This document discusses online forums and their structure and use. Forums allow for conversation in the form of posts and have a hierarchical structure that organizes discussions by topic and threads. Participants include regular users, moderators to approve posts, and administrators. Forums differ from communication tools like email lists, newsreaders, wikis, and chat rooms. They can be used to connect with others sharing common interests, attract targeted visitors, and provide a place to get referrals and access thousands of potential customers. Guidelines help ensure appropriate and helpful discussions. Businesses can use forums as a platform to answer customer queries and access industry experts.