This does not mean to say that the benefits a community environment offers cannot be attained online. For example, virtual communities have adopted a language unique to them that promotes fun and entertaining interaction which attempts to compensate for the loss of physical presence within a community. It is used in anagram form to describe emotions and actions that one net user wishes to convey to others. There are literally hundreds of these anagrams used in online conversations, and there purpose is to stimulate an environment that goes beyond the two-dimensional community that has been created. Other applications used in virtual communities are Avatars and sound files.
Avatars are small, thumbnail sized photos.
They are a persona of who you wish to display to those in the virtual community. Sound files may also be played online during conversations in a virtual community. These sounds may emphasize emotions such as laughter and crying or may simply be used to give others a sample of your real speaking voice. Furthermore, online communities can provide support to various members of the greater community through information services, such as health caring associations. You may wish to search for techniques and skills that may help you care for them.