This paper reports on the finding from a qualitative study which investigated how long-term
users of Traveler, a voice-based 3D online graphical environment launched in 1996 and still
running, experience their social relations in relation to this specific cue-rich communication
technology. The paper describes the subjective perceptions of the technology-mediated social
experience such as the experience of social atmosphere in the community, of online
friendship, of the meaning of the online social interaction in the users' offline lives. The paper
also discusses the importance of these subjective experiences for motivation to regularly use
Traveler. Conclusions drawn from the study suggest that it is crucial for users to have the
ability to handle the technical functions of the program in order to function socially in the
environment such as using the functions of the graphical program and using the voice channel
in a social significant way. As a result, in order to have a positive and meaningful social
experience in online it is critical for users to adapt to technical as well as to social factors.
This process of adaptation is very important since the way functions are used was interpreted
as social signals by users suggesting that social and technical aspects are intertwined in social
practice. The paper describes this process of adaptation and the positive social effects of a
successful adaptation.
2011.