Forums
Similar in a way to blogs, we are always being asked the difference. Blogs allow for an idea to be presented by an author with commentary on the post from the audience. Forums on the other hand, foster discussion with the back and forth of a tennis game. Unlike a blog, where the concept seems mainly owned by the poster, a forum topic is owned by the community with entries generally being answers or opinions shared on equal footing. If the purpose of your post is to foster discussion around a relatively short question or concept, forums are the preferred method.
Members can browse group and community forums; search the content; attach files and documents to posts; and rate posts. Those creating a forum post can choose to make it a sticky or announcement or leave it as a post (permission allowing). Community members may be assigned to moderate forums. They can choose their favorites by rating forum posts and can even view the top posters.
Members can stay abreast of forum topics by reading RSS of specific forums and subscribing to daily forum digests and specific threads.
Forum Features:
- Browse group and community forums
- Search forum content
- Add a sticky, announcement or post to a forum
- Attach files and documents to posts
- Moderate forums as a community member
- Read RSS of specific forums
- Rate forum posts
- View top posters
- Subscribe to daily forum digest and specific threads