Forums

Forums

A forum is a web application used for information and opinion discussion on the Internet. Here, everywhere users post their ideas and knowledge in order to treat several topics from their computers. This online discussion comes from the previous BBS (Bulletin Board System) and Usenet. One user or the moderator presents a topic and other members publish their opinions, questions, answers or even start the discussion of another related topic. There can be several forums in the same platform.

We can find forums were anonymous contributions are allowed, however, others require the user’s registration with a nickname and a password. Once you have accessed the forum, the debate has to be calm and peaceful. This is why there are appointed administrators and moderators. The first one controls all technical aspects and can even choose the topic for discussion of each forum. Moderators are in charge of assuring that norms are followed, such as avoiding confrontation between participants, or erasing spam. Only this staff can modify the messages that are published by the community.

Contributions are posted frequently and they are organized chronologically. However, answers to previous messages may include also the message they are answering to. The information exchanged doesn’t have to be done simultaneously as in instant messaging.

There is a section for new members that aren’t familiarized with the system, called FAQ (Frequently asked questions) where any doubts can be solved.

Members can also send private messages to each other, which allows them to establish a more personal contact, and to talk about other subjects that differ from the ones in the forum.

One disadvantage of this time of application is that member have to visit them to see if new posts have been published, however, some offer the possibility of email notification. Another way of being informed about changes and new posts is the RSS.

Forums have developed very quickly during the past years, and many sites include them so the users can publish their opinions and solve doubts about aspects of the web page. The special features that are being included to forums, such as private messaging, makes sometimes forums a substitution to other social networks, such as Facebook. However, it is in the Internet forums where people care more about the format and the content of the information they are publishing.

Created: 18/12/09

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