How are groups different from forums?

I just saw the "groups" section. What's the different between groups and forums? Can anyone start a group on any topic?

Thanks in advance.

I'll wait for Lynn & Co. to give you a definitive answer, but it appears to me that the groups are not for conversations, but to post useful pieces of content. Note the entries do not have reply capability. It seems like a good enough idea, though I fail to see the need to join a group unless you are posting something, since non-members can view the postings anyway. I think Lynn's experimenting. It might work out well.

--Wade Watson

You can reply to the conversation in groups, you just have to click through to the individual group to do so. Groups are basically niched down conversation areas. I believe they are open to everyone to start one and to participate in. I'm sure as more people migrate over from the old board we'll be seeing a lot activity in the groups area.

I think you have to be a member of the group in order to reply.

If I start a group should it be "public" or "moderated"?

I would go with public so that others can join in and have lots of discussion. I'm not sure exactly what happens in a moderated group. I created the freelancers group and I went with public, not sure if any of the other groups went with moderated or not.

This new forum is full social networking capable, like Facebook has groups - so does this forum.

To answer your question: anyone can start a group, but the group's topic should be internet or affiliate marketing related, to keep it on topic with the forum.

Anyone can then join a group, and you have to join a group to then reply to the discussions within a specific group.

So Groups are a way to build niche communities here within the forum.