Communities used to be defined by location. If you were a football fan, you played in the village team. If you liked acting, you joined the local amateur dramatic society. If, however, your interest was in something more specialised like numismatics or deltiology (collecting picture postcards), the only way you could join a group was by post.

The process of discovering like-minded individuals was fraught with difficulty and even getting basic information about your passion could be time-consuming and frustrating, involving locating obscure societies with quarterly photocopied newsletters and annual general meetings in London.

The web has changed all that. Many vibrant newsgroups discuss topics, exchange information and just chew the fat online: no more waiting for the post. Websites rapidly become crammed with information and advice, permanently available but continually updated.

After a lifetime of rowing in club boats, I recently started building my own. Before the internet, it was difficult to get information or plans for amateur construction. There was a show for small wooden boats in London and some further education colleges did courses, but most boatbuilders were on their own, learning from books and bitter experience.

The web has brought about a global amateur boat- building community. We have forums and newsgroups to discuss designs and construction methods online and to keep inspiration going by swapping stories of voyages.

Members log on from around the world, although the hobby seems to be concentrated mainly in the English-speaking countries and, for some unknown reason, Poland.

It is not just contact either. The web has revolutionised the supply of materials for boatbuilding. It is now possible to download plans and order materials electronically, instead of having to motor for miles to various chandleries. This year, for the first time, a meeting was held for amateurs to bring their boats, sail each other’s creations and exchange notes.

It was brought together entirely on the web, without advertising, without circulars or much organisation at all. Somehow, this never happened before the arrival of the internet. You can read about all the event at www.uk-hbbr.co.uk.