Integrated digital communities: Combining web-based interaction with text messaging to develop a system for encouraging group communication and competition

Digital communities are often portrayed as operating entirely within the confines of a single technological domain, e.g. a group of people in a web-based chatroom. In this study an integrated approach to digital communities is explored. It is proposed that members of communities employ a range of digital technologies to support their activities and sense of community. This paper describes a study that develops a community using combined text messaging or Short Messaging Service (SMS) with web-based interaction. An application based on this specification is built in order to develop and support a digital community based around the 2002 World Cup. Participants interacted with the system during the soccer tournament, chatting with other members and taking part in competitions. They successfully integrated SMS with the website. Participants reported feeling like a cohesive group and showed increased interest in soccer and the World Cup.