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Apple Throws Discussion Boards to the Snakes

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Where has Apple been since the second invasion of Iraq???

Recently, Apple decided to jettison its forum support team and turn over control of their heretofore well-moderated Apple Discussion Boards to customers with apparently few, if any tools to self-police or a heritage of self-governance to inform their actions in a post-dictator era.

Cooperation in online communities is the product of either strict control, well-evolved norms, customs, conventions, and self control mechanisms, or a combination thereof. Apple had strict control. They transitioned their discussion boards to self-rule without giving their customers a chance to evolve into a self-governing community, at their own pace. The result was predictable. What a pity, for Apple's customers and their shareholders.

Related post: Creating Self-Governing Online Communities.

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