78 votes

Forums are still alive, active, and a treasure trove of information

15 comments

  1. skybrian
    Link
    This directory lists hundreds of Internet forums by subject.

    This directory lists hundreds of Internet forums by subject.

    18 votes
  2. davek804
    Link
    I appreciated references to so many forums I've spent time on over the years. I'd definitely say they've slowed down, as opposed to the deal being exclusively the expansion of the rest of the 'net...

    I appreciated references to so many forums I've spent time on over the years. I'd definitely say they've slowed down, as opposed to the deal being exclusively the expansion of the rest of the 'net as the author suggested at the jump.

    Fun scroll!

    13 votes
  3. [6]
    teaearlgraycold
    Link
    Does Tildes count as a forum? Threads are generally based around a link, but other than that the site feels like a forum.

    Does Tildes count as a forum? Threads are generally based around a link, but other than that the site feels like a forum.

    9 votes
    1. [3]
      Exellin
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      No I think a big aspect of forums is that all replies are ordered by time and are at the same level, instead of being able to sort by relevance, votes, etc. That somewhat forces users to read...

      No I think a big aspect of forums is that all replies are ordered by time and are at the same level, instead of being able to sort by relevance, votes, etc.

      That somewhat forces users to read through everything before adding a comment. There also can't be any highly nested conversions.

      I know tildes also has a comment box at the bottom to try and get people to read other replies first, but it still feels very different than a forum.

      It's kind of like a forum is a giant town square where everyone takes their turn talking, and a link aggregate site like tildes is like a cocktail party where people break off into groups, but you are free to move between groups.

      11 votes
      1. parsley
        Link Parent
        Also forums usually have specific topics they are about, like a hobby or product. It prefilters the audience so even if one browses off-topic subforums, the people talking there still (mostly)...

        Also forums usually have specific topics they are about, like a hobby or product. It prefilters the audience so even if one browses off-topic subforums, the people talking there still (mostly) share a common interest.

        8 votes
      2. Sapholia
        Link Parent
        There have been forums that nest replies into threads (but they're still shown in a fixed order), but the phpBB style is the most popular by far.

        There have been forums that nest replies into threads (but they're still shown in a fixed order), but the phpBB style is the most popular by far.

        4 votes
    2. raze2012
      Link Parent
      I'll go against the grain and suggest that it can be a forum. The main aspects are longer form discussion a focus on a specific topic, or sections based on specific topics creation of topics,...

      I'll go against the grain and suggest that it can be a forum. The main aspects are

      1. longer form discussion
      2. a focus on a specific topic, or sections based on specific topics
      3. creation of topics, often user-created (but it's technically possible to facilitate discussion based on the moderator's choice of posts. Very uncommon, though).

      The nested design is really more of a visualization than a core structure. If your forum supports quote notations, you can (relatively) easily modify the webpage to turn that into a nested forums

      Now is Tildes a forum? It's still a bit complicated. TIldes can be structured to be a forum, but the default experience is that you are opted into all of the sections by default. So odds are all sections will have the same community. Which can make this more of a general aggregator than a specific topic.

      6 votes
    3. Tuaam
      Link Parent
      I wouldn't say it does, but it seems to facilitate the same level of discussion that Forums had, which means longer conversational posts.

      I wouldn't say it does, but it seems to facilitate the same level of discussion that Forums had, which means longer conversational posts.

      3 votes
  4. chocobean
    Link
    Anyone know of a good forum for lab grown / synthetic gems, and one for rockhounding? I currently lurk at the other site and grudgingly use Faceboo, but I'd rather not if possible.

    Anyone know of a good forum for lab grown / synthetic gems, and one for rockhounding? I currently lurk at the other site and grudgingly use Faceboo, but I'd rather not if possible.

    8 votes
  5. [4]
    AugustusFerdinand
    Link
    This list isn't exhaustive by any means, but that car list (and the author admits that he isn't a car person or even owns one) is woefully underrepresented.

    This list isn't exhaustive by any means, but that car list (and the author admits that he isn't a car person or even owns one) is woefully underrepresented.

    7 votes
    1. Habituallytired
      Link Parent
      So is crafting. There are so many more forums, especially for sewing, knitting, baking, etc. that he's just missed.

      So is crafting. There are so many more forums, especially for sewing, knitting, baking, etc. that he's just missed.

      4 votes
    2. [2]
      EsteeBestee
      Link Parent
      Yeah, it's missing our lord and savior, miata.net

      Yeah, it's missing our lord and savior, miata.net

      2 votes
  6. sandaltree
    Link
    I used to spend a lot of my time on language learning and book forums (nowadays just occasionally), surprised there are none mentioned here. Wanikani and LearnNative especially.

    I used to spend a lot of my time on language learning and book forums (nowadays just occasionally), surprised there are none mentioned here. Wanikani and LearnNative especially.

    6 votes
  7. Tuaam
    Link
    Some of my best Internet memories were from accessing and posting on the Lego MessageBoards and the MinecraftForums, both of which have somewhat faded into obscurity. Well, MinecraftForums is...

    Some of my best Internet memories were from accessing and posting on the Lego MessageBoards and the MinecraftForums, both of which have somewhat faded into obscurity. Well, MinecraftForums is around, LMB was shut down in 2014 due to the appeal of a kids space being too over-moderated (You needed your posts to be manually approved by a moderator before being shown).

    I can definitely vouch for DoomWorld and Vogons, both are excellent.

    5 votes