Every day, millions of users log on to their
favorite online forums and interact with others
to get advice and discuss everything from the
latest news and trends to their hobbies to their
professions to whatever else strikes their
fancy. Administrators have to lead these
communities, deal with difficult users, and
choose moderators. Legal constraints, spammers,
and technical issues can turn the excitement of
running an online community into chaos. With the
right guidance, however, running forums can be a
pleasure. Patrick O'Keefe has spent years
developing and managing online communities. Now,
he shows readers how to make the right decisions
about every aspect of their forums, including:
choosing a name and domain name * picking the
right software * deciding on user options like
avatars and private messaging * setting
guidelines and dealing with violators * ensuring
that posts stay on topic * settling online
disputes among users * involving their users and
keeping the site interesting Managing Online
Forums is the one book that shows site owners
and administrators how to create a safe and
entertaining community that users will return to
again and again.