[The Real Slim Shady]

I think Chat, irc in particular, really binds a community. It allows you to interact with each other on a less formal level. I have a forum/site now that has been around for about 12 years. Its not that active at this point (due to 10 months of downtime and a lost domain due to the original admin) but we still have 10+ people idle on our irc chan and weve all known each other at least 8 years, some of us go back even 8-10+ years. Dont think there isnt anyone that doesnt get along. And old members finding their way back always seem very pleased to find us.

I dont think forums alone can generate that kind of community/membership tbh Mutual respect perhaps. But not to the degree of what i see with interactive chat. But maybe you can do it. I just havent seen it happen before.