> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://aftermath.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Forums Are Still Alive, Active, And A Treasure Trove Of Information
- URL: https://aftermath.site/best-active-forums-internet-today/
- Published: 2024-10-08T20:25:46.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-30T19:20:19.000Z
- Author: Chris Person
- Tags: Internet Culture, Best Forums, Internet Forums, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-10-27 13:00

When I want information, like the real stuff, I go to forums. Over the years, forums did not really get smaller, so much as the rest of the internet just got bigger. Reddit, Discord and Facebook groups have filled a lot of that space, but there is just certain information that requires the dedication of adults who have specifically signed up to be in one kind of community. This blog is a salute to those forums that are either worth participating in or at least looking at in bewilderment.

What follows is a list of forums that range from at least interesting to good. I will attempt to contextualize the ones I know well. This post is by no means supposed to be complete and will be updated whenever I find more good forums.

### Audio (Audiophile)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/1-asr-crop-1.jpg)

ASR, an infamous audio forum. Credit: Audio Science Review

Audiophiles have an oversized presence in the forum game. Part of this has to do with the fact that overpriced gear brings out the worst, best, and most creative in people. It is a fantastic place to start this off.

- [Audio Science Review](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) is notorious and fairly new in the grand scheme of things, a forum that deserves its own post. They pride themselves on doing objective, scientific analysis of speakers, amplifiers and home audio equipment generally.
- [Super Audio Best Friends](https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/asr-member-takes-offense-at-real-science-also-cries.14096/&ref=aftermath.site) is another audio forum that apparently has had beef with ASR’s methodology.
- [Audiogon](https://forum.audiogon.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is also a well-known, good and reliable audio forum.
- If you want a forum that is just people talking about old speakers specifically, [Audiokarma ](https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?ref=aftermath.site)is the destination. Speakers have generally gotten better and more efficient over time, but old speakers have their defenders, and this forum has some fairly interesting and unique information that does not exist elsewhere. It has a sister site called [Videokarma](http://videokarma.org/?ref=aftermath.site) that I had no idea existed before writing this blog.
- For everything involving headphones, [Head-fi](https://www.head-fi.org/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)’s forums are probably the best and the ones I root for the most with audiophile stuff. It’s where I found my [favorite closed-back headphones](https://www.theverge.com/23560691/german-maestro-headphones-closed-back-durable?ref=aftermath.site). They have their own convention, [Can Jam](https://canjamglobal.com/?ref=aftermath.site). I probably respect this forum the most.

### Audio (DIY)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/diyaudio-crop-1.jpg)

diyAudio is a deeply useful well of knowledge. Credit: diyAudio

Eventually you wanna cross from simply being a guy who has an expensive stereo to someone who starts making audio equipment. Here are some good places to start.

- [diyAudio ](https://www.diyaudio.com/community/?ref=aftermath.site)is the destination if you want to make speakers, amplifiers, PAs and more. An incredible resource.
- Speaker building groups like the [Midwest audio club](https://diy.midwestaudio.club/?ref=aftermath.site) are quite good.
- Semi related, but [GroupDIY ](https://groupdiy.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is the best website for building a microphone and related equipment. You can make a total [Neumann U 87](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neumann%5FU%5F87?ref=aftermath.site) clone from info gleaned from that site, and people who have been on their forums have gone on to start their own mic businesses.

### Audio (professional) and musicians

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/2-gearspace-1.jpg)

Gearspace, formerly called something else. Credit: Gearspace.

People who own audio gear in a professional context are their own niche. This particularly holds true for musicians.

- [Gearspace](https://gearspace.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is one of the oldest communities for audio professionals. It [changed](https://djmag.com/news/popular-music-production-website-gearslutz-change-name-following-online-petition?ref=aftermath.site) from its embarrassing and misogynistic name of GearSlutz following an [online petition ](https://www.change.org/p/gearslutz-gearslutz-please-change-your-name?ref=aftermath.site)and a callout from [one of the co-founders who built the site.](https://gearwarz.com/?ref=aftermath.site) Every audio engineer has used this site.
- The [TapeOp](https://messageboard.tapeop.com/?ref=aftermath.site) board is specifically centered around recording.
- [TASCAM](https://www.tascamforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forums are for people who use TASCAM devices.
- [Lines ](https://llllllll.co/?ref=aftermath.site)(aka [https://llllllll.co](https://llllllll.co/?ref=aftermath.site)) focuses a lot on synthesizers.
- [Mod Wiggler](https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great resource for euroracks and other modular synthesizers. Like Gearspace, it also used to [have a much more embarrassing name](https://www.reddit.com/r/modular/comments/mzplby/muff%5Fwiggler%5Fis%5Fnow%5Fmod%5Fwiggler/?ref=aftermath.site). They were [acquired by Synthcube](https://modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283061&mc%5Fcid=2576e7bf6f&ref=aftermath.site) this year.
- [Talk Bass](https://www.talkbass.com/?ref=aftermath.site), for bass.
- [Dogs On Acid](https://www.dogsonacid.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a resource for the production of [Drum And Bass music.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum%5Fand%5Fbass?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Drums forums](https://www.drumforum.org/?ref=aftermath.site). For drums.
- [Range Planet](https://therangeplanet.proboards.com/board/3/range-stuff?ref=aftermath.site) is a forum devoted just to vocal range.
- Fixing a piano? [Piano World Forums](https://forum.pianoworld.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Ukulele underground](https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is your one stop forum for Ukuleles.
- [PedalPCB](https://forum.pedalpcb.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great resource for guitar pedals, and particularly when it comes to PCB design. Shockingly useful forum.
- [Mandolin Cafe](https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) for mandolins.
- [The Telecaster Discussion Page](https://www.tdpri.com/forums?ref=aftermath.site) is popular and has a very active [DIY subforum](https://www.tdpri.com/forums/diy-amps-cabinets-speakers.49/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [The Squier-Talk Forum](https://www.squier-talk.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for the [fender sub-brand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squier?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Banjo Hangout](https://www.banjohangout.org/pages/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is where you hang out and discuss banjos.
- [Ultimate Guitar Forums](https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) and [Guitars101](https://www.guitars101.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Seven String](https://sevenstring.org/?ref=aftermath.site) guitar players specifically have their own forum
- [LinuxMusicians](https://linuxmusicians.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a hyper-specific forum but there’s also a lot of info you won’t find anywhere else on here.
- [Old School DAW](http://www.oldschooldaw.com/forums/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) is devoted to music creation on older computers. Some very important older musicians were on here.
- [VI-Control](https://vi-control.net/community/?ref=aftermath.site) is a forum for virtual instruments.
- If you wanna talk about plug-ins,the [KRV Audio](https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.

### Music

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/steve-hoffman-1.png)

Steve Hoffman, my man. Credit: Steve Hoffman Music Forums.

People who collect old records love posting. Here are some of the most active haunts.

- [Steve Hoffman Music Forums](https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/?ref=aftermath.site) is an ancestry unto itself. It spans a bunch of categories like audio, gear and music and thus does not fit into a single category. Great website.
- From a reader, [dissensus](https://www.dissensus.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is full of old drum and bass heads but also has a lot of old Mark Fisher and Simon Reynolds posts.
- Classical music: [Talk Classical](https://www.talkclassical.com/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [The Mudcat Cafe](https://mudcat.org/?ref=aftermath.site) is a comically simple discussion group for folk music.
- [Waxidermy](http://waxidermy.com/bbs/?ref=aftermath.site) is a forum devoted to vinyl. I like that they have an active politics thread from November 2016 called “[LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION ARE YOU GUYS NERVOUS](http://waxidermy.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57905&ref=aftermath.site)”
- [Very Good Plus](https://www.verygoodplus.co.uk/?ref=aftermath.site) is worth mentioning although somewhat inactive.
- [Acclaimed Music ](http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/forums/index.php?ref=aftermath.site)is still going.
- [Okayplayer](https://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?ref=aftermath.site) for hip-hop.
- [WATMM (We Are The Makers Of Music)](https://forum.watmm.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is an IDM forum.
- [Happyhardcore](https://www.happyhardcore.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site), devoted to hardcore music.
- [Popjustice](https://forum.popjustice.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for pop music.
- [Chorus.fm](https://forum.chorus.fm/?ref=aftermath.site) was spun off of AbsolutePunk.net.
- [Needles and Grooves](https://www.needlesandgrooves.com/?ref=aftermath.site) was spun off of the company Vinyl Me Please.
- [Trance Addict](https://tranceaddict.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is still going if you are into trance.

### Cameras, Video, Production, Gear

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/dp-review-1.jpg)

Not just a good forum, also the best website for camera reviews. Credit: DPReview.

One of my niches is cameras, and so as a result I have spent a lot of time on vintage cameras. I have close to 30 film cameras at this point, and I lay the blame squarely at forums and Goodwill’s auction site. Here are some old forums to enable you.

- For modern cameras the [DPreview forum](https://www.dpreview.com/forums?ref=aftermath.site) is by far the most active.
- A lot of my knowledge came from obsessing over the [MFLenses](https://forum.mflenses.com/?ref=aftermath.site) subreddit. This was particularly popular around when camera sensors got big enough that you could adapt older glass to newer camera bodies. I learned a lot about Soviet era lenses there.
- This has led to other, niche forums. I spend a lot of time with vintage Minolta cameras, and for that the [Dyxum ](https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forums.html?ref=aftermath.site)forum is still fairly active. Konica Minolta’s camera department was later bought by Sony in 2006, so it now encompasses discussions of Sony cameras.
- [PentaxUser](https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum?ref=aftermath.site) is also still kicking around, though Pentax as a brand is not what it once was and the forum is less active.
- [DVXuser ](https://www.dvxuser.com/?ref=aftermath.site)used to be one of the best forums for shooting video, based on the Panasonic AG-DVX100, but if you are old enough to remember that camera you are old now.
- Cinematographer [Roger Deakins](https://www.rogerdeakins.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) (*Fargo*, *The Shawshank Redemption*) has his own forums.
- [Photo.net](https://www.photo.net/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)’s forums remain active.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/creative-cow-crop-1.jpg)

Thank you Creative Cow you have saved my life. Credit: Creative Cow.

Adjacent to this and you start getting into video production and editing:

- Real video editing heads know about the [Creative Cow](https://creativecow.net/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) forums. I have spent nights working overtime looking for why something wasn’t rendering correctly. There is a deep treasure trove of info there.
- [Autodesk](https://forums.autodesk.com/?ref=aftermath.site)'s forums.
- [Blackmagic’s](https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forums are active if you use any of their products.
- Further down the rabbit hole is [Videohelp](https://www.videohelp.com/?ref=aftermath.site), which is a great resource for a lot of questions about encoding.
- Even further down that rabbit hole are the [Doom9](https://forum.doom9.org/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) and the [MakeMKV](https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) forums, the former being real pervert encoding information, and the latter being useful if you wanna learn how to archive your blu-rays using a jailbroken disc drive called a [LibreDrive](https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18856&ref=aftermath.site).

### Home Theater, A/V and Media

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/avs-1.png)

The oldest and most active home theater forum. Credit: AVSForum

Speaking of blu-rays, let’s talk about home theater, A/V and general media.

- The [bluray.com forums](http://bluray.com/?ref=aftermath.site) can get both notoriously anal and unruly while also being an indispensable guide for seeing who is [screwing up different video releases.](https://aftermath.site/true-lies-4k-uhd-blu-ray-james-cameron-peter-jackson-park-road-post/)
- [The AVS forums](https://www.avsforum.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) are ancient and remain the best place for people who spend way too much money on surround sound.
- The forums for the [Laserdisc Database](https://forum.lddb.com/?ref=aftermath.site) are fantastic for anyone attempting to do serious research about releases, and the database/marketplace is fantastic as well.
- Want an 8mm film forum? [Here you go](https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/?ref=aftermath.site). The 8mm Film Forum.
- [The Spaghetti Western Database](https://forum.spaghetti-western.net/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- [The Original Trilogy forum](https://originaltrilogy.com/discussions?ref=aftermath.site) is nominally a Star Wars forum, but many of the fan projects to restore the original versions of those movies morphed into general[ restoration of other properties](https://originaltrilogy.com/discussion/Preservation-of-Other-Properties/id/18?ref=aftermath.site), including 35mm home scans that are [open matte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open%5Fmatte?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Fan Restore](https://fanrestore.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a different fan restoration forum.
- [WDWMAGIC ](https://forums.wdwmagic.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is the Disney forum that has been going for 25 years.
- The Digital Spy Forum is for [TV/movies](https://forums.digitalspy.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- There is a VCR repair forum out there, but I am not going to link to it because the guy who runs it is a vindictive asshole.
- [Jedi Council Forums](https://boards.theforce.net/?ref=aftermath.site) for Star Wars stuff.
- [The No Homers Club](https://nohomers.net/forums/index.php?forums/&ref=aftermath.site) is for Simpsons discussion.
- [TVTropes ](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/topics.php?ref=aftermath.site)forum.
- [ANN](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/bbs/phpBB2/?ref=aftermath.site) forums for anime.
- [Lost media](https://forums.lostmediawiki.com/?ref=aftermath.site) wiki forums are useful if you try to hunt down lost or forgotten media.

### Drugs and Substances

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/shroomery-1.jpg)

Shroomery is one of the most interesting forums on this list, even if you don't like drugs. Credit: Shroomery.org.

Drugs are great for forums. While I am not making it the explicit policy of Aftermath to do drugs, the forums for drugs are informative or at the very least very funny.

- [Bluelight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluelight%5F%28web%5Fforum%29?ref=aftermath.site) is the most notorious active drug forum. As with many drug forums, the stated goal is [harm reduction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm%5Freduction?ref=aftermath.site).
- I have a special place in my heart for the psychedelic mushroom forum [Shroomery](https://www.shroomery.org/forums?ref=aftermath.site). Partly this is because it’s ancient and it still looks like a black light poster, but also because it has a lot of non-drug related mushroom advice on there. If you wanna learn how to [cultivate culinary mushrooms it’s a great resource.](https://www.shroomery.org/forums/postlist.php/Board/13?ref=aftermath.site)
- The [Poppers Forum](https://poppersguide.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) exists. While the idea of a poppers forum is conceptually funny, it is actually a complicated topic. Poppers availability, chemistry and legality is a somewhat complex topic. As an aside, I would highly recommend the recently released book [*Deep Sniff*](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676195/deep-sniff-by-adam-zmith/?ref=aftermath.site) if you are interested in the history of poppers.
- [Grass City](https://forum.grasscity.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the dedicated weed forum. Kinda speaks for itself.
- I remember there used to be a lot of steroid forums. That’s not my scene and not worth linking directly but it is worth mentioning.
- [Daily Drinking Thread](https://dailydrinkingthread.com/community/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- I don’t drink any more but I used to home brew beer, and when I did the [Homebrewtalk ](https://www.homebrewtalk.com/?ref=aftermath.site)forum was a destination I spent a lot of time on. Lots of very helpful guides on how to make alcohol. They also send you an email wishing you happy birthday. [The Homebrew Forum](https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/?ref=aftermath.site) based out of the UK is also a good resource here.
- [Wine Making Talk](https://www.winemakingtalk.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is an active wine making community.
- The [BeerAdvocate](https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/?ref=aftermath.site) community I spent less time on because BeerAdvocate reviews were some of the worst writing I have ever read.
- [Wine Berserkers](https://www.wineberserkers.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a notorious wine forum. [CellarTracker ](https://www.cellartracker.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is also well known.
- [Home Barista](https://www.home-barista.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) forums are some of the larger coffee forums.
- [Teachat](https://www.teachat.com/?ref=aftermath.site) used to be the biggest tea forum, but [apparently there was a split](https://www.reddit.com/r/tea/comments/7j5qxj/there%5Fis%5Fa%5Fnew%5Ftea%5Fforum/?ref=aftermath.site), so now [Tea Forum ](https://www.teaforum.org/?ref=aftermath.site)exists.

### Fashion

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/superfuture-1.png)

This place was so useful if you were getting into Acronym. Credit: Superfuture.

I personally don’t think you should learn about style from a forum unless you have a hyper specific way you prefer to dress. That said, there’s a lot of useful info on clothing brands online.

- [Styleforum ](https://www.styleforum.net/?ref=aftermath.site)is one of the most notorious forums and still extremely active.
- [Ask Andy About Clothes](https://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [the Fashion Spot](https://forums.thefashionspot.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is an active fashion forum with an impressive archive of runway photos.
- [Superfuture ](https://supertalk.superfuture.com/?ref=aftermath.site)was really important for techwear back in the day.
- [PurseForum ](https://forum.purseblog.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is a very active purse related forum.

### Plants and Animals

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/pigeonsbiz-1.png)

pigeons.biz? pigeons.biz. Credit: pigeons.biz

Farming and gardening is, unsurprisingly, fertile ground for forums.

- [AG talk](https://newagtalk.com/category-view.asp?ref=aftermath.site) is apparently quite a good agricultural forum and not surprisingly spartan in its layout.
- [The Combine Forum](https://www.thecombineforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great resource if you own a combine harvester. I do not, but it makes for a good read even if you don’t own a John Deere 9660 STS.
- [The Lawn Forum](https://www.thelawnforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is quite good if you are the kind of person who gets obsessed with lawns, although I learned a lot about fescue if you (correctly) believe that lawns with traditional grass are bad for the environment. It’s also where I found out about [chelated iron as a non-toxic herbicide](https://www.thelawnforum.com/threads/dandelions-pet-lawn-safe-weed-killer.27897/?post%5Fid=385451&nested%5Fview=1&sortby=oldest&ref=aftermath.site#post-385451).
- I somehow ended up on Beesource, the [beekeeping forum](https://www.beesource.com/?ref=aftermath.site) a while back while attempting to learn about an [antifungal ](https://www.beesource.com/?ref=aftermath.site)chemical. Seems fun over there!
- I have heard nothing but good and useful things about [the garden.org forums](https://garden.org/forums?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Bonsai Nut](https://www.bonsainut.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for trees.
- [Miniature Horse Talk](https://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the only place you need to go if you have a miniature horse.
- [Bug Guide](https://bugguide.net/forum?ref=aftermath.site) for bugs.
- [FaunaClassifieds](https://faunaclassifieds.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is a good resource if you are buying a snake.
- [Caudata.org](https://www.caudata.org/?ref=aftermath.site) is for the discussion of newts and salamanders.
- [FieldHerpForum](https://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is for Field Herpers (people that search for amphibians or reptiles).
- [Guinea Pig](https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- [Backyard Chicken](https://www.backyardchickens.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for home chicken owners.
- [Birdsforum](https://www.birdforum.net/?ref=aftermath.site) is the birding community hub.
- [Pigeon.biz](https://www.pigeons.biz/?ref=aftermath.site) is the internet’s main hub for pigeon information.
- [Parrot forums](https://www.parrotforums.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site), for parrot and other bird owners like parakeets, cockatiels and macaws.

#### Repair Hobbies, Vocational Hobbies, Appliances and Home Goods

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/vacuumland_fe0ce7-1.png)

Vacuumland is shockingly useful and looks like it has not changed since 1999\. Credit: Vacuumland

Sometimes you gotta fix some stuff. Forums are the perfect structure, because old guys love hanging out in a place and telling you how to fix something.

- [Plumbing Forums](https://www.plumbingforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great place to learn about plumbing.
- [Terry Love](https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) is another, well-respected plumbing forum.
- [John Bridge](https://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/?ref=aftermath.site) is the place to go about ceramic tiling.
- [Practical Machinist](https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great CNC and repair forum.
- [Homemade Tools](https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is the destination for people who like making their tools by hand. Wanna make a [gas powered leaf blower from scratch](https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/miniature-gas-powered-leaf-blower-video-103607?ref=aftermath.site)? You will find out how.
- [Appliance Pros](https://forum.appliancepartspros.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for appliance repair.
- [VENDiscuss](https://vendiscuss.net/?ref=aftermath.site), for vending machine repair.
- [Eng Tips](https://www.eng-tips.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for engineering.
- [BobIsTheOilGuy ](https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)is where you go if you need to learn about machine oil.
- [EEVBlog forum](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) is where you go if you need to talk about test equipment and electronics.
- [allnurses](https://allnurses.com/nurses-c76/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for nursing.
- [Sawmill Creek](https://sawmillcreek.org/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) (woodworking).
- [Badcaps](https://www.badcaps.net/?ref=aftermath.site) for electronics repairs.
- [ElektroTanya](https://elektrotanya.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great resource for service manuals but is primarily in Hungarian.
- [Blue Room](https://www.blue-room.org.uk/?ref=aftermath.site) is a UK based technical theater forum.
- [Student Doctor Network](https://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for medical students and doctors.
- [Optiboard](https://www.optiboard.com/forums/forum?ref=aftermath.site) is the board for opticians and optometrists.
- [The Building Code](https://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- [Mattress Underground](https://forum.mattressunderground.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the mattress forum. It’s incredibly useful if you have specific questions about mattresses and bedding. Bedding varies from person to person, so people get very into this topic. I was using it last week to figure out mattress encasements for dustmites.
- After that you have the [Automatic Washer](https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-INDEX%5FDISPLAY.cgi?IMP&ref=aftermath.site) forums for dishwashers and washing machines. I have used this to try to reverse engineer which dishwashers and dishwashing products are good.
- You also have the [Vacuumland ](https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-INDEX%5FDISPLAY.cgi?CON&ref=aftermath.site)forums for vacuums. This was handy when I was buying a secondhand SEBO. Old, well-built vacuums can be great if properly maintained, so this is a useful forum to have.
- [Kitchen knives](https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) have their own active forum.
- And of course who could forget the vintage [ceiling fan forum](https://ada19851985.proboards.com/?ref=aftermath.site)? This is distinct from the [Antique Fan Collector Association.](https://new.afcaforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site)

### Gaming

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/shmups-1.png)

The RGB mod thread on this forum is one of the most useful I have ever seen. Credit SHMUPS forum.

Gaming forums have seen better days, but gaming has always been one of the largest percentages of forum communities. We don’t need to relitigate NeoGAF or ResetERA here. Some of the more interesting forums are the retro ones.

- The [Shmups ](https://shmups.system11.org/?ref=aftermath.site)forum is actually where a lot of the first RGB mods for CRT TVs emerged.
- The [Arcades-Projects](https://www.arcade-projects.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forum is a wildly useful resource and community if you have or want to refurbish an old arcade cabinet.
- [ResetERA](https://www.resetera.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum that emerged after the collapse of NeoGAF, and now is where everyone in gaming news lurks.
- Also the [Arcade Controls](http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- [Pachitalk](https://www.pachitalk.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) for pachinko and pachislo.
- [Museum of Game Forums](https://forums.arcade-museum.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Video Game Sage.](https://www.videogamesage.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)
- The [GBATemp](https://gbatemp.net/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) forums are where to go if you’re trying to keep up with hacking and Homebrew.
- [Bitbuilt](https://bitbuilt.net/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for modding consoles into portable handhelds.
- [IGN](https://www.ignboards.com/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Giant Bomb](https://www.giantbomb.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Rllmuk](https://rllmukforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [GameFAQs ](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is a national treasure and some of the only archives of how to correctly play certain niche games.
- [Insert Credit ](https://forums.insertcredit.com/?ref=aftermath.site)and [selectbutton](https://selectbutton.net/?ref=aftermath.site) are good forums.
- [Gamers With Jobs forum](https://www.gamerswithjobs.com/forum?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Vogons](https://www.vogons.org/?ref=aftermath.site)
- The longest running LucasArts forum is [MixnMojo](https://forums.mixnmojo.com/?ref=aftermath.site), which contains an old archive of the LucasArts forums from back in the day.
- [The Visual Novel Database](https://vndb.org/t?ref=aftermath.site) is one of the most comprehensive resources for visual novels.
- The [rpg.net forums](http://rpg.net/?ref=aftermath.site) are ancient tabletop forums.
- [RPGPub.](https://www.rpgpub.com/?ref=aftermath.site)
- The [BoardGameGeek ](https://boardgamegeek.com/forums?ref=aftermath.site)forums are still quite active as well.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/doomworld-1.png)

Doomworld is one of the largest repositories of unique gaming culture in any one place. Credit: Doomworld.

In addition to general topics there are multiple forums devoted to specific games and subgenres.

- [Romhacking.net](http://romhacking.net/?ref=aftermath.site) collapsed spectacularly this year under what seemed to be avoidable circumstances. It is not active and much of the active development had moved offsite, but it is worth mentioning in passing.
- [Zeldix](https://www.zeldix.net/?ref=aftermath.site), the Zelda hacking forum, is where much of the [MSU-1 hacking](https://aftermath.site/the-ultimate-snes-remasters-are-rom-hacks-with-cd-quality-audio/) stuff came out of.
- [SMW Central](https://www.smwcentral.net/?p=viewforum&ref=aftermath.site) is the Mario forums. Another is [Mario Fan Games Galaxy](https://forums.mfgg.net/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Sonic Research](https://sonicresearch.org/community/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) is an active Sonic forum.
- The [Sega-16](https://www.sega-16forums.com/forum?ref=aftermath.site) forums for SEGA.
- [Retro Gaming Boards](https://www.retrogameboards.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for retro gaming.
- [The Bell Tree Forums](https://www.belltreeforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) have been covering Animal Crossing for 20 years. There is also [ACC](https://www.animalcrossingcommunity.com/forums/300000000?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Pinside](https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/list?ref=aftermath.site) forums are for pinball machines.
- [The Sims modding](https://modthesims.info/forums.php?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- [Civfanatics](https://forums.civfanatics.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for anyone who plays Civilization.
- [HTLV ](https://www.hltv.org/forums?ref=aftermath.site)is the Counter-Strike forum.
- [Operation Sports Forums](https://forums.operationsports.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is for sports games old and new. A great resource for helping old games run.
- [PSNProfiles](https://forum.psnprofiles.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is for PlayStation trophy hunting.
- [RaGEZONE ](https://forum.ragezone.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is for MMO development.
- [Doomworld ](https://www.doomworld.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is one the DOOM forum and possibly one of my favorites. It is still active and [still creating culture.](https://aftermath.site/im-in-awe-of-how-hard-this-new-doom-track-goes/)
- The [Warthunder ](https://forum.warthunder.com/?ref=aftermath.site)forum has become a meme because [military documents](https://forum.warthunder.com/t/friendly-reminder-on-leaking-classified-documents-serious/26818?ref=aftermath.site) keep getting leaked there.
- [Melonland](https://forum.melonland.net/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for indie game development.
- [Bay 12 Forums](http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) are the forums for Dwarf Fortress.
- [Overtake](https://www.overtake.gg/forums/sim-racing-hardware.159/?ref=aftermath.site) is the racing sim forum.
- [Trainsim](https://www.trainsim.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is the dedicated forum for train simulators like Open Rails and Microsoft Train Sim.

### Technology, Computers, Software

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/hardforum-for-hardware-1.png)

A great resource for actual hardware info. Credit: HardForum.

Tech people are unsurprisingly still active on forums. Here are some of the more active ones.

- [Ars Technica’s](https://arstechnica.com/civis/?ref=aftermath.site) forums.
- [\[H\]ard \[F\]orum](https://hardforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Bleeping Computer](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Level1Techs ](https://forum.level1techs.com/?ref=aftermath.site)forum, also related to the [Level1Techs Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/c/Level1Techs?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Linus Tech Tips ](https://linustechtips.com/?ref=aftermath.site)forums, also related to the [Linus Tech Tips Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@LinusTechTips?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Serve The Home](https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) forums, related to the [STH Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@ServeTheHomeVideo?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Hack Forums](https://hackforums.net/?ref=aftermath.site) has a [long history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack%5FForums?ref=aftermath.site).
- [DSLReports](https://www.dslreports.com/forums/all?ref=aftermath.site) is the ISP forum.
- [TinkerDifferent](https://tinkerdifferent.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for repairing and modding computers.
- [Wilders Security Forum](https://www.wilderssecurity.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the security forum.
- [Geekhack ](https://geekhack.org/index.php?ref=aftermath.site)forums for mechanical keyboards.
- [Macrumors](https://forums.macrumors.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the oldest Mac forum.
- [Tonymacx86](https://www.tonymacx86.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) historically was the hackintosh forum but I have not checked since they switched to ARM architecture. I did spend a lot of time there during lockdown because I ran my PC dual boot with Mac as a COVID hobby.
- [Spectrum Computing ](https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)forums are still going and devoted to Sinclair Research computers like the ZX Spectrum.
- [VCFED](https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?ref=aftermath.site), the Vintage Computer Federation Forums, is for vintage computing.
- [Pouët](https://www.pouet.net/bbs.php?ref=aftermath.site) is your destination for [demoscene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demoscene?ref=aftermath.site) related info. Also [CSDb](https://csdb.dk/forums/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [SFF.Network](https://smallformfactor.net/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) for small form factor PCs.
- [OSdev](https://forum.osdev.org/?ref=aftermath.site) is specifically the forum for people developing operating systems.
- The forums for [whirlpool.net.au](https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/?ref=aftermath.site) are actually not dedicated to the Australian branch of the Whirlpool brand but specifically a great resource for networking and internet access in Australia.
- [XDA](https://xdaforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a forum for mobile devices but with a focus on Android devices. A lot of devices are often just rebadged Android tablets so this is an incredibly useful forum. I was on here last week looking up how to sideload something on a Peloton.

### Crafting

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/rpf-forums-1.png)

If I had to choose one forum to save for future generations, this might be the most useful one. Credit: RPF

Forums are great if you are trying to make some stuff.

- [TheRPF](https://www.therpf.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is the best prop/cosplay forum bar none, and potentially one of the most useful forums on this list.
- [Finishing.com](https://www.finishing.com/?ref=aftermath.site) has been going for decades, and if you have any question about finishing metal it has probably been asked. The site has roots in the pre Internet era and it’s maintained by one guy from New Jersey.
- [IForgeIron ](https://www.iforgeiron.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is the destination for forging metal.
- [Leatherworker.net](https://leatherworker.net/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) for leather.
- The [American Association of Woodturners](https://www.aawforum.org/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great resource if you have a wood lathe or would like to have one.
- [Chemists Corner](https://chemistscorner.com/cosmeticsciencetalk/discussion/welcome-to-the-forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is for people who formalate makeup and cosmetics. If you want to start making your own shampoo or moisturizer this is a great place to start, along with bulk buying sites like [Making Cosmetics](https://www.makingcosmetics.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls](https://www.lathetrolls.com/?ref=aftermath.site) if you want to cut vinyl.
- [Wet Canvas](https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums-index/?ref=aftermath.site) is a hub for painting and other visual arts.

### Hyper-Niche Activities (Useful)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/budget-light-forum-1.png)

You know those flash lights that can blind an entire neighbourhood? Learn about them here. Credit: Budget Light Forum

Hyper niche forums call for their own category.

- For extremely powerful flashlights you gotta go with [Budgetlightforum](http://budgetlightforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- Alternatively, the [Candlepower ](https://www.candlepowerforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site)forum.
- [The World Literature Forum](https://www.worldliteratureforum.com/forum/index.php?ref=aftermath.site)
- For amateur astronomy and astrophotography, [Cloudynights](https://www.cloudynights.com/index?ref=aftermath.site) is your forum.
- There are tons of niche cycling forums, but [London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed forum aka LFGSS](https://www.lfgss.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a tolerable one.
- [Cycleblaze](https://www.cycleblaze.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) forums for are touring.
- Related to that is [Weight Weenies](https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site), the forum for ultra light cycling.
- [Word reference](https://forum.wordreference.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forums.
- [BZPower ](https://www.bzpower.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is the Bionicles and general LEGO forum.
- [TFW2005 ](https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/?ref=aftermath.site)is for Transformers discussion.
- The forums for [Backpackinglight](https://backpackinglight.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) are great when it comes to the ultralight camping niche…
- … as is [trek-lite](https://www.trek-lite.com/index.php?forums/diy-myog.28/&ref=aftermath.site) if you are attempting to dive into MYOG (make your own gear).
- [Origami forum](https://snkhan.co.uk/forum/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [DangerousThings](https://forum.dangerousthings.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the biohacking forum.
- [Pizzamaking.com](https://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) your one stop for Pizza.
- [eGulletForums ](https://forums.egullet.org/?ref=aftermath.site)was the big cooking and food forum. The site has seen better days but is a huge repository of information about food. [Anthony Bourdain was an active poster there](https://forums.egullet.org/profile/863-bourdain/content/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Zoo Chat](https://www.zoochat.com/community/?ref=aftermath.site), the forum about zoos and conservation.
- [Fishing.com ](https://www.finishing.com/letters/?ref=aftermath.site)for fishing. Or also [in-depthoutdoors](https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Wanna get into](https://www.finishing.com/letters/?ref=aftermath.site) making maps? [Cartographer’s Guild](https://www.cartographersguild.com/content.php?s=2c6bf3146fbcbdad2ad2bd22c93d7e28&ref=aftermath.site).
- Fragrance nerds love the [fragrantica](https://www.fragrantica.com/board/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) board.
- [Designaddict is a furniture forum](https://designaddict.com/community/?ref=aftermath.site), specifically European design stuff.
- [Badger and Blade](https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is a great resource for shaving, particularly if you’re trying to find the good razors or shaving cream.
- For BBQ there’s the [Smoking Meat](http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forum and the [BBQ Brethren](https://www.bbq-brethren.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forum. There’s also forums devoted to specific brands like the [Pit Boss](https://www.pitbossforum.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forum and [TVWBB](https://tvwbb.com/?ref=aftermath.site) (The Virtual Webber Bulletin Board).
- Stopmotionanimation.com went offline September 28th 2024 as I was writing this piece and people are [currently archiving it](https://web.archive.org/web/20240301152354/https://stopmotionanimation.com/).
- For survival stuff: [Bushcraft USA](https://bushcraftusa.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) and [Bushcraft UK](https://bushcraftuk.com/community/?ref=aftermath.site). Bushcraft OZ shut down in 2023 and its [archives are here](https://web.archive.org/web/20230408081857/https://bushcraftoz.com/). I have read some drama about Bushcraft USA [trademarking](http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2014/07/bushcraft-usa-trademarks-word-bushcraft.html?m=1&ref=aftermath.site) the term “Bushcraft” but am otherwise not up to date on it.
- [Britmodeller ](https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/&ref=aftermath.site)is for model airplanes but there are gunpla tips in there.
- The [FineScale Modeler](https://cs.finescale.com/f/?ref=aftermath.site) forums for scale modeling.
- [Model Train Forum.](https://www.modeltrainforum.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Amtrak Unlimited ](https://www.amtraktrains.com/?ref=aftermath.site)for Amtrak discussion.
- For RC cars, [RC Tech](https://www.rctech.net/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for racers specifically.
- [Tamiya Club](https://tamiyaclub.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the RC car forum specifically for the Tamiya brand.
- [RC Crawler](https://www.rccrawler.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) is specifically for 4WD RC Cars.
- [Degreeforum](http://degreeforum.net/mybb/?ref=aftermath.site) and [Degreeinfo ](https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?ref=aftermath.site)for getting degrees.
- [Ip Camera Talk](https://ipcamtalk.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is one of the more popular forums for both home security cameras and setting up an NVR, although I have read at least one [competing subreddit that hates them](https://www.reddit.com/r/homedefense/comments/am6txb/beware%5Fof%5Funsound%5Fsecurity%5Fadvice%5Fand%5Fthe%5Fpetty/?ref=aftermath.site). It can get reactionary, which is unsurprising, but I think it is very funny that they have an almost 800 page thread that is still going on from January 2020 called “[Pandemic threat? Anyone else concerned?](https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/pandemic-threat-anyone-else-concerned.45227/?ref=aftermath.site)”
- If you are into pens then the [Fountain Pen Network](https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the best English language one. While I won’t dig too deep into non-English forums, [PenBBS ](http://penbbs.com/forum.php?ref=aftermath.site)is the Chinese language one.

### Hyper-Niche Obsessions (Questionable)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/credit-card-forum-1.jpg)

The credit forum has a sub-forum where guys post their credit cards in their forum sigs. Credit: myFICO

Not all forums are in the service of something useful, so here are the ones that are at best neutral.

- [MyFico](https://ficoforums.myfico.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for credit. There’s an entire subforum on there of people who post about credit cards and all of them have which [credit cards they have in their forum sig](https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/bd-p/creditcard?ref=aftermath.site).
- For personal investment there is [Bogleheads](https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php?ref=aftermath.site), a forum inspired by [Jack Bogle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%5FC.%5FBogle?ref=aftermath.site) who founded The Vanguard Group. The person who mentioned the forum highlighted [a 2007 thread](https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5934&ref=aftermath.site) in which an econ student applies a semi-risky strategy in a very risky way.
- [FlyerTalk ](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) forums are for gaming flights and frequent flier programs. It can be fairly useful if you are trying to get a cheap flight and they have deals alerts, but my understanding is that frequent flier deals just aren’t what they used to be.
- If you are into Chicago-based cuisine, LTH is the primary forum about food in [Chicago](https://www.lthforum.com/bb/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [ABC Homeopathy](https://abchomeopathy.com/forums.php?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for homeopathy, [which is quack stuff](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Z7KeNCi7g&ref=aftermath.site) but it can be fun people-watching.
- [T Shirt Slayer](https://tshirtslayer.com/forum?ref=aftermath.site) is specifically about metal T-shirts, although it appears to be only intermittently active.
- [Air Raid Sirens Forum.](https://www.airraidsirens.net/forums/?ref=aftermath.site)
- [Nation States](https://forum.nationstates.net/?ref=aftermath.site) forum.
- [Two Plus Two](https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the poker forum.
- [Builder Society](https://www.buildersociety.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a digital marketing forum. [BlackHatWorld](https://www.blackhatworld.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for SEO, marketing, spamdexing and botnetting, often to an unscrupulous degree. I would not go there but it’s worth mentioning.
- Of the vaping forums, [Vaping Underground](https://vapingunderground.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the biggest one. [Planet of the Vapes](https://forum.planetofthevapes.co.uk/?ref=aftermath.site) is the UK one.
- The best destination for getting out of a parking ticket in the UK was PePiPoo, but has since been taken down ([archive here](https://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/a-new-beginning/msg22/?PHPSESSID=uqdseftcalvjhv6ca4h63tjp7h&ref=aftermath.site#new)). The site apparently got reformed [here](https://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/a-new-beginning/msg22/?PHPSESSID=uqdseftcalvjhv6ca4h63tjp7h&ref=aftermath.site#new) as FTLA (Free Ticket Legal Advice).
- [Above the Law](https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=23&ref=aftermath.site) for lawyers and [Top Law Schools is for law students to post deranged stuff](https://www.top-law-schools.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Paranormalis](https://paranormalis.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the paranormal and time traveler forum.
- [Coalpail](https://coalpail.com/coal-forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is a forum for Anthracite and Bituminous coal enthusiasts.

### Other

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/screenshot-2024-10-08-152747-1.png)

Something Awful: I hear it's better since LowTax died! Credit: Something Awful

- You have to mention [Something Awful](https://forums.somethingawful.com/?ref=aftermath.site) because while it does have some genuinely vile parts, it’s apparently gotten much better since LowTax died and also because big portions of it have useful niche info.
- Niche off boards on 4chan would occasionally have good stuff, but that’s harder to recommend with a straight face on account of it being a cesspool but also just difficult to sift through and anonymous, which runs counter to the idea of most forums as a resource. Moreover it has always just given me a headache to look at it even on a good day.
- [BoingBoing’s ](https://bbs.boingboing.net/?ref=aftermath.site)forums are worth mentioning.
- [Metafilter](https://www.metafilter.com/?ref=aftermath.site).

### Sex Stuff

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/lovers-lab-crop-1.jpg)

Lovers Lab is where you go if you wanna mod a werewolf that has sex with you into Skyrim. Credit: LoversLab

I’m not going to link to porn forums because that’s really just kinda tacky, but there are some sex-adjacent forums that are interesting unto themselves.

- The largest porn forum is [adultdvdtalk](https://forum.adultdvdtalk.com/?ref=aftermath.site) (NSFW, obviously), primarily when it comes to commercial pornography.
- I have been informed by a person who makes technologically advanced buttplugs that there is a forum for people that sync their toys to porn. [I will direct you to the post about it](https://bsky.app/profile/buttplug.engineer/post/3l4zrlfic472y?ref=aftermath.site) for attribution instead of linking directly.
- There is an entire forum dedicated exclusively to porn modding in video games called [Lovers Lab](https://www.loverslab.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Eka's Portal](https://aryion.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) is an infamous furry vore website.
- [Quicksand Fans](https://www.quicksandfans.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=c1bf325cc0a90054b0cbce4243c2ac66&ref=aftermath.site) for quicksand fetishes.

## Exercise, Training, Competitive Sports Forums

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/bodybuilding-shutdown-1.jpg)

This is what greets you when you try to visit the bodybuilding.com forums now. Goodnight sweet prince. Credit: Bodybuilding.com

People who train their bodies or in a competitive sport love posting on forums. Here are some of the most notorious.

- Bodybuilding.com was so gargantuan it barely needs mentioning. But as of writing this, I have learned that the forums have now officially [shut down as of last month](https://www.reddit.com/r/FunBodybuilding/comments/1fsw7sv/bodybuildingcom%5Fforums%5Fhave%5Fbeen%5Fshut%5Fdown%5Fforever/?ref=aftermath.site). I will never forget its members disputing how many [days are in a week is the stuff of legends](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/body-building-forum-days-in-a-week-dispute?ref=aftermath.site). The reformed forum is apparently [newmisc.com](http://newmisc.com/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [Let’s Run](https://www.letsrun.com/forum?ref=aftermath.site) is the main running forum, and I have heard it’s both incredibly useful and can also be deeply toxic at times, which is not unusual for a forum.
- [Golf Club Atlas](https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/board,1.0.html?ref=aftermath.site) for golf courses specifically.
- [Billiards forum](https://forums.azbilliards.com/forums/-/list?ref=aftermath.site) is where you go for billiards.
- [Disc Golf Course Review](https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site).
- [GolfWRX ](https://www.golfwrx.com/?ref=aftermath.site)and [The Hackers Forum](https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) are golf forums.
- [BowlingChat.net](http://bowlingchat.net/?ref=aftermath.site) is a bowling forum.

### Sports Forums

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/go-birds-2-1.png)

Not a sports guy but I will say Go Birds. Credit: The Philadelphia Eagles Forum

I am going to be honest, sports generally are a weak point for me. My understanding is that this is one subject where a lot of stuff has moved to other platforms like Discord. That said, I did reach out to the folks at Defector. Dan McQuade mentioned the [Sports Argument Stadium](https://forums.somethingawful.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=122&ref=aftermath.site) at Something Awful, and [Luis](https://defector.com/author/luis-paez-pumar?ref=aftermath.site) credited the college football boards on IGN as an inspiration. Another suggestion from Dan McQuade: "Oh people loved the Eagles message board. Like on the official site. Great community developed there. Not kidding. smart and informed.”

- [Bigfooty ](https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site)for Aussie football.
- [HFboards](https://forums.hfboards.com/?ref=aftermath.site) for hockey.

### Gun, Weapon and Military Forums

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/secret-projects-forum-1.png)

Where nerds talk about those strange planes that never got built. Credit: Secret Projects Forum.

I have found a shocking amount of practical information from gun and military forums despite not wanting to own a gun or to deal with a huge portion of gun owners.

- I have stumbled into useful information about military clothing on the [AR15](https://www.ar15.com/?ref=aftermath.site) forum. I do not endorse it because it’s obviously a reactionary site, but gun forum stuff is shockingly useful if you wanna learn how to [refinish something](https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Refinishing/19/?ref=aftermath.site). I have also stumbled across it when looking up deadstock Patagonia military surplus jackets.
- [Blade Forums](https://www.bladeforums.com/?ref=aftermath.site) are apparently the big non-culinary knife forums. Similarly, I have ended up there despite not owning a switchblade or gravity knife.
- [Secret Projects](https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/?ref=aftermath.site) forum are the aviation forums specifically devoted to lost or unbuilt military projects.
- [Archery Talk](https://www.archerytalk.com/?ref=aftermath.site). Has a good marketplace which is useful because many marketplaces will not allow you to sell bows.
- [The Great War Forum ](https://www.greatwarforum.org/?ref=aftermath.site)is the forum about WW1.

### Car and Vehicle Forums

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2025/10/sportrac-1.jpg)

Are you the owner of a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac for whatever reason? This is your forum Credit: Sportrac.org

I don’t own a car or even want one, but I would be remiss if I did not mention some car-adjacent forums. A lot of them have sadly gone under, but the ones that remain and are active are unsurprisingly very niche.

- [VW Vortex](https://www.vwvortex.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is a fairly active Volkswagen forum.
- The [Final Gear forums](https://forums.finalgear.com/?ref=aftermath.site) are the big *Top Gear* related forums.
- [The DIY Electric Car](https://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) forum is self explanatory and actually about that. Of the car forums it is probably the one that’s the most impressive and fun to lurk in.
- [SportTrac.org](https://sporttrac.org/?ref=aftermath.site) is a forum for the Ford Sport Trac, which is for a kinda bad car that has not been made in 12 years. It is still fairly active.
- [PriusChat](https://priuschat.com/forum/?ref=aftermath.site) for Prius owners.
- [Leasehackr ](https://forum.leasehackr.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is specifically about automotive leases.
- [Ih8mud](https://forum.ih8mud.com/?ref=aftermath.site) is the best resource for [Toyota Landcruisers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota%5FLand%5FCruiser?ref=aftermath.site).
- If you own a Sprinter van, you gotta go to [Sprinter Source](https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?ref=aftermath.site).
- If you wanna post about the [Kawasaki KLR650,](https://www.klr650.net/forums/?ref=aftermath.site) do I have a forum for you.
- [The AARoads forum](https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) is the forum for roads including such topics as “ [Highways You Have Clinched](https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=1224.0&ref=aftermath.site).”
- [The Bimmerpost forums](https://www.6post.com/forums/index.php?ref=aftermath.site) are specifically centered around BMWs.
- [Rennlist ](https://rennlist.com/?ref=aftermath.site)is the forum for Porsches.

Those are just some of the more interesting forums I could find that are still active. I don’t assume that all of them will live to even the end of the year, but I think it is worth remembering that culture is still being generated in independent places that aren’t closed gardens owned by tech companies. It’s important that we cultivate these wells of knowledge, lest we lose them forever, in favor of spaces far outside of our control.