CMX Dictionary

Steinmacher et al. identified 15 barriers for contributors of open source software projects.

Asynchronous learning refers to a method of learning where learners do not need to be present in the same place or at the same time as their instructors or peers, allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling and pace.

Anonymous blogs refer to online platforms where individuals can publish content without revealing their true identities.

Anonymity refers to the state of being unknown or unidentifiable, particularly in regards to online activities or communication.

Altruism refers to the selfless concern for the welfare of others, often demonstrated through acts of kindness or charitable behavior.

Alexis Pilkington was a teenage girl who died by suicide in 2010, after being relentlessly bullied on social media. 

Adhocracies are organizational structures that prioritize flexibility, creativity, and collaboration over formal hierarchies, and are commonly used in situations where traditional structures are insufficient.

An active lurker is someone who participates in an online community by observing and consuming content, but does not actively contribute by posting or commenting.

The 1-9-90 rule states that in online communities, 90% of users are lurkers, 9% are occasional contributors, and only 1% are active contributors.

The 1% rule is a concept that suggests that only 1% of a community actively create new content, while the other 99% consume it passively.

Netiquette is a set of informal rules and guidelines that dictate how people should behave and communicate with each other online.

Natasha MacBryde and Sean Duffy were two individuals involved in separate instances of online harassment which led to their tragic deaths, highlighting the detrimental effects of cyberbullying and the need for increased measures to address online abuse.

Metcalfe's law states that the value of a network increases proportionally to the square of the number of its users, implying that the more users a network has, the more valuable it becomes.

Fandom refers to a subculture composed of fans who share a common interest in a particular object, topic, or media franchise, and engage in various activities related to their shared passion.

Clay Shirky's concept of communities of practice refers to groups of people who share a common interest or profession and engage in ongoing learning and collaboration, which can be applied to both online and offline settings.

Amy Jo Kim's membership life cycle is a model that outlines the various stages members of a community go through, from the initial stage of discovering the community to becoming a loyal member.

Ethnography is a research methodology used in anthropology and sociology to understand the social and cultural behavior of a particular group or community through immersive fieldwork and participant observation.

Michael Porter is a renowned Harvard Business School professor who is best known for his contributions to the field of strategy. His work on the competitive forces that shape industries and the value chain has had a significant impact on how forums or online communities approach strategy.

The Ansoff Matrix is a strategic tool used by communities to identify opportunities for growth. The Ansoff Matrix can be used to evaluate 4 different strategies for expanding the community and increasing user engagement.