What forums should all forums have?

What sections and forums do you think all forums should have?

Announcements, suggestions, feedback, chit-chat,... ?

 

there should always be a section where announcements and rules can go in.
on one of my forums there is a section for the rules and important announcements, and another section for ideas and information on using the forum.

i always prefer to have an off topic section, and a section for introductions

and a staff room, but the members dont see that

 

an "Introduce Yourself" section is always a must!!

 

Introduction forums make good icebreakers.

Some people try to get away with not having an 'off topic' forum. They fail.

Separating out politics and religion is often appreciated.

Rules and announcements are sometimes best left discussed - it creates a more open atmosphere.

 

Definately News and Events (Announcements), an introduce, and a staff area that is private.

 

Off topic is a MUST have. All the others have been covered above.

 

I would say...
announcements
introduce yourself
trash (to put threads that you don't want in public, but like to archive in case you need to look something up later)
feedback
and then I like to see a news section for the type of forum I'm registered at. Like if you site is about ford cars, I'd like to see a section discussing the latest news about that topic.
off-topic/general

 

Off topic and branches of that.

 

Site and Forum announcements

Membership Information with test area,forum conduct,introduce yourself and similar stuff as subforums.

Off Topic

Ask the Moderators

Moderators Forum (not visible to the public or regular members)

 

A staff forum and archive forum along with a reported posts/infractions forum, an introductions forum and an announcements forum and also an off topic forum are always a must.

 

I think all forums must have off topic and an introduction page. With the "off topic page, members can have a chance to talk things that are unrelated to the forums. This makes a poster comfortable while he is inside your site. Right?

 

Off Topic is a must. Every forum that has a subject that will eventually get boring must have a off topic section. Some days people will get tired of posting about gaming and will find a niche in your forum about other things. It happens to every forum so its a good thing to keep at your sides.

 

We have a test forum where noobs can practice embedding videos, images etc. It keeps poorly formed posts away from the main forums. I use it myself, it's a great way to introduce new features such as a new BB code effect without making a big deal about it. People's natural curiosity does the work for me. An added benefit is that established posters nearly always come along and help the noob so it fosters a very welcoming and helpful ethos amongst the posters.

 

Have a lounge where people express their feelings and something to introduce yourself.