Finding and Discussion

In this chapter, the study first conducts the overview of the research findings from the PTT and Facebook site. Second, this study will explore some implication and insight based on the results of network analysis, and the research contribution. Finally, the limitations and directions will be discussed as well.

5.1 Finding and Discussion

Based on the previous research questions, this study developed a complete research process to explore the phenomenon on PTT and Facebook site. The information diffusion existed through discussions on the sites. From the initial articles posted to the final function roles responded, these sites have developed their particular networks. PTT site is coaxial radiate-shaped, and Facebook site is ring-shaped. PTT site is greater than Facebook site for increment of the users and articles.

The function roles of posts, comments, arrows and reposts have deep influence on the PTT site, especially for the active members and attractive articles. In contrast to the Facebook site, the post is the HTC official who has the most influence to the members for the posting limitation.

The following analysis of the social network sites indicated the difference between the PTT and the Facebook site.

5.1.1 Sample of these two sites

This study took these two sites as the main comparison based on the same interest-oriented community and the data collecting period. Because the characteristics of these sites significantly differ from each other, the PTT site is greater than the Facebook site for the increasing scale of users and discussion.

Also, the discussions of HTC-XE question as the most parts for the functions of products, telecommunication fees and so on.

5.1.2 The Degree, Indegree and Outdegree analysis of these two sites 1. Degree analysis of these two sites users wanted to connect with others, they must pass through the article posted by HTC official. Therefore, it will decrease the rate of information transmitted.

Observed from the figures of PTT and Facebook site in five months, the network activities of PTT is more complex than that of Facebook site, and the information diffusion rate of PTT is also greater than that of Facebook site.

2. Indegree analysis of these two sites

Indegree usually presents the posted articles by the users on PTT site, and the result of the degree analysis is similar. Because the top twenty nodes are

repeated, the top node of Indegree behaved in five months, the inward centrality becomes lower over time and the users increase significantly. If the numeric of Indegree is higher, the article is more popular.

The highest node Indegree is HTC official on Facebook, whose Indegree behaved in five months, the inward centrality becomes steady over time and users increase. It means that the site users have little interaction through the articles posted by HTC over time.

3. Outdegree analysis of these two sites

Outdegree usually presents interacting with others through articles posted by the users on PTT site, so the higher Outdegree are not only the posts, but also other roles. The top node of Outdegree behaved through five months, the outward centrality becomes lower and steady over time and the users increase significantly. If the numeric of Outdegree is higher, the users may be interested in the article with various topics.

The top three of Outdegree are repeated with the degree and Indegree on Facebook, which may be caused by the limitation of posting. The highest Outdegree of node is HTC official whose Outdegree behaving through five months, the outward centrality becomes steady over time and the users increase.

It means that the site users also have little interaction through articles posted by HTC over time.

5.1.3 Betweenness analysis of these two sites

Betweenness is usually used to conduct relationships with others to go through the target nodes.

On PTT site, the higher Betweenness includes the top node comments, posts, reposts and arrows. The behalf of the highest Betweenness node through

five months become higher and steady over time and the users increase. If the numeric of Betweenness is higher, the users may be active in the articles of different topics.

In contract to the Facebook site, the highest Betweenness is also the HTC official for the limitation that only HTC official can post articles on Facebook site, whose behalf of Betweenness through five months, the numeric of Betweenness becomes steady over time and the users increase. From these analyses, in the Facebook community, the HTC has the dominant power of information transporting absolutely.

5.1.4 Structure holess analysis of these two sites

Because most of the nodes are located in the low Indegree and Outdegree relatively on PTT site to form many Structure holess, the best way of information transmission is to target the nodes of larger efficient size, then lead to spreading the information diffusion more rapidly and effectively for its owned resources, such as reputation, professional knowledge, information attainability and so on.

On Facebook site, HTC official is higher than others for its posting limitation. The numeric of efficient size is higher than others as showed previously. It means that the good way of spreading is the articles posted by HTC official.