Threads or Conversations: What is the best mode for Online Discussions
Expert-talk
Originally uploaded by diskostu.
When it comes to designing software that supports discussions like weblog comments, e-mail list archives, online forum software, issue trackers an important question is how discussions should be represented. One option is to show a full discussion thread which can evolve into a massive tree of threads like it is done by digg.com. The other option is to represent discussions as flat conversations like most weblog software or Google's Mail application does. Another fine example of discussions as conversations is Vennt, where I have one beta invite left, so comment if you would like to test it.
Signal versus Noise discusses this topic, too: Dealing with comment threads at blogs. This blog entry cites Joel Spolsky, who argues for conversations, because this helps focusing the discussion on one topic.
I think, the correct solution depends on the mode of discussion. If the number of participants is small, limited and defined like in most real-world conversations or meetings and there is some goal to reach, conversations are the best solution.
But for open discussions with a potential large number of participants like these going on at digg.com or slashdot.org, threaded discussions are best, because they allow to lead sub-conversations and structure the discussion. Imagine a large place in the real world where everyone could shout his opinion - no real discussion would be possible - discussion threads help you finding the one you are answering to.
This article is a part of Lars Trieloff's weblog. If you like this article please subscribe to my feed and get automatically notified of updates.
I am Product Manager for Collaboration and Digital Asset Management at