1) The WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link)
The WELL is one of the oldest forums on the internet, founded in 1985. It was initially created as a virtual community for people interested in the holistic movement and technology. The WELL has a reputation for fostering intelligent and respectful discussions on a wide range of topics, from politics and spirituality to technology and art. It was acquired by Salon.com in 1999, and is still active today.
Link: https://www.well.com/
2) Usenet
Usenet was created in 1979 as a way for researchers to share information and communicate online. It consists of a network of servers that allow users to post messages and files to various newsgroups. While Usenet has declined in popularity since the rise of social media and other online forums, it still has a dedicated community of users who value its decentralized nature and open discussion.
Link: https://www.usenet.com/
3) The CompuServe Forums
CompuServe was one of the first major commercial online services, and its forums were a popular destination for users in the 1980s and 1990s. The CompuServe Forums covered a wide range of topics, from technology and gaming to politics and entertainment. CompuServe was acquired by AOL in 1998, and the forums were eventually shut down in 2011.
Link: N/A (Forums no longer active)
4) The WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER
The WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER was founded in 1984 by a group of classical musicians and enthusiasts. It was one of the first online communities dedicated to classical music, and featured discussions on composers, performers, and recordings. The forum is still active today, and has expanded to include discussions on a wide range of topics related to the arts and humanities.
Link: https://www.motleyclassics.com/wtc/
5) The MetaFilter Community
MetaFilter was founded in 1999 as a community weblog where users could share interesting links and discuss a wide range of topics. It quickly grew in popularity, and has since become known for its thoughtful and often humorous discussions on everything from current events and politics to art and music. MetaFilter is still active today, and has a dedicated community of users who value its inclusive and respectful culture.
Link: https://www.metafilter.com/
