An Internet forum is a facility on the World Wide Web for holding discussions, or the web application software used to provide the facility. Web-based forums, which date from around 1995, perform a similar function as the dial-up bulletin boards and Internet newsgroups that were numerous in the 1980s and 1990s. A sense of virtual community often develops around forums that have regular users. Technology, computer games, and politics are popular areas for forum themes, but there are forums for a huge number of different topics .
Internet forums are also commonly referred to as web forums, message boards, discussion boards, discussion forums, discussion groups, bulletin boards (but see also dial-up bulletin boards), fora (the proper Latin plural) or simply forums.
Culture
Internet forums are prevalent in several developed countries. In terms of countable posts, Japan is far in the lead with over two million posts per day on their largest forum, 2channel. The United States does not have any one large forum, but instead several hundred thousand smaller forums, the largest of which are GameFAQs, Gaia Online, and IGN. Other countries such as China, the Netherlands, and France are also home to hundreds of independent forums. Some countries such as Finland and Sweden do not have many prevalent forums despite having open and easily available Internet access. As of yet no study has been done on the prevalence of forums in countries around the world. It is also dubious as to whether any country has its own fora, as - especially in the English language - contributors to a forum often come from outside the country in which the forum is hosted. There is often not a 1-1 relationship between languages and countries: for example, English language fora are contributed to by people all over the world, whilst Japanese language fora are likely to be contributed to only by Japanese people, but Japanese people also contribute to English language fora, so there is no 1-1 relationship between Japanese language fora and Japanese people contributing to fora.
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ADD ADHD Online Support Group - Support for adults includes messages, chat, photos, and links to additional information. [Free membership required to post.]
Meta Description: [ ADD_ADHD_Online_Support_Group: Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder ]
ADD Contact - Support forum for ADD/ ADHD sufferers, their families, and caregivers. Includes chat and photos. [Free membership required to post.]
Meta Description: [ Free, easy email groups ]
ADD Forums - Member-moderated forums for adults sufferers. Topics include general issues, relationships, careers, treatment and management, and co-existing conditions.
Meta Description: [ ADD Forums - REAL People, REAL Problems, REAL Solutions! -- The Global Communications Nexus for the ADD/ADHD Community! ]
ADDers.org - News, information and free practical help to adults, parents, and their families. Includes forums, research, stories, and a section for Scotland information.
Meta Description: [ Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Online support group ]
500ADDmirable Christian Women - Support forum includes photos, chat, and links to other ADDmirable groups. [Free membership required to post.]
Meta Description: [ ADDmirableChristianWomen: A place where Christian women with ADD/ADHD can freely discuss issues relating to ADD/ADHD and their faith. ]
ADDmirableTimes - A bi-weekly newsletter for women with Attention Deficit Disorder. Featuring articles, resources, humor, tips, advice, and support.
Meta Description: [ ADDmirableTimes: A newsletter helping ADDmirableWomen create ADDmirable Lives ]
ADDspouse - Forum for spouses and partners of adults with attention deficit disorder. Topics include medications, co-morbid conditions, therapy, and miscellaneous articles and links.
ADHD News - Provides information for adults and parents living with attention deficit disorders. Includes symptoms, treatment, diet, medications, glossary, and message boards.
Meta Description: [ ADHDNews.com is a support community for ADHD with message boards, blogs, free newsletters and articles to help your child. ]
500ADHD Refuge Support Community - Offers support and resource links for parents, educators, and adults. Forum topics include co-morbid conditions, education issues, medications, and alternative treatments.
Attention Deficit Disorder Community - Member-moderated message boards and chat dedicated to sharing information, offering support, and coping strategies for parents and adults living with ADD/ADHD.
GLADDmirable - E-mail support group for gays and lesbians with Attention Deficit Disorders. [Free membership required.]
Meta Description: [ GLADDmirable: A support list for gays and lesbians with ADD/ADHD. ]