Wiki
Forums
Forums are for discussing a topic with a large group - they're the internet equivalent of a public meeting. Anything you post to a forum can be seen by a lot of people, and they can respond.
A forum is usually divided into one or more boards, places where members can start or reply to threads of conversation. Whenever a thread is created or replied to, that thread is pushed to the top of the board. This is so that the most active (and probably most interesting) conversations are easiest to find. Over time old threads sink down the board and make way for new conversations.
Forums are different from blogs, which are made by one person to discuss whatever they feel like, and from wikis, which allow a group of people to co-author a store of information.
Because so many people can join a forum discussion, it's likely you'll disagree with some of them. That's fine, argument and debate are what make forums interesting - if everyone agreed there would be nothing to talk about. This all well enough fine so long as most people:
- are polite - no name calling, unnecessary strong language
- aren't bigots - no racism, sexism, homophobia
- stay on topic - if you want to talk about something else, start another thread
- assume good faith - different people see things differently, and that includes manners and social norms. If someone screws up, they probably didn't mean to.
It's fine to point out a flaw in someone else's argument, to dispute a point of fact or to contrast values and opinions, just to long as you do so politely, patiently and with respect for other people. Respecting other people is not the same as respecting whatever crazy ideas they might entertain, remember the difference between "that's crazy" and "you're crazy", and between "that's wrong" and "you're wrong". No argument ad hominem.
Some people are bored, insecure or stupid and will post anything at all to a forum to try and bait a response from people. Usually something offensive or divisive, to try and start a flame war or to upset someone. Such people are called trolls, and it is important not to respond to them. Just ignore them or report their post to an admin. If you reply, or become upset, they've won.
Q: I think there should be another board about subject X, can I create one?
A: usually you should just start a new thread in an existing board. If you really believe a new board would improve the forums. You can pm an admin, or start a new thread in an existing board to petition for it.
Stats to include, most active users in last month, number of threads and replies, board ranking, post frequency, timechart.
