Discourse 3.0 is here: The new version of the free forum and discussion software includes a live chat, among other things. Administrators of a page can create it, and if desired, different channels can be set up for topics. Matching the chat, users can now set their status, for example to centrally notify other users of their absence.
Also new is a sidebar that can be customized. Depending on their preferences, users can pin categories, tags and chat channels as well as direct messages here. Likewise, administrators can store a default list that applies to new members and guests. Discourse will now help you with automatic tips on the most important features.
Discourse admins can quickly set up the new chat channels. You can then pin them to the new sidebar if you wish.
The developers have also added a notifications menu where Discourse collects and categorizes notifications from the system. If desired, certain notifications can be marked as read based on their type – for example received likes.
The hashtag system has also been overhauled by the project to make it easier for users to find channels, categories, and tags by their name. Further details on the new version 3.0 can be found in the announcement. Discourse appears as open source software under the GPLv2, alternatively the developers offer a commercial cloud version including support.
(fo)
