what forums are out there that people actually go to, besides Lemmy?

[irelephant@lemm.ee]

Gbatemp is one.

[jjjalljs@ttrpg.network]

I used to use RPG.net a lot. They have pretty strict moderation, which keeps the place from turning into some kinds of shit holes. But you also can't tell someone they're a fool, or all Republicans are traitors. Takes some getting used to, but is probably worth it.

[uxellodunum@lemmy.ml]

Incorrect.
Technically Matrix is a protocol, and a forum client can be made. You already have some PoC social media ones.
It just so happens that most well known clients at this time and for instant messaging. But it can be much more.

[uxellodunum@lemmy.ml]

Element X is quite good now (note the X, not the classic 'Element').
Fluffychat's good too but missing VoiP.

[jadensmith@sh.itjust.works]

There are a few cannabis related ones, though activity is here or there on one or two. UK420, THCTalk, ICMag, GrowCity, etc.

[lichtmetzger@discuss.tchncs.de]

I regularly visit https://vogons.org/ to talk about retro computers.

[nooneescapesthelaw@mander.xyz]

cs rin.ru and ltt foums

[Guest]

that's interesting... I guess a forum and a chat have a lot of similar attributes. The difference is in the presentation with forum being more static appearing. What would be the reason to deploy Matrix like that instead of using a purpose-build forum software? The most obvious would be not requiring a second account.

What's PoC?

[Guest]

I am not a big fan pf matrix but I think SchlidiChat was the one I used most successfully on android.

From what I have seen a main issue with Matrix is that the protocol can be implemented in bits and pieces. Which is perfectly fair but it leads to an inconsistent user experience. The default web clients you first use to try it out will be using strong encryption settings by default but then a lot of the mobile or native desktop clients don't support encryption. So it's difficult to get going finding cross platform apps that have all the desired functionality consistently between them.

In terms of the apps, I don't think comparing matrix to lemmy is exactly fair for this reason.

[Guest]

It seems that this might be useful to add to this pile of information:

https://meta.discourse.org/t/federation-support-for-discourse/90921

[octobob@lemmy.ml]

Usually something hyper specific. This was a few years ago but I found a very bustling community forum for appliance repair. I posted a question on how to fix my oven and got very detailed answers and technical info involving the circuit board and heating element and troubleshooting steps. Unfortunately the general consensus on there is that for a lot of appliances, the board needs replaced which may or may not be available, and if it is, costs damn near what a new appliance does. Which is obviously done on purpose to drive sales.

The other one I know is my friend will participate on one for modding Toyota Yaris cars.

Bodybuilding / fitness forums are still pretty active.

All of these tend to have subreddit or Lemmy equivalents however.

[ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.com]

yes please!

[crmsnbleyd@sopuli.xyz]

You can give me your e-mail in a DM if you want an invite

[glowing_hans@sopuli.xyz]

• love2d forums: https://love2d.org/forums/
• luanti forums: https://www.luanti.org/get-involved/
• So as you see, they all seem very specific and it depends on your interest in them.
• cant be really called a forum, but it is a link aggregator on tech-news https://news.ycombinator.com/news

[kalcifer@sh.itjust.works]

OpenStreetMap Community Forum