| Chapter 1: | Introduction |
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The technology also enables an actor to reach many more individuals at one time, even those s/he has no previous relationship with (King & Moreggi, 1998; Rice, 1994; Rodgers & Chen, 2005). Electronic social networks have such extensive ranges that even those in marginal groups will most likely make contact with similar others (Gauthier and Chaudoir 2004; King & Moreggi, 1998; Kling, 1996). Lastly, those who are physically disabled, very ill, or uncomfortable in public can access the highly beneficial support of similar others from home without exerting themselves or burdening someone to transport them (Avery, 1998; Cummings, Sproull, & Kiesler, 2002; Kling, 1996; Sharf, 1997).
SOL-Cancer Forum
The research site for this project is an Internet cancer support forum named SOL-Cancer (Support OnLine) Forum.10 SOL-Cancer Forum is a virtual space where those who have had cancer touch their lives exchange numerous types of support. It is an unmoderated group active since 1995 that requires only a working e-mail address for membership. The Forum is unmoderated so all messages are posted without prior review by an outside entity (adapted from the SOL-Cancer Forum online disclaimer). Archives of all messages are posted online and publicly available for viewing. The Forum contains men and women of various ages, geographic locations, stages of cancer, and relationships to cancer, for example, patient, caregiver, relative of patient, etc. All the members have had an experience with some kind of cancer; however, how and when they use the Forum for support varies greatly. There are a great number of one-time posters who send a single broadcast message, usually requesting information, and then do not post again. Conversely, there is also a group of faithful members who have posted regularly for years. They refer to themselves as SOLers and consider the SOLers a family.