When I was first assigned to write about online communities I thought the first thing I need to find out is, "What is an online community?" I was told online communities are places where people come together and communicate online.

After I found out what online communities are I had somewhere to start, know the question is "What is my online community experience?" That is not a hard question being that I do not have much experience with online communities. My computer experience is somewhat limited. I have done some research on the computer, but as far as living in a community online or even visiting a community online I have very little experience.

On a few occasions I have visited some chat rooms. I've heard a lot about online chat rooms and I've heard chat rooms are supposed to be the "in" thing know-a-days. This is one aspect of online exploring that doesn't interest me so much. I think the name "chat rooms" should be changed. Yes, it is a place where people go online and "chat", but I think it should be called the "creative world." Chat rooms are a great place for people to explore their creative side. Anyone can go into a chat room and create a different life for themselves or just create different stories.

My cousin for example goes on line and "chats" with people. She doesn't necessarily create a different life for herself, but she does create different ways to avoid telling people about herself. She may talk to the same person for months and never even tell them whether she is female or male. She just creates new ways to avoid the questions. I believe in a way it keeps her stimulated, it lets her explore her creative side. It stimulates her imagination.

Most of what I know about the Internet comes from what others have told me. Until recently I didn't use the Internet often. It is not like I am on all the time now, but I've just recently started exploring more and fearing less of the Internet. I was very intimidated and in a way I still am. But it is always fun and exciting to explore, after all that is who America got discovered.

A very important subject is money and the Internet has become a big market for spending and making money. My brothers have just started investing their money online. My brothers have allowed their money to communicate with other people's money online in an attempt to make what else, more money. They joined the ranks of so many others in the effort to make more money in the stock market. They placed their money in the stock market online with E-Trade. I am almost certain that they would not have placed their money in the stock market if it weren’t for the convenience of connecting online from their home computer. Being able to buy and sell stock from home makes it so much easier and comfortable to do so. So my brothers have made some money by investing online and I ask myself, "Is it that simple?" "Can I do it too?" "Can I make money by connecting online with my money?"

Being in this English class has already forced me to take a bigger step into the world of online communities. Having to post my class assignments on the computer where everyone can see and read my work is very foreign and scary for me. I am used to writing and typing my assignments for the teacher and turning them in. Once I turn in my assignment it is done. The teacher is the only one who reads my work. The teacher grades my work and hands it back to me. But putting my work online is so scary for me, because so many people can read it and who knows for how long my papers could be floating online. How do I know who is going to read this paper? And do I want you reading my paper?

"Who are you?"

"Why are you reading my paper?"

"Do you think my paper is any good?"

"What year is it?"

Section II- What I did?

Starting my I-Search of online communities is foreign ground for me. I decided to take it slowly. I first decided to do my I-Search on art teacher communities online. I chose art