13. Online communications: forums

This is an internet based method of communication.

A forum, which is also called a 'message board' or 'bulletin board' allows you to post messages on any topic the forum owner wants to cover.

Other visitors can read the forum messages. If they wish to reply, they usually need to have an an account with the forum organiser. Forums can also be searched by keyword so older messages covering a topic can also be found.

Forums have been set up to cover almost any topic imaginable, from thimble collectors to fan-based forums.

Forums can be informal, such as one for home cinema enthusiasts or they can be for professionals such as a medical forum for doctors.

They are excellent repository of knowledge. For instance there is a forum that covers repairing cars, enter a keyword or two such as 'replacing brake light' will bring up all messages posted covering that term.