12 replies to this topic

[AskAndrewD]

What do you think about forums? Do you think they are a waste of time? Why do you think they were originally created? Are they better than Guestbooks? What are some of the best forums you know? Where are forums mostly used in your opinion?

I think forums are mostly for people that are bored or require help. I think only under these circumstances are they not a waste of your time. I think they were created for big groups to ask questions from each other. Forums are more detailed than Guestbooks, I think. Battle.net's forum is pretty big. Forums are used in basically every website that isn't professional.

[sonesay]

Forums are a great tool for communication. Sure theres chat rooms but nothing gets saved in there. Without forumns how do you think we'd be communicating. They are able to be acess by almost anyone. When I google for a specific topic or problem it usally takes me to a forum where the topic is being discussed.

"Forums are used in basically every website that isn't professional". LOL serisouly how can you say that. There are many big companies using forums for support and documentation. Its just that forums are easy to setup by anyone with little knowledge that it looks unprofessional.

I guess what makes a forum good is if its very active and have good content. I come to forums when im bored yes but there are other reasons too like finding information.

[Jasontian]

I Think Forum is a Very good exchange community,It can share with the people ideas,Experiences...
But some forum is not...
I,m chinese,i have a forum in chinese,welcome to visit My forum!

[Casino.Royale]

I think forums are good to have. It's a place where you can meet up with new people and chat with them, get support or help if your having troubles. Sure there's always that pedophile or two but hey, there will always be them. I don't think they are a waste of time, that's just a stupid question. If I had to guess why they were created, um.. I'd guess.. So people can get fast support on questions they might have or so people can just go around and talk with others. Yes, they are much MUCH better then guestbooks, no brainer. I know lots of good forums, I visit quite often. Firstly there's Trap17 here, they offer great webhosting for just a couple of posts on their forums.. More then fair exchange in my opinion. I know a couple of general chat and graphic forums that are nice to go to. Also I have a Star Wars role-playing game that's fun cause you can pretty much let your imagination run wild. As for your last question, for meeting new people and for support.

[el109ci]

Forums are very addictive. Some are like... well drugs in a way, and some not. Some forums can lead you on, and tempt you, making you addicted, not to mention fantasizing the next time you go on...

In a way, they are a means of killing time. It's your own perspective whether you're wasting it.

Forums are mainly for generating community, I think. They're not like, facebook and myspace, which is just a one on one, unless you're in a group. Even then you're in a tight, compacted space, whereas Forums have the freedom to gallivant around.

As I specialise in RPG forums, I have to be biased, and go with them. Although, simple community, help forums such as this, are great as well.

Forums... mainly used for fun, isn't it? Role-Play, Help, Support ect.

Yes, mainly people are bored, and happen to stumble by one, and then get addicted.

I personally think they're great!

[Bluebear]

I believe forums is a good thing. You can get to know people from various countries and different parts of the world. You can gain knowledge, (and maybe loose some.) learn new things and discuss your opinions with other people. It is a great thing. Support, help and tell people about yourself and your own life, and find out more about the other people on the board. You can show of your works, and get or give help to others that would like to make something. A website, a game, write a good story... anything! It is wonderful.

[xpress]

Forums are very good place to share your knowledge, your feelings, solve your problem, asking an advice
simply everything and anything. Even though there are some backdrops with it they are negligible.
You can easily find similar minded people here and share your opinions with them. Because everything
is open here. So, if you like something you can post. If not just skip it. That's all. That's why I like online
forums very much.

[PhyberOptycs]

I think forums are extremely great. They keep a community of people together in one place, but also provides the organization needed.
I will agree with you that forums are a place where people who are bored come to, or people who need help, as they can ask us questions.
Practically every website has a forum. Why? I don't know, maybe it is used as a fan storage area, to keep all the fans from wreaking havoc. ( Last sentence is my imagination talking. )

[bishoujo]

I used to have guestbooks, and I found them to be quite useless. Guestbooks generally facilitate one-way communication. It's good if you just want feedback, but forums allow two-way communication between many people. Popular forums are especially great ways to get help quickly, especially when may helpful souls with expertise swarm you with solutions. It's better than waiting for one person to get back to you with the answer.

[sheepdog]

I think forums are great, at least if you find the right forum for your specific needs. Many forums on the internet are run over with morons and trouble makers who just like to stir the pot, but if you get a really good group of people together they can be wonderful. Take for example one of the dog breeder boards I am on. We often get animal rights wacko's posting and tring to start fights, but the board has been around for a very long time, most of the people actually know each other, we have various levels for memebership and you do have to sign up, so it is not hard to weed out the trouble makers. It is a great place to go to discuse any of the MANY topics related to dog breeding, a great place to go for question, comments, to help other breeders, and to get help when you need it. And since we pretty much know each other, it also is a very good place to go for just plain old moral support. There are people there that have gone threw what may be giving you heartache and can sympathise and console you when you need a friend. It is also a great communication tool. We have breeders from all over the country, and if issues come up it is a fast way to get the information out there to the people that can do something about it. Animal rights nut jobs are always trying to pass various new laws that would make pet ownership more difficult, and in many cases, an absolute breach of your constitutional rights of ownership and privacy. We get the word out and can write letters to the congressmen and others to voice our concerns, and don't let things get slipped by us without a fight.