An Internet forum is a discussion area
on a website. Website members can post discussions and read and respond to
posts by other forum members. An Internet forum can be focused on nearly any
subject and a sense of an online community, or virtual community, tends to
develop among forum members.
An Internet forum is also called a
message board, discussion group, bulletin board or web forum. However, it
differs from a blog, the name for a web log, as a blog is usually written by
one user and usually only allows for the responses of others to the blog
material. An Internet forum usually allows all members to make posts and start
new topics.
An Internet forum is also different
from a chat room. Members in a chat room usually all
chat or communicate at the same time, while members in an Internet forum post
messages to be read by others whenever they happen to log on. Internet forums
also tend to be more topic-focused than chat
rooms.
Before a prospective member joins an Internet
forum and makes posts to others, he or she is usually required to register. The
prospective member must usually agree to follow certain online rules, sometimes
called netiquette, such as to respect other members and refrain from
using profanity. When a member is approved by the administrator or moderator of
the Internet forum, the member usually chooses his or her own user name and password. Sometimes, a password is supplied. An
avatar, or photograph or picture, supplied by the member can appear under the
member's user name in each post.
The separate conversations in an Internet
forum are called threads. Threads are made up of member-written posts. Internet
forum members can usually edit their own posts, start new topics, post in their
choice of threads and edit their profile. A profile usually lists optional
information about each forum member such as the city they are located in and
their interests.
An Internet forum administrator or
monitor may also participate in the forum. A forum administrator can usually
modify threads as well as move or delete threads if necessary. Administrators
can also usually change software items in an Internet forum. Moderators often
help the administrator and moderate Internet forum members to make sure the forum
rules are being followed.
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento