Comments on: Are Message Boards a Thing of the Past?

By: oldschool

oldschool — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:12:31 +0000

@ Bill – I am convinced that forums won’t die but you have to give blogs more credit than that. There are more popular blogs than forums and they have a true following (community), not just random commenters.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:38:26 +0000

Blogs are great for people who just like to randomly comment, and tell stories. I would compare blogging to facbook while as a forum is almost like a slowed down version of instant messenger. Forums wont ever die!

By: oldschool

oldschool — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:09:01 +0000

@ Kari – I agree, people seem more likely to search a message board than a blog.

@ Murty – I understand a blog can be made private. Truly, I think that people who do that do not understand community because if you post and don’t want feedback, it’s like standing on a street corner with a megaphone and earplugs. I do agree that both will exist and have there place, but I find fewer and fewer message boards and more of them converting to blog formats for the purpose of taking advantage of Social Media.

By: Murty BVNS

Murty BVNS — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:27:23 +0000

If logins are what differentiate between message boards and blogs, blogs too can be private with logins !!! Its like saying only publicly expressed thoughts and not so secure will remain, not private ones. It is a classic debate which is not going to leave us so easy for sometime. Both the forms will remain in one form or another as long as Internet exists.

By: Kari Rippetoe

Kari Rippetoe — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:40:01 +0000

I still find that message boards serve a purpose. If there’s a specific question you need answered urgently, you can’t exactly use a blog to get an answer (unless you can find a post that addresses your specific issue). Many forums have formed tight-knit communities over the years and continue to thrive because of this. I still use forums to get some of my questions answered in a relatively short period of time.

By: oldschool

oldschool — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:07:05 +0000

@ Matt – I agree, some industries may be more inclined to use message boards, but I guess I would question whether those boards server the community, or foster community growth. I am probably not forming my question well, but then again, I am a techie at heart, what can I say

By: Matt Keegan

Matt Keegan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:33:27 +0000

In some industries both are prevalent. In aviation, I still give the edge to forums which allow pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics to exchange information. Flightinfo.com is an excellent example of a well run and popular message board community.

By: oldschool

oldschool — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:23 +0000

@ Elizabeth – I do agree that there are some industries that cater more to message boards. I am sure it’s obvious, but I should have clarified that I was referring to open forums and boards, and not boards that would be exclusive to like a paid membership.

@ Chris – Do you have any examples. To say that aren’t dying is one thing, but to say they are “booming” seems like a stretch to me.

By: Chris Estes

Chris Estes — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:51:57 +0000

I used to think the same thing. But message boards are a booming thing in some of the less technical “clicks”. I do agree that they’re a bit clunky and not the most user friendly. Not many people doing UX work on old technology.

By: Elizabeth Able

Elizabeth Able — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:27:00 +0000

You need a spot for “both.” Forums (message boards) and blogs serve two sets of purposes, some of which overlap.

I think it’s easier for a forum to become a community, and non rock star wannababes may get more of their community-related needs met in a forum.

On the other hand, you can’t beat a blog for self expression.