Now that the general aspects of boards have been discussed, it is time to get into details. There are six different types of blanket/umbrella forums detailed in this guide:
 
Tech Support/How-To boards sometimes function as Q&A for the technologically naive. At other times, they are great places to figure out how to cook a proper souffle or change the oil in an '86 Mustang convertible.  One of the most successful tech support forums is Apple Discussions.
 
Political boards allow people to discuss/argue/vent on the latest political problems of the day as well as how the past informs the present.  In the case of these boards, certain sites may cater to a particular political leaning or school of thought.  Debate Politics Forums does not, however.
 
Religious/Philosophical boards are where people discuss different aspects of religion, specific sects of religion, and how the human mind works, including the classic existential quandaries of life.  Maintaining a certain amount of respect when posting on these boards is important, since religion is a huge hot-button issue for many people.  Intelligent, informed writing is crucial to being taken seriously.  Religious Forums is a good example of this sub-genre.