forum

n 1: a public meeting or assembly for open discussion

2: a public place to meet for open discussion [syn: {assembly},

{meeting place}]

3: a place of assembly for the people in ancient Greece [syn: {agora},

{public square}]

forum

(Plural "fora" or "forums") Any discussion group

accessible through a dial-in {BBS} (e.g. {GEnie}, {CI$}), a

{mailing list}, or a {Usenet} {newsgroup} (see {network,

the}). A forum functions much like a {bulletin board}; users

submit {postings} for all to read and discussion ensues.

Contrast real-time {chat} or point-to-point personal {e-mail}.

[{Jargon File}]

(1998-01-18)