<p>A forum is an online discussion group.  It consists of conversation threads displayed in a directory structure. Logically forums are organized into a set of  categories driven and updated by group members<em>.</em></p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Post">Post</span></h3>
<p>A post is a group member submitted message enclosed into a block containing the member's details and the date and time it was submitted. Members are usually allowed to edit or delete their own posts.  are contained in topics, where they appear as boxes one after another. The first post starts the topic; this may be called the original post, or OP. Posts that follow in the topic are meant to continue discussion about that post, or respond to other replies.</p>
<h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Thread">Topic</span></h3>
<p>A  topic is a collection of posts, usually displayed – by default – from oldest to latest. A thread is defined by a title, an additional description that may summarise the intended discussion, and an opening or original post (common abbreviation 'OP', which can also mean <em>original poster</em>) which opens whatever dialogue or makes whatever announcement the poster wished. A thread can contain any number of posts, including multiple posts from the same members, even if they are one after the other.</p>
<p>A topic is contained in a forum, and is displayed in chronological order from newest to oldest, where the date is taken as the date of the last post (options to order topics by other criteria are generally available). When a member posts in a topic it will jump to the top since it is the latest updated topic.</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline">Advantages:<br /></span></h3>
<ul>
<li>Users can post announcements in the forum.</li>
<li>Users can help each other with questions about certain projects, tasks or policies.<br /></li>
<li>Users can provide feedback on each other's projects or tasks. </li>
<li>Users can read answers to previous questions that they may also have and thus get answers faster without asking the same questions again. </li>
<li>The users develop better working relationships, and have fun together. </li>
<li>Discussions are contained within a secure site reducing the chance of internal discussions being "leaked" to outside sources via email.</li>
<li>Forums are unique to each group.  You cannot share forum discussions from one group to another.</li>
</ul>
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