Reciprocity acts as a form of online transaction. Acknowledgement of a participant's presence, welcoming, noting absences, all build reciprocity. There is nothing worse than sharing something in a collaborative online workspace and getting ZERO feedback. It is deflating. When we can't acknowledge with applause, head nodding or eyebrow raising, we must get more deliberate in the text.
Nothing gets older faster than circular paths with no driving purpose.
Online collaboration is not simply an exercise in online conversation. The evolution of roles online is still a bit of mystery to me. There is a delicate line between declaring one's role, gaining support and approval for a role, and being seen as someone trying to control a group. The central issues regarding role revolve around decision making, power and control mechanisms. A secondary issue with roles is stereotyping into roles.