If you asked me why I used WordPress instead of pure forum, it is because I need to have a CMS to publish news, blog posts, and articles and allow member to comment. We have it on WordPress right?
Thanks to Andy Staines who creates a plugin for wordpress named “Simple Forum (SF)”. The installation is easy as usual plugin install. SF is using WordPress User Management for the membership system as well as user registration. To allow user registration, you need to tick “Anyone can register” underWordPress Option.
SF has a feature called “post linking” which provides a possibility to create forum topic posts based on blog entries and vice versa. Only members who are allowed to post on blog have this option while making a new topic post. RSS also available to ease you in placingforum feed in your blog.
You need to try it to feel its power. Download link is available at http://www.stuff.yellowswordfish.com/.
Here is the screenshoot of my forum.