 Discussion Boards
 CeCC provides access to several web-based discussion forum applications. CeCC can customise a discussion board to your needs and make it fit seamlessly into your website.
The most popular product is CeCC's version of the open source "Phorum" discussion board application. This product is characterised by its highly customisable appearance and intuitive user interface. The Phorum product is also very fast.
Examples
You can view discussion forums being utilised in a range of CeCC’s client initiatives. Some examples include:
Ballan Online
Ballan Online is one of nine towns that have established township websites through the Communities and Technologies Project in the Moorabool Shire. Most of the communities opted to include general discussion forum within their websites. Discussion topics vary but often include questions from individuals who are considering moving to the region.
Have a Yarn
The YARN discussion forum is a great way for young people in rural industries to seek advice, express their opinions, meet others from their industry or region, make business contacts, have their say on government policy or simply "Have a yarn!".
Over the Fence
"Over the Fence" was developed by the Birchip Cropping Group with initial support from the Victorian State Government to help solve practical problems, share ideas, provide support and validate everyday farming decisions.
Rural Law Online
There are two different discussion forums available on Rural Law Online. In ‘My Forum’ website visitors can ask questions about any area of law, find out where to get further assistance, raise issues or share ideas with other website users. This Forum is facilitated by lawyers (Victorian website users only).
Feature Forums are facilitated by lawyers who work in the focus area of selected topics of interest in rural Australia. Feature Forums foster stakeholder engagement through the provision of online resources, discussion, feedback and advocacy. These time-limited forums are organised around ‘hot issues’. In preparation for the forum a resource package is developed – this is often a collaborative process with experts contributing to the development. An invitation to act as forum moderators is given to content or other subject expects. Their role is to provide comment and responses to questions and discussion during the forum period. At the end of the forum period the forum information is still accessible but new posts cannot be submitted. Information collected through online discussions, participant feedback and website statistics is reviewed by stakeholders to identify key lessons, priorities, and challenges identified. Once outcome information is collated and reflected upon it is often presented back to stakeholders and others – to generate new knowledge and understandings or to advocate for change.
Availability
Discussion Board products are generally only available to clients who host their websites with CeCC. If you would like to have a discussion forum included in your site this can be facilitated by arrangement, however the forum itself would still reside on a CeCC server. This type of hosting is sometimes referred to as Application Service Provision (ASP).
Required Software
No special software apart from a Web Browser is required to use the Discussion Forum products. A recent browser is recommended for users to ensure that all functionality is enabled.
Support and Documentation
Support is available via the CeCC helpdesk and product forums.
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