Intra-website Communication
Intra-website communication can be extremely varied and have a large range of complexity therefore, it is more difficult to explain. Basically, intra-website communication is any communication which takes place within the confines of one website, or a network of websites. Intra-website communications can, technically, include almost all of the communication methods previously mentioned but for the sake of this article, will not be considered as such.
Intra-website communication usually exists for one of three purposes: contacting other users/visitors of the site directly, commenting about the website and content (possibly directly to the webmaster) or posting information on the site which will be accessible by the general public.
Some of the methods for intra-website communication directly to other users/visitors include:
- Inbox Messaging
- Many sites such as Ebay and Myspace have an on site messaging system which users can use to send messages to other users who are then able to reply and, usually, view the sender’s profile. It’s similiar to e-mail but is, generally, only accessible once you are signed on to the website in your browser. These messaging systems range from simple to complex but are generally recognizeable for what they are, even if they are more advanced. Though most websites don’t actually have a name for them they may commonly be addressed as an Inbox, Mail or Pager services.
- Instant Messaging
- Some websites provides users with an IM service which is site and browser-based and can only be used when one is logged into the site to contact other users who are logged into the site.
- Groups
- Many websites have interest-based groups which users can join to communicate with others who share similar interests, hobbies and lifestyles. Some groups use communication methods such as chat, message inboxes or forums within their structure whereas others are more of an incorporation of mailing lists into a website. Examples of groups include MSN Groups, Yahoo!Groups and Google Groups.
- Mailing Lists
- Mailing lists are lists of e-mail addresses. One may sign up for a mailing list simply for an update of a website which will be periodically sent by website owners or moderators or, if a mailing list is incorporated into a group site, many or all members of the mailing list will be able to send a message to all the members of the list. To find a mailing list one can search Lsoft.
Some methods of communicating about the website or to the website owner include:
- Tagboard
- Tagboards, otherwise known as shoutboxes, are small scripts embedded into a website which display lists of short, usually informal messages between people, usually from website visitors to website owners although sometimes vice versa. They generally automatically refresh so real time communication is possible, if 2 or more people are at a site with a tagboard at the same time. Generally, older messages are deleted although some scripts have the ability to archive them, so tagboards are not effective for saving information over longer periods of time.
- Guestbooks
- Online guestbooks are like guestbooks which you might find at a wedding reception. People add their signatures and a short message to let you know that they were at your site and what they thought about it.
- Comments
- Comments are usually found on websites which contains blogs, personal websites and web sites powered by CMS (Content Management Scripts) such as WordPress which utilise comments heavily but are also found on a myriad of websites. Comments can also be found on sites such as DeviantArt or Youtubewhere users can post comments about other’s artwork or videos.
Depending upon the individual website, conversations may take place within comments (though this is probably not happening real time) or conversation may move to e-mail, or bounce back and forth between the websites of the conversation participants. - Comments
- Due to the boom of social networking sites such as Myspace, commenting on people rather than the webpage itself has become common as a way to contact someone directly, leave a friendly note or advertise yourself.
Some ways people can communicate to the general population by posting on a website are:
- Posting Reviews
- On many online shopping sites such as Amazon, visitors have the option to post a review of the products provided, which will be viewable by others browsing those products.
- Member Ratings
- Member ratings are used in many communities and have a variety of names, most notibably Fame and Feedback. Ratings can be used in a general or lighthearted way, such as on some forums which allow members to give fame or other members or they can be indicators of business transcations such as feedback which can be given on Ebay. Ebay’s feedback is useful not only for the specific buyer and seller involved in the tranasction, but also so prospective buyers or sellers.
- Wikis
- Wikis are webpages(sites) which are often incorporated into larger sites which function as a sort of encyclopedia/dictionary or guide function for the topics which the (parent) site (if there is one) covers and is editable by users, sometimes without requiring registration. Wikipedia is a very large scale encyclopedia.
- Blogs
- Although blogs can stand on their own, they are sometimes the sole purpose of a webpage and by posting a blog entry, one enables the generla populace of the internet to read his or her views and thoughts on topics which range from current politic events to the happenings of the poster’s everyday life.
