T. A web-based virtual community.pdfVIP

Int. J. Web Based Communities, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2005 127 A web-based virtual community Christos Bouras*, Vaggelis Igglesis, Vaggelis Kapoulas and Thrasyvoulos Tsiatsos Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, University of Patras and Research Academic Computer Technology Institute, Riga Feraiou 61, Patras GR 26221, Greece E-mail: bouras@cti.gr E-mail: igglesis@cti.gr E-mail: kapoulas@cti.gr E-mail: tsiatsos@cti.gr *Corresponding author Abstract: This paper describes functionality and architectural issues in the design of a web-based virtual community. This virtual community aims to meet the requirements of a virtual collaboration system with both autonomous and collaborative e-learning services, by supporting communities whose members interact and form groups based on their common interests. Keywords: collaborative virtual community; networked virtual environments; architecture. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Bouras, C., Igglesis, V., Kapoulas, V. and Tsiatsos, T. (2005) ‘A web-based virtual community’, Int. J. Web Based Communities, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp.127–139. Biographical notes: Christos J. Bouras is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics of Patras University, Greece, and the Scientific Advisor of Research Unit 6 in Research Academic Computer Technology Institute (CTI), Patras, Greece. His research interests include analysis of performance of networking and computer systems, computer networks and protocols, telematics