Forums

toc =**General Information**=

Forums in the World Wide Web are webpages for holding discussions about general and specific topics. They are similar to bullentin boards but are different from blogs and wikis. Some forums do not require the set up of a user account to view but will require the user to set up an account for posting. There are are websites that offer a list of categories of interests and topics and there are websites that are focused on a specific topic. Popular forums topics are technology, computer games and politics. There are a range of different forums. Users can upload and share files also. Users are able to voice their opinions on these forums. Advanced users of some forums have greater knowledge on the topics and are able to answer questions posted by other users. Forums are a great way to meet people with the same interest and share their opinions and knowledge.

=Composition of a Forum=

A forum is composed of a number or member written threads. Each thread is the users opinion on question of the topic. The threads are saved on the website for later retreival and reading. They remain on the board unless the message is offensive then the moderator takes it off. There is a hit counter, it shows the time of the last post and the number of replies. The name of the user who started the new thread will also be on screen.

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 * Culture

Internet forums are most common in most developed countries. The largest forum in the world is 2channel, a Japanese site. Small forums are ofteb based around a single subject. Usually, there is an "off-topic" forum where users can post any items they find interesting or play "forum games". Larger Internet forums are in general more subject to public conflicts between users, catch phrases, and private jokes. Like other forms of online communication, Internet forums are home to many heated exchanges and rivalries. Often, administrators and moderators ask users to csnform to netiquette; if they leave a forum unmoderated it may degenerate and become useless for discussion. However, some forums allow only selective postings effectively censoring information even though the posts might have followed netiquette and were in good spirit. This is especially true of team/country specific forums that do not wish to see a different viewpoint of the same topic/post. =**Here are a list of interesting forums.**=

[|Howard Forums] This is a forum on mobile phones in Toronto, Canada. There is a category where users can post to sell, buy or trade cellular phones. There are a few general topics not related to mobile phones and are listed at the bottom of the website.

[|Bape Talk] This is a forum on a clothing line called A Bathing Ape. This is a very interesting website because it is very specific about a brand. There is also a sell, buy and trade category. Members who post are usually very familiar with the brand and can tell whether the piece of clothing posted is authentic of fake. Therefore, people would rarely post fake pieces to sell because other members will quickly post a reply to it.

[|Uwants] Uwants is a Chinese forum. There are a lot of categories to choose from. There is also a search engine to search for popular websites or to search within uwants. Chinese and Japanese people are heavy users on forums and a lot of times would depend on forums to look for particular goods such as music downloads, homework help and selling and buying of goods and services.

[|RedFlagDeals] Red Flag Deals is a Canadian bargain forum. Users post up deals, coupons, freebies and features to let viewers be aware of the deals in the stores and restaurants.

[|Nintendo] This is the Nintendo forum where users trade cheats and discuss about Nintendo games. Users help each other by answering questions regarding about the games and how tos.

[|Crafters] Crafters is a forum where "crafy hipsters share clever ideas."

[|Fashion Forums] Fashion forums is a place where users can gather to discuss anything from fashion trends to celebrities to designers to their latest purchases.

[|MakeupAlley] An online community of people discussing topics ranging from makeup, fashion, food, weddings and everyday chit-chat. The forum contains hundreds of reviews of beauy and everyday products, profiles, picture searches, product swapping, etc.

[|Specktra] A forum for all things makeup. Starting off being specifically about MAC Cosmetics makeup, Specktra has not broadened its topics to other makeup lines, and even a forum for general topics. Topics such as tips, tricks, reviews, advertising, swapping, etc. are included.

=**References:**=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forums

=Other Links=

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