Blanchard defines Virtual settlement as a “virtual place in which people interact,” which is identified by its postings structure and content. Real life settlements and communities are not set in stone they can be altered, this is the same for Virtual settlements, you don’t have to stay within that settlement. Within the online world their isn't a need to give your real identity, it’s easier to leave a settlement whether it is a virtual community or a virtual group than it is in real life. Real life settlements there appears to be a more intense emotional bond with people of a community than the virtual ones previously discussed. Within a virtual settlement posting are similar to real settlement conversations of peoples opinions, but for virtual settlements whether virtual groups or virtual communities interactions are different to real life this is mainly because immediate response isn’t necessary.
The term virtual settlement is good because it gives the impression of interaction between people as in real life. However I find the concept complicated to grasp because the word settlement gives the impression that something is permanent, this isn’t true for online communities that you can easily leave because there are no restriction online.
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The point is surely that some longevity and continuity is necessary for an online network to be a "settlement", but it isn't sufficient to be a community. The metaphor draws upon wht we know (or think we know) about places IRL. A settled collection of people doesn't constitute a community (however, nowadays some argue that most western 'communities' IRL consist of little more). Hence the notion of virtual 'rebirth' of community online -leading to offshoots of stronger community's IRL.
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