White & Le Cornu (2011) outline the definition of internet Visitors and Residents in their article “Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement”. Essentially, Visitors are anonymous and invisible users within the servers hosting websites online. An example of a Visitor would be the user of online news sources and websites not requiring personalized accounts to access. When this user leaves those servers no digital footprint remains. By contrast, a Resident interacts with and shapes the spaces they navigate through by content posting and sharing. When a Resident leaves the space “an aspect of their person remains” (White & Le Cornu, 2011).
As noted in my attached Visitor and Resident Map I spend most of my time online as a Resident. I am constantly leaving behind information or contributions as I navigate the internet and internet supported applications and networks.
For more information on Visitors and Residents please check out David Whites’ YouTube video below.
Enjoy the rest of your day!