Communitygods.com, a new web site that serves as a comprehensive resource for professionals in the burgeoning online community field, was launched today at VirComm after a presentation by ChatSpace, Inc., one of the venture's three industry sponsors.

What some already refer to as "a community for community," the new site -- whose whimsical URL is part of a Classical Greek theme -- offers a free networking haven for the administrators, hosts, managers and moderators who run thousands of community forums on the Internet as well as community developers, vendors, analysts, press and other interested parties. Communitygods.com will feature a detailed Who's Who Directory of professionals in community, with job listings for those seeking positions and complete information for companies looking to hire people in the field.  Monthly topics will be provided by a group of leading professionals.

Sponsored by ChatSpace, BlueBarn Interactive, and the research firm Basex, the site itself is managed by an independent council that includes Lynn Clater, former Community Development Director at CNN.com; Sandee LaMotte, Director of Community at WebMD; Blake Marlow, Head of Community for Youth Tech; Jonathan B. Spira, Chairman and Chief Analyst at Basex; Pam Thomas, Services Integration for CornerWays and Laura Zubel, Community Director Chatergy.com.

"A place to come and discuss how to make community even better than it already is?  Wonderful idea, and I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of it!" commented LaMotte, who served as director of community at CNN.com before moving to WebMD.

LaMotte and her colleagues were chosen for their depth of experience, and because they represent a broad spectrum of online communities worldwide, from mainstream media to distance learning to health care support.  Each month, members of the council will post articles relating to their area of expertise
that will provide a thread for discussion. 

Communitygods.com is a Community Forum that also contains special interest areas for discussion.  The initial areas of discussion include portal communities, enterprise communities, customer service, distance learning, youth communities and community jobs.  In addition, the site will host scheduled live chats with industry experts.

"This is a place where community professionals can communicate, share their experiences and learn from one another and about one another," noted Eric Olinger, CEO at ChatSpace.  "The field is moving and expanding so quickly that we need to compare notes, to see what works, what doesn't and where we can improve."

To celebrate the launch, Communitygods.com is giving away an all expenses paid trip for two to Greece.  Contest details are available on the site. Please feel free to visit ChatSpace Inc. at the 4th annual VirComm 2001 conference and exhibition in San Francisco, CA -- June 18 and 19, 2001.

About ChatSpace
ChatSpace, Inc. (http://www.chatspace.com), based in Carlsbad California, is a leader in the development of online community technology.  Over 10,000 Internet sites, including many of the largest online communities, look to ChatSpace for a range of software and services including chat rooms, instant messaging, email, message boards and hosting services.  The ChatSpace technology enables users to access community services in multiple languages and on a wide variety of client devices including PCs, interactive television consoles, PDAs and cell phones.

About Blue Barn Interactive
Blue Barn Interactive (BBI), a market-leading new media firm based in New York City's Silicon Alley, develops, moderates and manages customized online community solutions for entertainment, publishing, financial services, medical, and other organizations seeking to maximize the value of an online
community presence.  Founded in 1996, BBI helps clients achieve tangible business benefits from community initiatives, including planning and strategic services; technology integration and application development; data mining and business-critical reporting; and ongoing moderation and membership services. BBI clients include AOL Time Warner, Charles Schwab, Martha Stewart Living,
Showtime Networks, and MTVi Group, amongst others.

About Basex
Basex provides a wide range of research, advisory, analysis and intelligence services to Digital Economy senior management.  Founded in 1983, Basex helps leaders in the Digital Economy make intelligent and informed business decisions by offering unparalleled insight on how new and emerging technologies will impact their business strategy.  Basex is currently the only analyst firm that includes a communities track in its offerings.  Basex. What's in IT for you (TM).  More information on Basex can be found on the web at http://www.basex.com.
 

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