Google Groups

Today in class, we had to search 'Google Groups' looking for Internet groups which present information on a topic with members from all over the world accessing it via the Internet. People which are interested in that same topic can become members. The website Had to be able to allow members which can discuss each of the topics, or make new ones.

I have found a small music group called 'Music in London'
http://groups.google.com/group/TransientMusic
Although this website is small, it is very focused on which topics are discussed. (focused topics are usually submitted by the creator of the website)
There is a creator of the website who posts blogs or information which can be read by either members of the website or just Internet surfers.
The creator is also very informative, giving links to show where he researched his ideas/discussions.

Benefit
The benefits of this particular website is that it is very informative. unlike other groups who just let people discuss a topic, giving biased views and then others elaborating on it, this website is totally un-biased, giving links to related websites in the blogs posted.

Disadvantages
The downside of this website is that there are people who post a blog of a topic nothing to do with the main 'theme' of the website. I think this could be improved my the admin limiting what is posted on the website, keeping the main discussions more focused. Although this mean need a high maitenence system for the website if it became much more popular.