What's the point of forums?

[VinnyVideo]

I still like forums. I'm posting on one, after all!

I like the asynchronous nature of forums - you can post on your own time and on your own terms. Even if a conversation happens while you're working or sleeping or away from working Internet, it's not unnatural to reply in a few days later. With a fast-paced chat group, if a fun conversation happens while you're away, it's weird to try to revive it after people have moved on to another topic.

Forums offer much better search capabilities than most chat groups or social media sites, which is nice when you're looking for useful resources. I also like that forum posts tend to be longer and better thought-out than Discord/IRC conversations, although I don't want forums to be overly formal either.

I also like that most forums run on free open-source software, since I understand exactly how they work and what information they're storing. Also, nonprofit communities like MFGG are more concerned about having fun than making a buck - I don't have a lot of faith in big commercial social networks like Facebook or Twitter to keep personal data secure or refrain from bombarding me with spammy e-mails every day.

Also, the hyperactive part of me is less likely to be distracted by checking a forum twice a day than I am if I'm checking a Discord group constantly.

Course clear! You got a card.