Which Message Board And Why?

[Kit]

Many home business owners have a website. One of the ways to grow and expand a bit is by adding a message board. Whether you have your own bulletin board or are simply a member on one, which type do you like best and why? What features do you find helpful as a member? What addins are a must if you are an admin?

Lacey

[Audrey]

Lacey,

Over the years my answer has changed. I'll provide an example. I was/am a member of a particular board. It's used to be very active with a wide variety of members.

Over the last 4-6 months, the board is now attracing mostly 22-26 year olds. It is my choice to not invest my time talking to a bunch of 20 year olds. So, I've walked away from the board.

I'm fine with a mixture of 20 year olds, and 30 year olds and ......but not a board that is all 20 year olds.

I also stay away from board where there is fighting. If I want fighting I can have that right here in my house from my own kids (big smile). So, if a community allows fighting I'm history :)

I belong to a few WAHM boards, a few scrapbooking boards, a few recipe boards and a few random boards.

I read about 5 of them daily and the rest I read when I can.

[Kit]

Good points, Audrey!

Here are my thoughts:

Admin Perspective:

One of the things I consider to be a must is some sort of spam control feature. In my opinion, they make things a lot easier when it comes to my productive time spent on the forums. I hate having to waste valuable posting time deleting inappropriate posts and/or banning spammers.

I like the extra features you can get with IPB (invision boards.) I also like the "do it yourself" ease that comes with vBulletin and phpBB.


Member Perspective:

Having categories and forums set up in a nice organized format are a must. If I have to look all over creation to find a good spot to make a particular post, I won't post much. I can say the same for forums where there are too many forums. When I feel overwhelmed with the number of places to make posts, I tend to post less.

Color is important to me as well. Since I have migraines, certain bright/neon colors and animated graphics can trigger a headache. No matter how much I want to be a part of a community, if I risk getting a migraine when I try to read, I have to put health over other things and find a different community that is easier for me to participate in.

I love a good WYSIWYG editor that allows me to easily add text in code manually as well as with nifty buttons.

Because I am a naturally friendly & bubbly person, I look for warm and welcoming forums with a nice variety of people and ideas. I don't hang around forums which continually have a fight going on or where the admins/mods are rude. Atmosphere is the determining factor in me being an active member or just passing through.

[Audrey]

Lacey,

I won't go anywhere near a forum where spam is not under control. I kill spam right here on this board at least twice a day.

As for board colors, sometimes in your profile you can adjust which colors you see. I don't believe on this board you can but on several brands of boards you can.

Again, boards change, or maybe it's me that changes. Just because I post on a board today, does not mean I'll be there tomorrow.

Really interesting question to learn what others look for.

[Lori]

I like a board that doesn't feel 'clicky'. I like to feel welcomed and a part of conversations. I never go to boards to advertise, so for me the conversation is what is valuable.

[Audrey]

Lori,

Do you have certain topics you seek out? I have a few topics that attract me like a magnet.

I love debates, but not political. For example, "should you spank your child?", or "should you snoop through your child's room?", of "should you walk away when two people are talking about someone else, or should you instead suggest they quit gossiping?" These are non political debate questions.

I also love scrapbooking, so am drawn to boards that discuss scrapbooking.

[Lori]

I'm a sucker for a good Internet Marketing or SEO discussion!

[JenniferCox]

I think the message boards are necessary when there is certain online-community circulating across the site.
I really admire phbb style.