Building and Maintaining an Online Forum

Setting up a forum is fairly easy. There's loads of free forum software, most hosting accounts come with an easy forum install option. So, that shouldn't be a problem.

Integration with your web site is easy too. Just add a hyperlink to your forum home page in your main navigation bar and upload.

However, I do have a cautionary tale to tell.

Around 5 years ago I set up a forum called "AskJack". If you use the Wayback Machine and input http://www.askjack.co.uk/ you'll probably see a cached version. It seems unbelievable now, but feedback forums were at the leading edge of cutting edge technology at that time and many sold for millions of pounds/dollars.

To start off with it was good fun answering all the crazy questions and resulting arguments. Then it got to be hard work. The site was repeatedly bombarded by spammers, hackers, crackers and just plain lunatics. As the forum administrator I was held legally responsible for content displayed. Eventually, I killed the forum and moved on to other things that actually made me money. It is incredibly time consuming to maintain a forum.

If you want to make "a rod for your own back" then by all means start a forum.If you want to make money and have time to enjoy it, there's lots of other blog add-ons and ways to achieve that aim.

Here's some of today's best HOLIDAY articles submitted to Liberated Press Releases and Other FREEInformation:


Northern Cyprus Holidays By:-Derek BothTaking holidays in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus offers vacationers outstanding natural beauty that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world.
Take Control of Your Weight Loss this Holiday Season By:-Kathryn LivelyEnjoy the holidays, but don't overdo. Self-control and a focus on family helps curb the holiday stuffing.
Don't Drown Your Food By:-Kathryn LivelyCondiments are complimentary, but can too much be too much for your diet?
The New Elmo TMX for Christmas By:-Gerald MeyerThe new TMX Elmo, Fisher-Price's Twenty-First Century version of the furry red preschooler, has quickly surpassed the original in popularity. Tickle Me Elmo was one of the most difficult to find toys during the 1996 Christmas shopping season and now Elmo TMX is one of the hottest toys of 2006.
Phuket: An Amazing Scuba Diving Location By:-Jose RosselloFor those to wish to visit a wonderful scuba diving location, Phuket has all the right ingredients for a perfect diving holiday.
A Globetrotter's Guide To Budapest By:-Matt DaviesA brief guide to the background and must-see attractions of the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
Ocean City, MD - East Coast Vacation Jem By:-Matthew KekelisCrab capitol of the East coast - Ocean City, MD is a great place to relax on vacation.
Top Ten Travel Tips By:-Matt DaviesPlanning for and travelling to a trip abroad can be tiring and stressful. To help relieve those holiday worries we've put together our top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most of your time away.
Renting a Car Online is Quick and Easy By:-Jamie TonInformation about car rental.
Travel to Morocco for Exciting Holidays Abroad By:-Martin KleisTake in the spender of Majestic Morocco, visiting cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat, whilst enjoying your vacation, and then travel down the Western Sahara to Mauritania.
Caribbean Island Profiles - Anguilla Beaches By:-James PennAnguilla is located in the Caribbean Sea, the northern most island in the Leeward Island chain. It's nearest neigbour to the south is St. Martin/Sint Maarten. It has a population of just 12000 inhabitants, is sixteen miles long and three miles wide at its widest point.
Planning your Caribbean Golf Vacation the Simple Way By:-James PennThe Caribbean is the destination to look out for the sun & sand lovers. Home to splendid beaches & palm groves, Caribbean also boasts of numerous enviable golf resorts.
The Perfect All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation By:-James PennThere are many all inclusive Caribbean vacation packages that are available to tourists worldwide. The typical cost of an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation can range between $700 and $1000 per person for a four-day trip. There are many options that are offered by travel agents and you should browse your options thoroughly before making a decision.
The Perfect Accomdations in the Caribbean By:-James PennThe choice of specific holiday destinations vary usually depending on the special area of interest that lies behind the decision to take up the trip. One may want to go to various places for vacations. Different people have different interests behind vacations- be it partying, diving or snorkeling, nature, or wedding.
Northern Cyprus Holidays Onar Village By:-Derek BothWhen visiting North Cyprus, you will want make your stay the best it can be. Staying at Onar Village is the perfect choice for your visit.
Top 10 Women's Wide Width Holiday Shoes By:-Maya MatthewsWide fitting shoes that are stylish are hard to come by, especially if you do not know where to look! This article guides women with big and wide feet to my 10 most favorite shoes, which look great, are perfect for the Christmas holiday season, and which are available in wide, hard to find sizes.
Travel to Thassos, Greece and Escape the Stress of Everyday Life By:-Martin KleisFor a more relaxed vacation, Thassos in Greece is an ideal location. The feeling of serenity and solitude is never far away and it is definitely a place for those who want to relax and get away from the stress of everyday life.
Travel to Indonesia - A Country of Thousands of Beautiful and Exotic Islands By:-Martin KleisThere really is something for everyone in Indonesia, with plenty of activities to keep you occupied, lots of history to immerse yourself in, well worn trails of previous generations of travellers or Islands where you can lose yourself and make you feel like you were Robinson Crusoe!
Experience a Mediterranean Delight by visiting The Maltese Islands By:-Martin KleisIf you are looking for clear blue waters, a warm and sunny climate, a location steeped in history, lots of things to see and do, then the Maltese Islands is the perfect place for you. Malta and its surrounding islands has everything you want, no matter what you are interested in.
The Hidden Jewel of the Greek Islands By:-Martin KleisFind the hidden jewell of Samothraki in Greece. This small egg shaped Island is one of the most beautiful and diverse Islands in Greece, but is still not on the beaten tourist route. It is relatively hard to get to and there is no package holiday resorts on the Island, making this an unspoilt oasis of paradise.
Hanukkah - The Festival of Lights By:-Adam BarnettHanukkah is a wonderful season celebrating the victory of the Maccabees in reclaiming Jerusalem and the Temple, and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. This beautiful family festival is a wonderful opportunity to gather friends and family, light menorahs, play games, do some hanukkah crafts, sing songs, and celebrate this Festival of Lights!
Northern Cyprus Restaurants And Bars Guide By:-Julia RamyalgGoing to Northern Cyprus for your next vacation? Read about the best and most popular restaurants and bars to have a really stunning vacation.
Stratford-Upon-Avon This is England at its Finest By:-Ann CoveneyA visit to Stratford will take you to the heart of the area known as the Cotswolds renowned for its rolling gentle hills and distinctive Cotswold stone buildings. To quote the bard, I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.
Holiday Plus Size Clothing Store Guide By:-Maya MatthewsAn article guiding plus size women to the right stores to go to in order to satisfy their Christmas Holiday shopping needs. Whether you are a teen or a mature plus size lady, refer to this article to find the right plus size clothing store for you.
Malta Looking Hot For 2007 Property Price Rises By:-Roger MunnsOne of the top areas for property investment next year could be the Mediterranean island of Malta. The arrival of new low cost flights could help see double digit property inflation in 2007.
Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The Town Remains Mostly Unspoilt with Fine Examples of Elizabethan Buildings in a Picturesque Setting By:-Ann CoveneyTo quote the bard himself, I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it. A visit to Stratford will take you to the heart of the area known as the Cotswolds renowned for its rolling gentle hills and distinctive Cotswold stone buildings. Steeped in history and folklore, dotted with quaint villages and churches, dry stone walls and village greens, this is England at its finest.
AskLiz the Ultimate Article and Search Directory By:-Jack CoveneyAskLiz aims to provide short, informative articles on a range of everyday topics. Use the links below to explore each topic or use the handy search box to search the Internet.
Simply Shofars - A Natural Item with a Beautiful Sound By:-Adam BarnettThis article is about the history of the shofar and how it is used today. The shofar is a common item in both the Jewish and Christian worlds and this article will give the needed general information about the Shofar.
Hanukkah - The Dreidel Game, Hanukkah Crafts & Fun for Kids By:-Adam BarnettHanukkah (also spelt Chanukah) would not be complete without playing the dreidel game, eating gelt, making chanukah crafts with your children, and buying some of those wonderful new hanukkah toys now available online on judaica gift shops! Read on to learn how to play the Dreidel Game, what other hanukkah toys are available, and much more!
Photography Business: How To Generate Leads By:-Lori OsterbergMany photography businesses use direct marketing with postcards as a part of their promotional strategy. Learn how to go the next step, and make each campaign even more profitable.
Ebook & Software Master Resale Rights - 5 Reasons Why People Fail By:-Tahir ShahArticle looks at 5 key reasons why people fail with an ebook and software master resale rights business.
Five Tips to Keep Families Healthy and Strong - Even with Challenging Children By:-christopher auerA published author provides five tips to keep families healthy and strong during the busy holiday season.
Unique Christmas Gift - For That Special Person In Your Life By:-Eddie LambChristmas is coming, a holiday which everyone loves and dreads at the same time. Everything about Christmas is simply wonderful, with the exception that you have to decide what gift you will give to whom and the shop for it, then wrap it and then give it.
Top 5 Things To Do When Visiting Istanbul By:-Matt DaviesA quick look at the top five things to do when on a trip to Istanbul, including eating, shopping and sightseeing.
Dude Ranch Family Vacation: Old-West Fun! By:-Remy JirekA dude ranch family vacation may just well be the perfect vacation idea for you. Horseback riding, swimming pools, and multiple other activities make these resorts excellent places for you to take your kids on your next adventure...
How To Double Your Profits Trading The Same System By:-Charles StubbsMost traders, quite understandably, concentrate more on getting their trades right than their stakes correct. After all, if you can't pick winning trades then the rest doesn't count for very much, does it? However, if you are a winning trader, even if only occasionally, then the correct staking approach can turn loss into profit, and profit into real wealth.
Famagusta Northern Cyprus By:-Derek BothFamagusta, a historical and architecturally prominent city, within the Mediterranean, if simplicity and historical stories are right up your alley, a vacation in Famagusta is something you will definitely want to consider.
Your Gay Child--Is There A Place For Him At the Table? By:-Don L WrightMany families, especially religious families, find themselves adrift when they learn one of their children is gay. And yet, the best of our religious teachings ask us to love them unconditionally.
Traveling To and Around the Costa Blanca Spain By:-Robert CarltonThe Costa Blanca Spain is a popular destination for tourists. Most travel into the region through the Alicante airport. This large airport offers flights from several discount airlines. Once you arrive, you can either use public transportation or a car hire to get around. Stay in a hotel or rent a private property during your stay in the region.
Visit Vienna and Austria for a Unique European Vacation By:-Robert CarltonVienna, Austria, is a vibrant, charming, and beautiful destination, known for its rich culture and adored by many because of its simple elegance and charm.
Getting Out Of Debt By:-Daniel JohanssonMany people find their debts are creating unnecessary burdens in their lives. This article helps familiarise people with the options available to them with regard to getting out of debt.
Green Coast Northern Cyprus By:-Derek BothIf you are thinking of taking a trip to Northern Cyprus, you may want to consider staying at the beautiful Green Coast Holiday Village.
Bellapais Northern Cyprus By:-Derek BothThe Village of Bellapais takes great pride in its ability to remain quality and enchanting throughout the many years and periods of its existence.
Ten Ways To Increase Sales By:-Sarah ReiterTop ten ways to increase sales for real estate agents and gain stbility and growth from clients.
Why Hire A Real Estate Virtual Assistant? By:-Sarah ReiterHow and why hiring a Virtual Assistant can contribute to being a successful real estate agent.
Consider A Career In Proofreading By:-Rob PalmerIf you are looking for the opportunity to work from home and enjoy reading then why not consider a career in freelance proofreading? This articles gives you details on freelance proofreading and how to find freelance proofreading jobs.