I've been working with Anvilfolk and a few other people on a project called
Agora for some time now. It's basically a forum, except instead of linear threads, posts can be in reply to any number of other posts and can have any number of other posts in reply to them. I think we've gotten it about to the point where we can begin to test it out, or consider doing so. Right now, we've got a basic client working: You can view, navigate, edit and add posts. You can't add new threads without directly editing the database, which might be for the best - I want to keep things manageable, as we don't have a proper moderating system either. Posts also don't show users in the client, though they do save user information for the purpose of editing permission and so I can see such in the database when moderating. I also think this is for the best- Not being able to see who posted a thing means people are limited to arguing with the post, not the person. Getting the client to run is also a lot of work, you have to download, link and compile three different java projects, and then run two of them in order. I could probably put together a precompiled version that you could simply download and run, if people are interested.
That said, the basic functionality is implemented. Would people be willing to consider a moderated debate/discussion, to test things out? I would be happy to play moderator. The rules would probably be fairly simple, no insults, no trolling, etc, etc. We can discuss any topic people desire, though I'd like to stick to one topic, for now.
So: Are you interested or not? If not, what do you think needs to be done first?