Forums meant specifically for college students now have a new competitor.
The Web site www.cheapbooks.com, which sells college textbooks, has added a forum designed specifically for students.
David Tiberio, founder of cheapbooks.com, said he believes college students need a place to connect with their peers.
"There are a lot of different forums and they are all run by different moderators," Tiberio said, "but there aren't many that cater to college students or graduating high school students coming into college."
He said the forum is designed to help create a bond between people with similar interests.
"I want to expand upon different areas of being a student, like their major or intramurals," Tiberio said. "Other student forums are organized by geographic regions. Students don't want that. They want to talk to people they share the same interests in."
Tiberio's site is not unique in separating people based on their interests. Web sites like www.studentdump.com and www.campushook.com format their forums in the same manner.
Maggie McNew, a sophomore advertising major from Uvalde, said the site would not appeal to her.
"I don't do the whole blogging thing." McNew said. "I like to read stuff like that, but I don't comment on them."
Austin Riefenstahl, a sophomore international business major from Grapevine, said he would try the new forum.
"It's something to pass the time," Riefenstahl said. "We spend enough time on Facebook (www.facebook.com) and Myspace (www.myspace.com); what's one more?"
Tiberio said he believes the forum is still too new to separate everybody according to their interests.
"I don't want to do it too quickly," Tiberio said. "I want to do it little by little. I tried it on a trial basis, but it thinned the board too much. The board is only three or four weeks old. Six months from now, I expect to see a lot more activity and then we will get it spit by interest."
He said the forum is adding 15 to 30 new people every day.
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