I believe that when you begin working for a company you sign an agreement stating that everything you produce on company time, or using company resources belongs to them. I worked at a software company, and at the end of the month my boss gave me a a sheet with every single phone call I made, to whom, and for how long. I was very surprised, but then at the same time he explained that company time is time you are being paid for - its not fair if you're wasting your time emailing people or talking on the phone.
On the subject of schools giving away computers, I have a intersting story from the other end of the spectrum. A good friend of mine is currently going to HEC (Hautes Etudes Commerce) in Montreal, and they were forced (yes, forced) to buy a 4000$ laptop, with pre-installed software and the whole bit! As a note, the province of Quebec has subsidized university tuition and only pay about 30% of what the rest of Canada pay.
In MUDs, you have something to live for within the community -- even if it's just levels and loot.
In some MOOs, you can construct an elaborate habitat.
I dunno, I think that IRC has a virtual community... there are people that meet there everyday in the same fasion as a mud and a moo, but without any sense of purpose as stated above.
I don't think you necessarily have to turn the community into some kind of game before they become a community.
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I believe that when you begin working for a company you sign an agreement stating that everything you produce on company time, or using company resources belongs to them. I worked at a software company, and at the end of the month my boss gave me a a sheet with every single phone call I made, to whom, and for how long. I was very surprised, but then at the same time he explained that company time is time you are being paid for - its not fair if you're wasting your time emailing people or talking on the phone.
On the subject of schools giving away computers, I have a intersting story from the other end of the spectrum. A good friend of mine is currently going to HEC (Hautes Etudes Commerce) in Montreal, and they were forced (yes, forced) to buy a 4000$ laptop, with pre-installed software and the whole bit! As a note, the province of Quebec has subsidized university tuition and only pay about 30% of what the rest of Canada pay.
In MUDs, you have something to live for within the community -- even if it's just levels and loot.
/.'ers a community?
In some MOOs, you can construct an elaborate habitat.
I dunno, I think that IRC has a virtual community... there are people that meet there everyday in the same fasion as a mud and a moo, but without any sense of purpose as stated above.
I don't think you necessarily have to turn the community into some kind of game before they become a community.
Could you call