Ethnographic and interview data from a long-term study of "NetU," a wired community and college, are used to investigate the effects of computer-mediated communication on social relationships. During the course of this research "LAN" residents of NetU are compared with a similar group of non-LAN residents who lived in the same neighborhood, but who were never connected to a local computer network known as the Fibonacci Server. This dissertation discusses collective action in a wired community. This dissertation addresses several questions: How does the use of computer-mediated communication technologies affect local neighborhood relationships? How have social networks, social capital and community involvement been affected by the rise of personal computers, the Internet, and computer-mediated communication? Will computer-mediated communication contribute to a disentanglement of American community life, or will it serve to reconnect those who are already unallied? This research demonstrates a greater involvement of NetU residents with their neighbors, friends, and family. This use of computer-mediated communication, the local area network, and the Internet is associated with high levels of in-person contact, the exchange of support, the growth of personal networks and increased community involvement. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]