I was recently speaking with a technology partner about applications for online communities, and she used the term “pop-up communities.”  Since I love pop-up restaurants and pop-up Targets in the middle of Manhattan, of course my curiosity was piqued.  As it turns out, pop-up communities are the term du jour for what has been known for over a decade as online bulletin boards.  And actually, I kind of like it!   “Bulletin board” sounds a little…low tech and low engagement, but a community sounds vibrant and exciting, exactly what I’m aiming for when I conduct online research.

So in this case, I give the thumbs up to pop-up communities.   I think I’m going to start incorporating this terminology when I speak to clients about online research.