the 
paper.  All I ask is that I do know who you are, but I will 
certinaly honor any wishes of anonymity once the paper is submitted 
for a grade (and possibly published).

Thank you all for your time,
Stan Jastrzebski, Communications major, DePauw University '03

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