My mate Lexa has written an excellent paper on Virtual Online Communities that is essential reading for anyone interested in the ‘hottest topic on the web’, to steal her words.
It covers the typologies of online communities, how they grow, the business opportunities [and risks] they offer and a brief glimpse into their future.
She was kind enough to credit me for the two cents on Second Life I offered her – thanks Lexa!
You can download the paper here.