I'm an internet studies researcher at Syracuse University studying the local blogging phenomenon and writing a book chapter on the topic, focusing on OP as a case study. In late March I visited Chapel Hill and Carrboro and conducted a series of interviews with about 14 contributors to the site. I would like to expand the net of participants in my study to include more readers/lurkers, and others who post and comment.
I am interested in hearing feedback on the following questions:
1. Why do you participate in this site (whether as reader or contributor)?
2. Has your participation changed your ideas about local politics or your community in general?
3. Have you taken any direct actions or made any decisions based upon your participation in the site?
4. Describe instances in which your life in the community has been affected by events played out in the site.
5. What new role if any does the site play in the local community and the lives of its residents?
