Farmers Use Web Forums to their Advantage

Going along with our discussion regarding online communities, I came across an interesting article on CNN, which you can access here http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/internet/02/12/online.farmers.ap/index.html. The article talks about how an increasing number of farmers are using forums to help them increase productivity and run a more successful farm. Apparently, as of 2005, 51% of farms have Internet access even though 2/3 of them use a dial-up modem. So it would seem that they are not using the most advanced technology available (DSL, Cable, fiber-optics), but they are still using the Internet to help advance their professions. This story is another testament to the good that can come out of forums in that sense that these farming forums have saved many farmers across America money, time, and embarrassment.

When used correctly (not abused or rife with spam/flame wars for example), forums provide a venue where people from all different places can benefit and where all can become more prosperous. I do wonder, however, what this will do to farming competition and how it will affect consumers. Not all people would like to see their competition becoming more prosperous than them so it will be interesting to see how this turns out. All in all, though, it is a good thing when online communities are used for beneficial means.