The site that I want to describe is called almaty.kz (http://www.almaty.kz). It’s official site about Almaty and all that is combined with this beautiful city. First of all, the site’s symbol is an apple that is considered as the symbol of Almaty. How you know Almaty in Kazakh term means the apple. Secondly, we see that this site includes all information about Almaty, for example, the map, and the history, and events of the city, also the addresses of all cultural organizations. It can be very useful for people who came from other countries and cities to see Almaty. This site is given in Russian and Kazakh languages that can be very comfortable for the businessman and quests of Almaty from CIS. But in some ways, I think that that it should be also in English. Because Almaty is considered as the South capital of Kazakhstan and a long time was the only biggest and developing cities in Kazakhstan. And still this time the quests from the countries of European Union, US, and other bid and small countries came to Almaty as the central business city.

 Also this site includes hot news that is related to Almaty and the advertisements of some companies that sponsored this site. The link that was especially interested is the forum with the official of Almaty. The citizens can ask the questions about their problems such as the social security, the constructions and the demolitions of old houses and the help to poor people, etc. In these forums the visitors can discuss with others not only with officials about the problems and share their opinions and experiences with other Internet users. In the link “Hit Questions” the visitors should only register their user name and password.

 As participatory journalism this site gives much newsworthy information not only for citizens but also for the quests of the city. The users of this site can recognize about the political and economical conditions of the city and country.

This site is the good example of participatory journalism because their information and news very useful for the Internet users. It includes interesting news and stories that can be link between users and site administrators. But I think that it should be more widespread along the citizens of Almaty and other cities. And I want to see how many cities of Kazakhstan have site like this. But unfortunately I did not find anything relevant to this site. It is very unpleasant that other cities don not have like this site because it can be very helpful to send their opinions and questions by the Internet.

There are two types of communication: physical (interaction) and virtual (online). In the first case, people interact with each other actually; they can see and touch each other. They communicate and share their ideas in real life. In the second case, a group of people that primarily interact via communication media such as newsletters, telephone, email or online social networks rather than face to face, for social, professional, educational or other purposes.

Two years ago I studied in Kazakh-Turkish economic college about four years. We had to live in a dormitory five days a week. I shared my room with another five girls from my class. The first time it was very hard to live with strangers. But after some time we learned to understand and support each other in difficult time. We noticed that we had similar interests and ideas. Even after graduation we continue to support our relationship because we form a small community with common problems and concerns.

It was an example of the physical community. But I have also virtual community in online networking. I always visit site which is called “Мой Мир” (My World). It includes different kinds of entertainment for visitors. I like to participate in chartrooms, forums, and to share my opinion with others. Usually I feel myself very open with unfamiliar person in Internet because I’m not afraid of being identified.

Of course, my community has strength and weak sides. The strength side is communication with interesting people who are very close to me. Next it motivates me to develop my skills to be a leader. And I always know that I have friends that can help me every time. The weak side is if we have similar interest in one thing we there is still disagreements.